The bell has rung, the hallway quieted, and Scott Nichols is in his classroom — not just surrounded by historical dates and government charts, but by the energy of connection. A teacher of history, government, and economics, Nichols found his way to the front of the class later in life, trading a childhood dream for a passion he discovered in his 30s.

“So I got into teaching late, in my 30s, and it’s kind of a career change for me, but I discovered that I really enjoyed history and government,” Nichols said. “I just wanted to, you know, spread some of that passion to younger students and younger kids.”

It wasn’t always the plan for Nichols to be a teacher. Since high school, he has held a variety of jobs.

“When I was in high school, [teaching] might have been the furthest thing from me. I wanted to be a firefighter,” Nichols said. “But I’ve done a number of other jobs between then and when I became a teacher, and teaching is by far the thing I’ve enjoyed the most.”

Now, years into his career, Nichols finds the deepest satisfaction not just in the content, but in seeing his students suddenly grasp a complex idea. He teaches not only history but also economics, which often provides the most visible breakthroughs.

“I think, you know, when I’m trying to think of a specific memory, I have so many,” Nichols said. “But in the classroom, it’s the ‘aha moments’, right? Lots of times, because I teach economics as well, students suddenly realize and get a concept, and then they connect that to their personal life. I think that’s really exciting for me.”

Students, such as senior Nathan Phillips, describe how Nichols makes history relevant today by connecting it to modern day.

“AP [Government] is a class that very directly draws from contemporary government values and politics,” Phillips said. “Because of that, he frequently opens the class up to discussion to connect current values to the present day.”

Nichols’ commitment to fostering connections and applying concepts to real life extends beyond the classroom walls and into the airwaves as a co-host of the podcast “Home Sweet Home.” The show, focused on relationships and intentional living, started with a colleague before Nichols stepped in.

“Mr. McCall, who used to teach here, he started that podcast several years ago, and he had a partner doing that with him, and that partner decided to retire from that,” Nichols said. “So he asked me if I would do that with him. It’s been a fun experiment.”

In his classroom, students like senior Nainika Ronanki feel the effects of this dedicated approach. Ronanki describes his teaching as engaging, inclusive, and knowledgeable, noting how he uses relatable examples to make abstract concepts clear.

“The best class discussion we’ve had was discussing the current state of the economy,” Ronanki said. “This conversation stood out as it had literal real life applications but it also helped to clear up misconceptions I had about the current economic state — overall, an incredibly helpful and amazing class conversation.”

For Ronanki, Nichols’ class isn’t just about the subject matter; it’s about a more profound type of learning fostered by the environment he creates. The emphasis on application helps make the curriculum stick.

“I think I’ll remember how he managed to make economics fun when I had no interest in it beforehand,” Ronanki said. “I’ll remember quite a few economics concepts because of how he applies the concepts to our own lives, I’ll continue making these connections as I further my career.”

Phillips describes the environment as a happy medium between learning about the government to learning how to live a happy life.

“Although the class itself is mainly focused within the roots of learning the history of governance in America’s past, we also learn how those principles can apply to our own lives outside of class,” Phillips said. “Nichols also builds personal connections with each student that makes students engaged in learning and also feel safe in his environment.”

Nichols is well aware that life’s complexities require more than just rote knowledge; they require clarity and perspective, which he seeks from his own mentors. He models the kind of grounded relationships he advocates for on his podcast and practices in his own daily interactions.

“I see him building strong relationships with his students all the time,” Ronanki said. “Whether it be through always being willing to answer questions or keeping track of his students’ situations, he shows he cares and makes sure that these relationships are strong.”

This article received edits by Emily Logan, Aarushi Rana, and Elise Leavitt.

This story was originally published on Eagle Nation Online on October 16, 2025.