Meet Ms. Nichols

My name is Amanda Nichols and I am the Art Teacher at Oakwood High School in Fithian, Illinois. I joined the Oakwood Family in 2017. I teach the following classes: Art I, Art II, Art III, Art IV, and Portfolio Development. In the past, we also offered an Art Appreciation class. I am the Art Club Advisor and GSA Sponsor as well. 

I have enjoyed creating art since I was a small child, and I feel it plays a large role in our lives every day- from the shoes on our feet to the way we decorate our homes. In addition to taking multiple art classes, during my time in high school, I was given the opportunity to attend Summer Art Camp at EIU for multiple years through awards I received. Because of this, I was able to learn a variety of tools and techniques that I now teach my students. It is my goal to offer my students the ability to learn about a wide range of media as they progress through their own art journeys. I attended Eastern Illinois University and focused on Art Education. I graduated from EIU for the first time in 2004. In 2024, I completed the Master’s Program in Art Education at EIU.

My classroom environment is a calm and inviting safe space for students to explore their own identity and to learn about diversity- in hopes of creating understanding and acceptance of those who are different than ourselves. My goals are to not only inspire students but to empower them through art education. I wish to spark curiosity- to make them look more closely at the mundane and find that there is often more than meets the eye.

I enjoy creating new and exciting learning experiences for my students, but when I am not doing that I enjoy spending time with my own children and our miniature dog rescue. Many of our dogs are seniors and I hope to make their time left as happy and comfortable as possible. This is something that is very important to me.