Noteworthy: The Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has named Nichols the 2015 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
Residence: Richland
Age: 41
Family: wife, Amy, and children, Ryland, 10, and Addilyn, 7
Education: bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock University and master's degree in health and physical education from Eastern Kentucky University
Occupation: health and physical education teacher at Deer Lakes School District's Curtisville Primary Center
Background: From 1999 to 2008, Nichols was an athletic director and kinesiology instructor at various Penn State campuses. He became a health and physical education teacher in the Deer Lakes School District because he wanted to help combat childhood obesity, he said. Nichols is the treasurer of the Allegheny County Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; a volunteer leader of small health and fitness groups at his church; and a volunteer with Kids of Steel, a Pittsburgh Marathon program in which students earn points for exercising and making healthy food choices.
Quote: “(Health) is a life changer. When people are lying on their death bed, they're concerned about their health. And what I do can prolong their healthy lives.”
