Edmond Rotary Club honored longtime Ida Freeman Elementary School teacher David Nichols with its highest honor, internationally – an honorary Paul Harris Fellow.
The recognition is named for Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. The presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian or educational programs.
Pictured left to right: David Nichols, Ida Freeman and Keith Kersten, Rotarian
Rotarians can designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation. In doing so, the Rotary club donates a $1,000 on the individual’s behalf, in this case, Edmond Rotary Club. The donation is made to international programs and projects. One example of such a project is providing artificial limbs for 25 disabled persons in Calcutta, India.
Originally of Sapulpa, Nichols has been an elementary teacher 33 years, the bulk of the time spent at Ida Freeman Elementary. In 2010, he was selected Edmond’s “Teacher of the Year.” He has a bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma State University and Master’s from St. Paul School of Theology. Nichols and his wife Tish have been married 34 years and have five grown children.
David is the founder and has been the coach of the Ida Freeman Chess Team since 1997. During that time, Ida Freeman teams have claimed 33 State Championships and the 2014 National Championship. His newest venture is establishing Cara Farms with his wife in Edmond, which will eventually produce fresh fruit and vegetables for local food pantries, schools and friends.
“As his Rotary Reader for 16 years for fifth grade, I have first-hand experience that David does an outstanding job not only in educating his students, but teaching them life lessons and preparing them for their next step of their journey in middle school. David truly made an impactful difference in his student’s lives,” said Keith Kersten, who presented the award.
Nichols was designated to receive the recognition as a special expression of appreciation from The Rotary Club of Edmond for his service to Ida Freeman Elementary and its students, as a dedicated teacher, and the founder and coach of the Ida Freeman Chess Team.