About Me....







Educational Background

I have been the library media specialist at Omaha Nation Public School since August, 1999.  Before coming to Macy, Nebraska, I had already spent 20 years as an educator. After graduating from Greeley Central High School  in Greeley, Colorado, I returned to my "roots" and graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska with a major in elementary education and a minor in communication arts.  I was known as Vicki Nichols back then!

I got my first teaching position in 1979.  I taught 3rd grade for a few years and later "moved up" to teaching 4th grade.  While I was an elementary classroom teacher, I earned my master's degree in elementary education from Wayne State College. 

I taught 4th grade for several years, and then had an amazing opportunity to teach in Australia for a year.  So, for the entire calendar year of 1992, I lived in Cooma, Australia, and taught a composite class of 3rd and 4th graders at Cooma North.  My greatest help there came from Marg Watt, the librarian, who gave me the desire to come home and begin working on a library science endorsement. 

I began working as a library media specialist while I worked on my endorsement.  I completed my endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa - Cedar Falls, Iowa in December of 1994.   My first position involved supervising and teaching library skills at four K-4 libraries, as well as teaching one more class at a fifth school.  That first year, I met with over 1,000 students each week.  I knew I would be happier if I did not have to travel between multiple buildings where I had little opportunity to really get to know the kids.  Omaha Nation was the ideal position for me -- one K-12 library with no travel between buildings!

When I arrived at Omaha Nation in 1999, the library was in the process of becoming automated, and needed some "remodeling".  You might enjoy seeing the transformation here.  Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Contreras helped me with the transformation, and will always have my thanks.  I know I have found my home - I love the staff and students here. 

Family Background

I was born in Ellendale, North Dakota.  Shortly after my birth, my family moved to Wayne, Nebraska, where my father, Dr. Joe Nichols, was a member of the faculty of the college there.  We also lived in Fremont, Nebraska where my dad was the assistant superintendent of schools.  We then moved to Colorado where I lived in Longmont, Mead, and finally Greeley where my dad was on the faculty of UNC.  My mom had always put her education on hold while she raised her children, but then she returned to college and received a BS degree from the University of Northern Colorado. I grew up with two older brothers.  Mike is now a doctor in Portland, and David is a computer specialist in Florida.   My parents retired to Florida, so I have to travel far and wide to visit my family.

I  have two sons, Brian (Gabriel Phoenix Nichols) and Timothy.  Brian is 25 and stationed in Germany with the Air Force, and Timothy is 22, married to Maggie, and is working at Wells Blue Bunny in Lemars, Iowa.  Tim and Maggie have a son, Joseph Michael, but I call him JoeBob.

Special Interests

I have always enjoyed travel.  I have visited or at least driven through most of the states in the United States, and have also been to Spain and Africa.  One of my favorite experiences was a one year exchange with a family in Australia.  My family and I exchanged jobs and homes with another family in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia.  We spent the entire year of 1992 over there, and enjoyed every moment.  While there, our family visited Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock in the Red Center, and Melbourne, all while working and living the Australian life.  Our exchange was arranged through the University of Nebraska Lincoln.  You can learn more about it here. 

I also enjoy working with computers, and maintain a website for a local auctioneer, Don French.  I have several craft projects in process.  Sometimes my ideas are more grand than reality, although I did finally finished a quilt for my son, Brian, made out of the jeans he wore as a little boy.  Tim is still waiting for his quilt.  It may be a looooong wait, but it is still on my "intend to do" list. 

I am a true dog lover.  I have two - Sydney is a sheltie, and Hershey is a shitzhu.  Both are males, and are very loving and loyal.  I was raised around dogs my entire life, so I can't imagine life any other way.  I tend to get frustrated when they shed, or drag mud into the house, but the happiness they bring me outweighs those negatives. 

I hope it goes without saying that I love reading and books.  Since I live about 30 miles away from Macy, I have discovered the joy of audio books, and use my commute time to read through sound.   I collect anything related to Eric Carle, and have almost every book he has ever written or illustrated.  Many of his earlier works are out of print, so it was fun finding the elusive ones.  I also have a small collection of pop-up books.  My favorite pop-up book author is Robert Sabuda.  If you have never seen one of his books, you are missing out on an amazing paper artist.

To be continued...someday...


Umonhon Nation Public School
P.O. Box 280 1 Main
Macy, NE  68039


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