Amanda Nixon is thrilled to return to Strickland, where she previously taught social studies and now returns as the Theatre Director. She previously taught theatre at Rodriguez MS in Denton ISD. 

With a unique background in theatre and history, Nixon brings a storyteller’s mindset to the classroom, helping students understand human experiences across time and place. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas, where she also studied musicology with a focus on opera theatre. She served as assistant director on several opera productions at UNT from 2016 to 2019. Her love for performance and learning has taken her across the globe, having lived in five countries and performed in multiple languages. She believes theatre builds empathy and is passionate about using theatre to give students the tools to connect with their own identities, their communities, and the world around them. 

Locally, she remains active in the arts as a performer, backstage volunteer, and director. She serves on the production board at Theatre Denton, where she recently directed Cinderella and frequently volunteers in productions. 

As a theatre educator, Ms. Nixon fosters a collaborative, inclusive environment where students of all experience levels can grow and shine. This summer, she attended the EdTA Theatre Education Conference in Indiana as a recipient of the Mark & Barbara Smith Discovery Award for Creative Development presented by the Denton Public School Foundation.