Phillips strives to reach, teach children early

MADISON – Diversity — in culture, knowledge, skill and businesses — is one characteristic of Madison that Nichole Phillips likes.

“People are eager to share their expertise to benefit schools and others. You can easily build a team to accomplish any goal in Madison,” Phillips said.

Phillips grew up on a farm in Millry, a one-light village north of Mobile where she graduated with 49 classmates. She then lived in the larger college town of Tuscaloosa. Madison engenders a ‘Mayberry aura’ but with big-city conveniences and social activities, she said.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education at the University of Alabama. At Samford University, Phillips received a master’s degree in instructional leadership.

For seven years, Nichole taught grades 2, 4 and 5 at Harvest Elementary School. Now, she’s in her fifth year as assistant principal at Heritage Elementary School.

In 1997, her husband Neil accepted a job as chemical engineer at 3M in Decatur. “After exploring from Huntsville to Decatur, we rented an apartment in Madison. We later built our first home in Madison and then built again in Madison as our family grew,” Nichole said.

Their children are Sydney, high school senior, and Jordan, a sophomore.

Nichole volunteers as Children’s Minister at Madison Assembly of God. “I love to work with children. Research shows that the early years are most crucial for reaching young lives. My heart and my passion are for at-risk children,” she said.

“All children can be successful, if we reach them in their early years and teach them to believe in themselves,” Nichole said. “Since becoming an administrator, this ministry allows me to directly work with students in a teaching capacity.”

The Phillips’ pets are Rose, a 14-year-old beagle; Daily, an 11-year-old Blue Heeler; and Mister, a cat.

“I enjoy a variety of music but Christian worship music is my favorite,” Nichole said. “My husband and both daughters play and sing on the worship team at Madison Assembly. Worship music is a big part of our life.”

Enjoying the area’s choice of restaurants, she especially likes Sakura Steakhouse, Casa Blanca, 4 Leaves and Terranova’s Italian Restaurant.