Melanie Nichols retired in 2010 from Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs, AR. She served as ASMSA Mathematics Chairman for 14 years and ASMSA Dean of Academic Affairs for 4 years. She currently serves as an Advanced Placement Calculus consultant with the Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She also runs the Cancer Support Ministry at Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Hot Springs, AR. She is married to Dr. Jerry Nichols, has six adult children, ten grandchildren and a toy poodle, Mimi.
Being named a Milken Educator was a large part of my academic growing process. Since 1997 I have gained confidence in my educational views and have become adamant in my belief that students must at all times still be considered children. They depend on us much more than just for an education. We are role models and are often quasi parents. Our responsibility is not only in providing the most relevant and demanding curriculum. Our responsibility is also to help create civic-minded and world-minded young people. What an awesome responsibility!
1982 University of Central Arkansas, B.A.
