Like many, she switched her career path in hopes to find the right fit for herself by studying two completely opposite majors before finding the one she says is truly her calling. That choice has not impacted only herself, but each face she meets. And that impact was recognized when Varsity Cheer Coach and freshman English teacher Nicole Moore was selected by her peers as the Canyon High Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024.
“I was thrilled. I nominated her and I voted for her,” English III teacher Ellen Ward said. “I think she really deserves it and has for a while for all the work she does in her classroom and with the cheer team. She’s one of the most dedicated people on campus.”
Creating bonds with her students and helping them strive for excellence as they continue through life is what drives Moore each day. Moore said she feels like it is part of her responsibility to help motivate students and keep them from giving up.
“She’s more interactive with us,” Freshman Alexander Oakley said. “She actually listens and understands. She doesn’t just teach us, give us work and then that’s it. She gets to know us.”
Becoming a teacher was always at the back of her mind but Moore initially pursued a communications degree while at West Texas A&M University, before returning to WTAMU to complete the Panhandle Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) program then earned her Masters degree in teaching.
“I did not know that I wanted to be a teacher until later in life so I went back and got my degree to be a teacher,” Moore said. “My favorite thing about my job is getting to know my students. I get to be challenged every day and I am never bored.”
Moore’s mom was a junior high English teacher when she was growing up and Moore said it is why she thought she would pursue marketing to let teaching be her mom’s career. But teaching English is where she knows she belongs and knew it was the subject she would teach once she decided to become a teacher.
“She’s a really positive influence on everybody around her, especially her students,” Ward said. “She does a great job of getting to know her students really well and meeting them where they’re at and figuring out what they need as individuals.”
Eleven years ago Moore started her teaching career at Wildorado but said she wanted to be part of the culture Canyon High provides with high standards in all areas. Over the years she has helped students such as Oakley go in the right direction, sharing a positive attitude and motivation and according to her peers added to the culture of excellence.
“I hope that they know that I will always be someone who’s in their corner and that I’m supporting them,” Moore said. “That I want them to be successful no matter what choices that they make, and hopefully they feel like our time together is not not a waste by any means, but it was worth it.”
