In Memphis, Dr. Angela Nichols has been building a legacy. Recently honored with the 2025 New Memphis Educatory of Excellence Award honoring exceptional educators and the 2025 AC Wharton, Jr. Literacy Award for her leadership in promoting literacy, she has spent her career making sure children not only learn to read, but also gain the confidence and access needed to thrive. Her path from substitute teacher to principal, mentor, and district-wide leader and advocate reveals a deep belief in the power of literacy to open doors for every child, no matter their background.
Dr. Angela Nichols’ work begins with listening. She is known for spotting strengths in others — whether it’s a classroom teacher, a cafeteria worker, or a student who has yet to discover their potential — and finding ways to help them grow. This natural skill became the foundation for her success in coaching, development, and educational leadership.
The Journey
Her teaching journey began unexpectedly while working as a substitute at one of her former elementary schools. A principal recognized her professionalism and rapport with students, encouraging her to interview for a full-time teaching role. Hired on the spot for a fifth-grade class, she navigated her first year with borrowed textbooks and a determination to connect with students and parents. That determination has stayed with her; she still keeps in touch with students of her first class.
Her education at UT Martin and the University of Memphis provided both challenges and motivation. Facing bias and doubt from some professors only strengthened her resolve to ensure that no student under her guidance would be judged by appearance, background, or zip code. She carried this mindset into her classrooms and later into leadership roles, emphasizing individualized instruction through small-group strategies while maintaining high grade-level expectations.
Parenthood deepened her literacy mission. Seeing her own daughter become an avid reader before kindergarten inspired Dr. Nichols to create a reading initiative at Willow Oaks Elementary aimed at having all kindergarten students reading by year’s end.
As principal, she relied on data, community engagement, and creative advocacy; most memorably convincing the Peabody Hotel to bring its famous ducks to her school for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record annual event.
Award-Winning Educator
Recognition has followed her efforts. Receiving the AC Wharton, Jr. Literacy Award was, in her words, both an honor and a humbling surprise. For Dr. Nichols, the award affirms that even work that seems small in scale can have a citywide impact. Dr. Nichols also received the 2025 New Memphis Educatory of Excellence Award honoring exceptional educators.
The Vision
Her vision extends beyond the school walls. She has advocated for bringing programs like Books from Birth and family reading nights into school directly, ensuring families who rarely leave their community still have access. She stresses that equity in literacy means removing barriers so every child, from urban neighborhoods to rural areas, can benefit.
Even after leaving the principalship, Dr. Nichols continues to mentor, tutor, and coach. Her students still seek her out in hallways, asking when she’ll return, a testament to the relationships she builds. Looking ahead, she aims to keep moving the literacy needle by coaching teachers and leaders, engaging parents as a child’s first educators, and expanding access to resources.
For Dr. Nichols, literacy is the key to opportunity. And in Memphis, she’s making sure more children have that key in their hands.
