The vast majority of educators I have worked with through the years are passionate about their profession and truly care about kids.”

Nick Sturm

The Stanley-Boyd School District benefits from the knowledge and education of Nick Sturm who has been an educator for twenty-two years. A graduate of Michigan Tech University and Marian University, Sturm earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Before teaching at Stanley-Boyd, Nick taught at Chilton Public School, Wausau West High School, and Merrill Area Public Schools but he eventually chose to continue his career at Stanley-Boyd because of his familiarity with a few staff members and to be close to family that lives in the area. Nick has lived in Stanley for six years with his wife Erica, a teacher for a virtual school and their three children, Chase, a senior, Aaron, a sophomore, and Lidya, a freshman, who all attend Stanley-Boyd. “Probably more people know Lidya than know me! She’s the celebrity,” Nick comments on his daughter’s popularity.
Nick’s family enjoys sports and spending quality time together, especially at sporting events and you can usually spot a few of them at most school sporting events, playing or cheering.
Nick adds, “We also enjoy traveling and trying new and sometimes exotic foods.” He mentions that his family is willing to try almost any type of ethnic food including oxtails or kitfo, an Ethiopian dish that is raw lamb meat. But he shares that after all the interesting cuisine that he has sampled, his favorite food is still his wife’s gumbo.
Nick’s favorite sport is football and besides the Stanley-Boyd Orioles, he loves to cheer for the Packers.
Growing up, Nick’s mother was an educator and inspired him to follow in her footsteps. “My mom had a career in education, so I don’t remember considering anything else really. If I didn’t teach I would either like to have coached football in college or have become a financial planner.” Another big influence in his life was his high school history teacher, Mr. Klitze. “Mr. Kitze was always my favorite. He loved to tell historical stories.” Nick comments that his own first year of teaching was the most difficult. “The only real way to figure out how to teach is simply by practicing each day.”
All of his practice has paid off because Nick is an incredible teacher who has influenced many students and graduates of Stanley-Boyd. He mentions that he enjoys working at Stanley-Boyd High School because the small school atmosphere allows him to get to know the students better. “I enjoy learning and working with teenage students. They keep me young,” Nick says and mentions that his students have taught him patience, perseverance, and grace. He hopes parents understand that he is trying to prepare each of his students for life after graduation. “I truly care that they learn and are better prepared for life after high school when they leave my class.”
Teaching during the day and coaching after school is all in a day’s work for Nick during football season and he gives back to his students in many ways. In high school, Nick participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track and his own experiences have given him the opportunity to help his students. When he attended Michigan Tech, Nick became the leading tackler in the history of Michigan Tech football with 405 tackles including 214 solos and 191 assists and in 1999 he received the Alan Bovard Award as team MVP. In addition to teaching, Nick coaches many students in football and encourages them to put their best forward by working out in the weight room. Having coached for twenty-three years, he feels that participating in sports is the most impactful experience a student can have in high school. “It teaches a student athlete a lot about themselves like how to deal with adversity and disappointment as well as how to work with others in a constructive way. Some of the most important lessons I learned while growing up were through participating in sports,” he said.
Nick’s dedication to his students’ learning and education is inspiring to anyone who has seen him in action over the years. When asked what he enjoys the most about teaching, he answers, “The interactions I have with the kids. Most of the time it is a very fulfilling and enjoyable experience.” Nick hopes that people know the level of care and concern that teachers have for their students. “The vast majority of educators I have worked with through the years are passionate about their profession and truly care about kids.” Nick’s compassion for his students and drive for knowledge is making an impact on his students that will last for years to come.