The Education of a Teacher: Lessons a Small Town Taught a Teacher

Noel Nation was raised in Tulsa, OK in a close-knit middle-class family. He played baseball in college and had a desire to work in the health field after graduating. Noel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. in 1982 and went immediately to start his teaching career at the High School in Cleveland, OK. Due to his extensive knowledge of science, he was able to teach physics and anatomy. He coached many sports and was also The Athletic director. He received a Master of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis on Sports Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1990. Furthermore, he later became the Principal of the Middle School in Cleveland and retired in 2016. He soon went to work at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK as an educator for the inmates. After 2 years he was asked to come out of retirement and return to Cleveland Public Schools to teach Science again and is currently serving again in that position where it all started.