Hello! My name is Matt Nichol, and I am excited to start my first year as an Assistant Principal here at Ashland Elementary. I graduated from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and received my Master’s degree in Education Leadership from George Mason. Before coming to ALES, I was fortunate enough to have had many great teaching and leadership experiences. 

As a teacher, I had many different teaching placements and was able to work with many different students in grades K-12 with different learning styles and abilities. During my last year at Duquesne, I had the opportunity to student teach in Dublin, Ireland. I lived in Dublin for three months and taught in fifth and sixth grade classrooms. In addition to my student teaching experience abroad, I student taught in a 3rd grade classroom back in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After college, I continued working with students as a substitute teacher in six different school districts in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. In addition, I worked as a 5th grade teacher in Elkton, Maryland, and I taught 8th grade math at Benton Middle School.

I’ve had many great leadership experiences that include Administrative Intern at Ashland Elementary, Summer School Principal of Coles Elementary and Loch Lomond Elementary, Summer School Assistant Principal of Montclair Elementary, Math Department Chair and CLT lead at Benton Middle School, and various other leadership experiences.

I firmly believe that every child is entitled to an enriching education. They deserve a professional educator who respects them and genuinely cares about them and their learning. As a teacher, administrator, and lifelong learner, my goal is to inspire my students to pursue continuous improvement and growth. I aim to provide a stimulating learning environment that raises confidence and encourages children to reach their full potential. I’ve handled my past leadership experiences in an efficient and confident manner. I will always have high expectations for students. I take the responsibilities of an educator very seriously and will work hard to develop mutual trust and respect from all stakeholders.