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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

Gretchen Nicholson grew up with a natural sense of curiosity. The oldest of two girls in her family, if she wasn’t hanging out with a child from the neighborhood, she and her sister could be found sloshing around in the creek.

“We were always encouraged to explore, and because of that I really did have a wonderful childhood,” said Nicholson.

Growing up in the Winston-Salem area, Nicholson graduated from West Forsyth High School eager to find a degree that allowed her to work with kids.

“Initially my plan was to go into speech pathology and therapy with a degree in communication disorders, however, during my senior year when I was at Western Carolina University, I realized that I wanted to be more in the classroom and explore education,” said Nicholson.

After graduating from Western, she decided to get an add on for special education at Salem College that would allow her the option to help exceptional children too. “The program lasted for two years,” said Nicholson who simultaneously worked as the lead teacher for a 4-year-old daycare class. After completing her program at Salem College, Nicholson began her career in the classroom.

“I started off working in the second grade as a teaching assistant, before going to a school where I helped kids from kindergarten through eighth grade in small groups. I would assist them in whatever was detailed in their Individualized Education Program (IEP),” said Nicholson.

During that time, Nicholson also met her future husband, Doyle. “Karen Matthews was a mentor for new teachers, which I was at that time. When she found out I was not dating anyone at that time, she insisted that there was someone at another school I just had to meet. I didn’t really want to do a blind date, and if it had been anyone but Karen I would have probably said no,” said Nicholson. “But it was Karen, and I reluctantly agreed to it after mulling it over with my sister. When we went out on our first date, I was so relieved and grateful because Karen really knew what she was doing when she put us together. Of course, we had her do a reading at our wedding in 2001.”

Sharing a passion for life, and educating children, Gretchen has enjoyed sharing that journey with Doyle. With over 25 years in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, she has also taught in the Yadkin County School system, Ellis Middle School and is currently teaching at Summit School. 

“I have loved teaching at Summit because I have a wonderful group of colleagues and students. I had actually followed Doyle over there when he retired as a principal from Davie County High School. I had hit a wall where I had been teaching. It was frustrating how test driven the public school system had gotten, and the environment at Summit provided a better balance for the students,” said Nicholson. “I’ve been fortunate to feel really supported in my love for math and teaching it to middle school students. There is something so rewarding about seeing kids work so hard to get a concept, and the light bulb going off when it clicks.”

Students have a mutual respect for Nicholson too.

“I always encourage my students to come visit me anytime they need a little extra help or want to go over new material. On a typical day, kids come to me and take initiative to really affirm what they are learning in the classroom. That’s a highlight for me,” said Nicholson who also serves as a sixth grade homeroom adviser.

Now in her third year at Summit, Nicholson finds herself in a bittersweet celebration of watching her own daughters Cora, 18, and Kate, 16, look ahead to what they want to do when they head to college. “Cora is heading off to Western in the fall, and I almost can’t believe this time has flown by. It’s true when they say the years are long, but the days are short. We’ve spent so many weekends going to volleyball tournaments, that I can’t believe that chapter of life is coming to an end,” said Nicholson. “She’s excited about it, and I am excited for her, but know that I am going to miss her terribly.

“Being a parent really is what they say, the most humbling and rewarding job you can find yourself in. I find myself questioning my decisions every day. I’ve tried to take in Cora’s senior year in every moment and milestone. Every last big event, I’ve tried to just soak it in and reflect.”

Another comforting assurance for Nicholson is seeing the bond that Cora and Kate share. “Those two are so very close as sisters and in their strong friendship with each other. It has been really cool to watch that happen over time, and know that they will always have each other to lean on,” said Nicholson.

If Nicholson isn’t soaking up her girls’ activities, a senior high school moment, teaching, she can often be found crawling into a recliner to read a good book, planning a family vacation, fostering an animal in need and just spending time with people she loves most.

“Just like I’ve told Cora about her senior year, I really try to be present and in the moment, enjoying the ride is a choice, and I feel lucky with what I have gotten to experience,” said Nicholson.