There have been several changes in the school arena at Italy ISD. New faces have emerged from everywhere it seems and a new spirit has come into view as well. Helping to bond the new look staff with the students and community is Mrs. Nichole Tindol who will be the Italy Junior High Language Arts teacher for 7th grade this upcoming school year.

Mrs. Tindol, who is the wife of Italy ISD’s new AD/HFC Charles Tindol, is outgoing, fun and always has smile. She is a dedicated teacher and will surely add sparkle to the school’s everyday atmosphere. With Mrs. Tindol arriving on scene so late in the summer, we thought our Italy Neotribune readers would like to get to know better Mrs. Tindol and her goals for her and her family.

Where were you born?:
I was born in Seoul Korea where I was abandoned and placed in an orphanage. I was adopted and came to America where I grew up in Minnesota.

Talk about parents and siblings:
I have one sister. My parents adopted another baby from Korea so I would have a sister. We are 2 years apart and she is a Graphic Designer in Wisconsin. My parents are both retired and have been for over 14 years. They still live in Minnesota during the summer but spend their winters down in Mesa, Arizona; they call themselves, “Snow Birds”!

What area did you excel in high school? Did you receive any accolades?:
My high school graduating class had close to 1,000 students. Our school was equivalent to a 5A school in Texas. I played basketball through my junior year. I was also in Student Council, was involved with several diversity awareness groups, was voted most outgoing in High school and was involved in my church camp and youth group. I did well academically, graduated with honors and went on to Abilene Christian University for college.

Talk about higher education. What is your degree?:
I went to ACU on a summer academic scholarship in high school and decided to go back there for college. I majored in Communications. After graduation, I began working as the director of a health clinic in Abilene that served the indigent. I ran the clinic up until I had my first son. I then stayed home with my kids until the youngest started school.

What made you become a teacher? What do you find rewarding about teaching?:
After my kids started school I wanted a job that would allow me more of an opportunity to be in their lives. I was a single mom and it was important to me that I be there for my kids. I really liked the idea of education because I felt so strongly about the importance and influence educators have on students. I wanted the opportunity to impact young kids and instill characteristics and life skills that I felt would help them be successful in life. It was important for me to help kids find and develop their strengths and find how each child can be a leader. Leadership is vitally important to me. I feel strongly that each student has leadership qualities and abilities that I love to draw out of them. I recently completed my Master’s in administration and feel like my skill set will be more fully utilized in the future in an administrative role.

Ultimately, Charles and I both really enjoy kids. We love being able to encourage, be a positive example for the kids and watch them change and grow. Their joy and even the struggles they go through as they grow up, we feel blessed to be a part of their journey and want to be a positive part of what they learn, take with them and hopefully impact them as they become adults.

How did you meet your spouse? How long have you been married? Children?:
We met in Abilene. We have been married 6 years and have a beautiful blended family of 6 kids and one daughter-in-law, so 7 kids now! We are a crazy bunch, but it all works!! One time someone asked our daughter Victoria if we were a foster family!

Seriously, our blended family is what we are most proud of. To us it is truly one of God’s greatest blessings. His demonstration of not only his sense of humor, but his awesome ability to bring people together for healing, unconditional love, joy, and connections that exceed blood/DNA, is truly amazing. Our oldest, Jay (23), is starting his first year as a teacher/coach for Abilene Wylie, our daughter-in-law, Ashley, is a nurse in labor and delivery. Victoria (21), is going to be a senior at ACU this year and plans to go to dental school. Tyson (18), is our college freshman who graduated this May and will start at ACU in the Fall as a Business/Finance major. Rebecca (15) is going to be a sophomore, she attends a private school in Abilene. Kyle, (13) will be an 8th grader this year, and Cade, (11) is our youngest and will be in the 6th grade. There was a time when all our kids were still in the house with us, ranging from pre-K, elementary school, JH high and high school! Those were great times and went by too fast.

Have you ever heard of Italy, Texas before this appointment? If yes, how did you know about us?:
Although we have never driven thru Italy before, we had heard of it. I recently came across Italy when my husband and I were job searching on the THSCA web site and Italy seemed it could be the perfect place for us. When Charles was called in to interview with Italy ISD, and eventually offered the job, I began to worry because he had lined up but I did not. Thankfully, everything worked out and both Charles and I will be associated with the school as I will be teaching at the junior high level and. Neither of us can hide our joy!

Are you living in Italy?:
We live in Italy, down College Street.

Are you feeling welcomed by the community as you settle in to your new home?:
Yes. Everyone we have met so far has been very friendly. We attended the Guns vs. Hoses event and thought that was so well put on and one of the best fireworks displays we had seen. While there, we were able to meet several people, some parents and several of the athletes. We have felt very welcome and supported thus far. As the start of school approaches, our excitement continues to grow.

What are you hoping your students take away from your 7th grade Language Arts class?:
Life skills that reach beyond literature and grammar. Life skills to go out and be successful leaders, critical thinkers and problem solvers. I want my students to apply and integrate the skills from my classes into their daily lives. Embedded within my discipline are examples of how people communicate and connect to others. Timeless examples of how people expressed themselves, their struggles, their culture, and their time. I hope we can discover, create, and explore that together. I hope to give my students tools and a skill set to problem solve, critically think, listen, speak, write and find deep meaning within and beyond the English disciple.

What is it like being the wife of a football coach?:
I call myself a football widow! Our wedding anniversary falls during 2-a-days and he has forgotten our anniversary more than he has remembered. I would actually be surprised and a bit worried if he remembered! Our life is never boring and everything we own has to be durable and movable!

Seriously… it is exactly what God prepared me for. My husband cares for each of his players, and I have watched him connect and touch kids lives in some pretty amazing ways. I have learned that to be a “good” coach’s wife, I must learn to care, love, and see their potential as he does. I realize that he will undoubtedly remember football plays and players from 20 years ago, but he will struggle to remember to take out the trash! I have learned that being a coach’s wife is not for the faint at heart, and one must have very thick skin! Insults, criticisms, and opinions will be given freely and loudly. Being a coach’s wife I have also learned the true value in what it means to be coachable. I don’t pray for wins or titles. I pray for kids. I pray for them to be coachable and for them to play to the best of their ability. I pray for coaches to be lead by integrity, positive attitudes and constructive contributions. Everyone will have an opinion about my husband, this I know, and although I am among his biggest fans, sometime that is a very lonely island. I have learned to take everything in stride, to take deep cleansing breaths to settle the nerves before games, and to always have a sucker in my mouth or near by to prevent me from saying anything I am sure to regret latter on!

Each place we have gone, I really feel like it was because God needed us to be there. He needed us to do something, touch someone’s life, or that we needed to be blessed in some way. So I have learned that with each new adventure comes stress, work, and great adjustment, but it also brings amazing blessings and opportunities to meet some very incredible people.

Well, if you have yet to meet the Tindols, you are in for a real treat. They are two of the nicest most caring people you could ever meet. Nicole is very personable and always wears a smile. We all certainly wish Nicole and Charles good luck and welcome them to our community!