When Ector County ISD top brass showed up at Bonham Middle School to give Assistant Principal Nicole Jeffery the Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year Award, she thought it was for someone else.
On lunch duty at the time, she saw some of her students and wondered why they weren’t in class. Then she heard “all this noise.”
Even when they started talking about her, Jeffery was looking around for the person being recognized. She’s someone who is OK celebrating other people, but not herself.
“It threw me for a big loop because I had no expectation. I just see myself as doing my job. That’s really it. Nothing outstanding, nothing special. Just come to work and do your job; try to leave it better than where it was when you found it. That’s it. Help who you can help and pray for the rest,” Jeffery said.
She’s always felt that every student needs someone they can go to at school.
“I try to be that person, regardless even they’re kids that can get on my last nerve with their silliness and behaviors and decisions. But I just want to be that person,” Jeffery said.
All together, she has been in education for 27 years as a coach, teacher, principal, assistant principal and myriad other positions.
Starting off at Texas Christian University, Jeffery earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Angelo State University. She earned a master’s in educational leadership from University of Texas at Arlington.
Education was not in the plans for Jeffery as she watched family members in the field. She also taught Sunday school from a young age. Her father was a pastor at a church in Odessa.
But she wanted to be a scientist.
Her mother suggested she teach while “you figure out your life.” Jefferey, who is from Crane, finished student teaching and taking education classes and graduated.
Her first job offer was at Permian High School, but she ended up going to Nimitz Middle School instead. The riddle has been trying to figure out how to make adults out of young people.
Most of the schools she’s worked for were low-income.
“I always wanted to go where I felt like kids needed an adult,” Jeffery said.
She added that she feels God put her in each place she’s been.
“He made provisions for me at each place, like this is where you’re supposed to be at this time. This is what you’re supposed to be doing. I won’t say it came easy, but I will say that I haven’t really had to struggle because I feel like this is where I was called to be. So once I was put there, the kids stole my heart,” Jeffery said.
“I have to be where the kids are. That’s just what I love to do. I love working with kids,” she added.
Jefferey has twin girls going to Odessa Collegiate Academy.
Bonham Principal Kamye Smith said Jeffery is well known and respected at Bonham.
“Leadership is a valuable trait that has the ability to inspire and motivate individuals to accomplish notable goals. Over the course of history, there have been remarkable individuals who have exemplified exceptional leadership abilities and made a lasting impression in the educational community. They possess unique qualities and characteristics that set them apart and enable them to lead with conviction and purpose. Nicole Jeffery is a highly respected figure at Bonham Middle School, known by teachers, students, parents and staff alike for her exceptional leadership qualities,” Smith said.
With her decades of experience in education, Jefferey “possesses a diverse range of natural gifts and skills that set her apart,” she added.
