Nichole Wilson
AP® English Literature Educator & College Board Consultant
ELA Department Chair, William Mason High School
“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”
I recently returned from Sicily, where I spent part of my time tracing my mother’s family back to the farming village of Castelvetrano. That journey of connecting past to present is exactly what we ask our students to do with literature, and it is the “soul” we bring to every text. The College Board provides a fantastic recipe for AP® English Literature, but as Chef Keller reminds us, the cook must supply the soul. I design my workshops to help you do just that: to blend official resources confidently with your own teaching style and create a course that truly resonates with your students and prepares them for success.
For the past 28 years, I have taught AP® English Literature and English 4 at William Mason High School in Cincinnati. I have been privileged to serve as ELA Department Chair, as a Teacher Leader Liaison and Ambassador for the state of Ohio, and as co-chair of the Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit teacher committee. I also serve the AP® community as an English Literature Consultant, Mentor, Exam Reader, and Early Table Leader, and for the 2026-2027 school year I am one of five consultants selected for the College Board AP® In Practice Pilot team for AP® English Literature, developing content collaboratively and facilitating sessions for teachers in their first five years of teaching the course.
I have contributed to several literature textbooks, including the Teacher’s Edition of Bedford Literature and Composition (3rd edition), and I am currently developing instructional planning activities for the fourth edition. That work has given me the great joy of returning to texts I love, such as August Wilson’s Fences, Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, while discovering many new poems, short stories, and plays.
My path to the classroom has been shaped by a variety of experiences. I taught abroad through the J. William Fulbright program at East Norfolk Sixth Form College in England, and before teaching, I worked as a journalist and as a Public Relations Director. Each of these roles has broadened the perspective I bring to my work.
Beyond the AP® classroom, I care deeply about preparing students for the interdisciplinary and collaborative thinking they will encounter long after high school.
AP® In Practice Pilot Team
2026-2027 school year · AP® English Literature and Composition
One of five consultants selected for the College Board AP® In Practice Pilot team for AP® English Literature and Composition, developing content collaboratively and facilitating the series sessions during the 2026-2027 school year.
About the series
Built for teachers in their first five years of teaching an AP® course, the series offers five 2-hour virtual sessions that are connected to the AP® English Literature and Composition course and aligned to teacher pacing throughout the school year.
- Session 1 · August/SeptemberPlanning Initial Instruction and Pacing
- Session 2 · October/NovemberPreparing for Complex Content
- Session 3 · November/DecemberUsing Assessment Data to Adjust Instruction
- Session 4 · January/FebruaryManaging Complex Content and Time Constraints
- Session 5 · March/AprilCompleting Content and Preparing for the AP® Exam
Presentations and Collaborations
11 recent sessions at national and state gatherings, presented with 7 fellow educators and authors.
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention
November 2026
- What If Janie Had Stayed in Eatonville?: Harnessing Conditional Thinking to Imagine, Innovate, and Inspire in the ELA ClassroomPresented with Dr. Brandon Abdon; Rebecca McFarlan
More about this session
What if Janie had stayed in Eatonville? What if Romeo checked his messages? Conditional "what if" thinking invites imagination but can actually undermine rigorous analysis. This interactive session explores innovative pedagogical strategies that harness speculative questioning, from sentence-level writing to creative projects, empowering students as critical and creative communicators who think both imaginatively and rigorously.
- From Recipe to Remix: Chaos Cooking and Innovation in the Writing ClassroomPresented with Kristy Seidel; Susan Barber, author of 100% Engagement and The Norton Guide to AP® Literature; Nichole Dandrea-Russert, award-winning author of Real Superfoods Cookbook and Powered by Plants
More about this session
Experience the "sensory bustle" of kitchen-inspired lessons with presenters including English teachers and an award-winning cookbook author. This session explores how chaos cooking translates to chaos writing: both honor foundational techniques while encouraging improvisation. Participants tackle a "Mystery Basket" challenge, applying culinary innovation strategies to student writing in an AI era.
- Pure Imagination: Transforming Critical Thinking in the English Classroom Through Tactile and Kinesthetic LearningPresented with Kristy Seidel; Susan Barber, author of 100% Engagement and The Norton Guide to AP® Literature
More about this session
This session demonstrates how kinesthetic and tactile learning strategies transform English classrooms into spaces where complex analytical thinking becomes tangible. Participants explore hands-on activities that increase accessibility, deepen retention, and help students achieve sophistication in literary and rhetorical analysis while combating passive learning in rigorous courses.
Notre Dame Partnership with Advanced Coursework Teachers (P.A.C.T)
October 2026 · Fall Workshop
- Vistas of Infinity: Exploring Interdisciplinary Connections Through Metaphysical Poetry
More about this session
The poet William Blake and the mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot both found infinite wonder in the patterns of the world. This workshop shows how metaphysical poetry can build the critical thinking skills students need. Together, we'll explore how ideas from the physical world, such as balance, gravity, and momentum, can unlock deeper truths in literature and in universal human experiences. Participants will begin by analyzing a few examples of metaphysical poems, then step into the student's seat by pairing literary analysis skills with provided STEM concepts to draft metaphysical poems of their own.
- The Music and Monologues of Voice: Scaffolding a Poetry Unit
More about this session
How can music and monologues help students find their way into poetry? This hands-on workshop answers that question using two rich, accessible poems: “Two Guitars” and “Monologue for St. Louis.” We’ll begin by analyzing the two poems together, brainstorming unifying ideas, literary elements and techniques, and connections to the skills our students need most. We will analyze student samples, then build brief lesson plans for one of the poems, focusing on how skills and concepts build on one another across a unit. We’ll close with a whole-group share-out and peer feedback so everyone leaves with practical, classroom-ready strategies for teaching poetry with confidence.
Mass Insight
October 2026 · Fall Two-Day Workshop
Mass Insight partners with high schools to increase participation and performance in Advanced Placement® courses, preparing students for college and career success, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Over more than 15 years, it has supported more than 60,000 students and 2,500 teachers in more than 140 Massachusetts high schools.
- Pure Imagination: Navigating Tension Between the Old and the New in the 2026 Q3 FRQ
More about this session
How do we bridge traditional exam preparation with a vision for transformative student learning? In this session, participants will examine Question 3 from the 2026 AP® Exam to target three critical skills from the Course and Exam Description (CED) and pinpoint common challenge areas in student work. Using student samples and official scoring commentary, we will reframe typical instructional pitfalls into actionable opportunities, empowering educators to navigate assessment tensions and help students achieve.
- From Pure Imagination to Practice: Translating Question 3 Insights into CED-Aligned Units
More about this session
Building directly on the Question 3 sample analysis and skill insights from Session 1, participants will turn diagnostic reflection into actionable curriculum design. Using your Session 1 notes alongside CED sample units, you will draft or refine an upcoming unit to directly target the key skills needed for student growth. To ensure this future-focused vision translates into measurable success, you will select one high-impact instructional strategy and define a clear indicator of student understanding to monitor impact.
NCTE Annual Convention
2025
- Leveraging Social Media Trends to Enhance Learning and Habits of MindPresented with Kristy Seidel, AP® Language Assistant Chief Reader
More about this session
This session will explore how educators can leverage social media trends to enhance learning and social-emotional health using practical, research-based strategies. By incorporating trends from various multimedia sources, students develop critical thinking and digital citizenship skills while building student-teacher relationships and enhancing student understanding through relevant connections.
- Dream Big, Write BoldlyPresented with Blake Taylor, Walnut Hills High School
More about this session
Dreams offer creative inspiration, but how can we, like great writers and artists such as William Blake, Angela Carter, and Francisco Goya, tap into them to spark creative writing in the classroom, especially when recent studies suggest that high school students are more sleep-deprived than ever? This session explores techniques that utilize the power of dreams to enhance student learning and engagement.
Ohio Teacher Leadership Summit
Poster sessions
- The Science of Art: An Exploration of the Impact of Personalized Learning Pathways in Teacher Professional Development at William Mason High SchoolPresented with Dee Dee Messer, AP® Physics E&M
- The Table Set for All: Engaging Multilingual Learners in Complex Literary Analysis
What Participants Say
Nichole was absolutely wonderful. Clearly deeply knowledgeable, personable, and very intuitive to her room and flexible to meet everyone's needs. She spaced out the information in ways that allowed time for processing and digesting, while also making sure that we covered a wide expanse of valuable information. I am starting as a new AP® teacher next year, and the AP® grader, 6th year teacher next to me was able to take just as many notes and "aha" moments away from the experience as I was.
Nikki was, by far, the most informative, engaging and receptive presenter I have ever encountered. Her dedication for the teaching profession shines through in her lesson delivery and preparation. She truly cares for the future of our course and students who enroll in it. Nikki's goal is not to teach kids how to pass a test, rather to teach kids the skills necessary for life that naturally translate to the course objectives.
Nichole was AMAZING! Her knowledge, expertise, and understanding of the course content was outstanding. Honestly, it is the best APSI I have been a part of and I have done three.
Nichole is the most exceptional presenter I have ever encountered. I have never been happier to get up and attend professional development. I left the forum like one does a fantastic play, wondering why it had to end.
Nikki was a phenomenal presenter with both the knowledge and enthusiasm to help those taking her workshop feel competent and inspired to develop an engaging curriculum for our students!
This workshop was one of the most beneficial professional development experiences of my career. Nichole is a highly engaging and effective presenter. She is also extremely organized, resourceful, and goes the extra mile for the participants.
Ms. Wilson is engaging, well-prepared, and intuitive. From the moment we walked into the classroom, we were doing something meaningful, relevant, and fun.
Workshop History
AP® English Literature and Composition workshops and mentoring sessions since 2018, with the overall performance score for each endorsement out of 4.
The past three years, newest first:
2026
- September 2026AP® In Practice Pilot, Session 1: Planning Initial Instruction and PacingVirtual
- August 2026APSI Online, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2026APSI In Person, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · In person
- July 2026New Teachers APSI, University High School, West VirginiaMorgantown, WV · In person
- July 2026APSI Online, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2026St. Louis APSI hosted by Western Kentucky UniversityBallwin, MO
- July 2026Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- June 2026Experienced Teachers, Western Kentucky University APSI OnlineBowling Green, KY · Virtual
- June 2026APSI for New and Experienced Teachers, Plainfield SD202Plainfield, IL
- February 2026Teacher Support: Assessing Student UnderstandingVirtual
2025
- October 2025Understanding and Planning the Course
- August 2025APSI Online, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2025APSI In Person, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · In person
- July 2025APSI Online, Manhattan UniversityBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2025St. Louis APSI hosted by Western Kentucky UniversityManchester, MO
- July 2025Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- July 2025New and Experienced Teachers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock APSI OnlineLittle Rock, AR · Virtual
- June 2025Experienced Teachers, Western Kentucky University APSI OnlineBowling Green, KY · Virtual
- June 2025APSI, Capital High School, West VirginiaCharleston, WV · In person
2024
- August 2024APSI Online, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2024APSI In Person, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · In person
- July 2024APSI Online, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2024St. Louis APSI hosted by Western Kentucky UniversityChesterfield, MO
- July 2024Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- July 2024Western Kentucky University APSI OnlineBowling Green, KY · Virtual
- June 2024APSI, Plainfield SD202Plainfield, IL
- June 2024Midwest Premier APSIOlathe, KS
Earlier workshops, 2018 to 2023 (40)
2023
- August 2023APSI Online, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2023APSI In Person, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · In person
- July 2023APSI Online, Manhattan CollegeBronx, NY · Virtual
- July 2023St. Louis APSI hosted by Western Kentucky UniversitySt. Louis, MO
- July 2023Experienced Teachers, AP-TIP Indiana APSIIndianapolis, IN
- July 2023Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- June 2023Experienced Teachers, Carleton College APSINorthfield, MN
- June 2023APSI, Plainfield SD202Plainfield, IL
- June 2023Experienced Teachers, Midwest Premier APSIOlathe, KS
2022
- September 2022Strategies and Pedagogical Tools (New Teachers), September to DecemberVirtual
- July 2022Experienced Teachers, AP-TIP Indiana APSIIndianapolis, IN
- July 2022Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- June 2022Greater Columbus APSIGahanna, OH
- June 2022Grandville APSIGrandville, MI
- January 2022Assess and Reflect (New Teachers), January to April
2021
- August 2021AP® English Literature and Composition Workshop
- July 2021New Teachers, Carleton College APSI OnlineNorthfield, MN · Virtual
- July 2021APSI, Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS
- July 2021Experienced Teachers, AP-TIP Indiana APSIIndianapolis, IN
- July 2021Experienced Teachers, Northwestern University APSI OnlineChicago, IL · Virtual
- July 2021AP® English Literature and Composition WorkshopMaryville, TN
- June 2021Experienced Teachers, The University of Alabama APSITuscaloosa, AL · In person
- June 2021New Teachers, University of Louisville APSILouisville, KY
2020
- October 2020AP® English Literature and Composition Online WorkshopVirtual
- July 2020New Teachers, University of South Florida APSI OnlineVirtual
- July 2020Experienced Teachers, University of South Florida APSI OnlineVirtual
- July 2020Grandville APSI OnlineGrandville, MI · Virtual
- July 2020Phoenix APSI OnlineScottsdale, AZ · Virtual
- July 2020Experienced Teachers, AP-TIP Indiana APSI OnlineVirtual
- June 2020New Teachers, Carleton College APSI OnlineNorthfield, MN · Virtual
- June 2020Allegheny Intermediate Unit APSI OnlineHomestead, PA · Virtual
2019
- December 2019Experienced Teachers One-Day WorkshopNovi, MI
- October 2019One-Day WorkshopColumbus, OH
- September 2019One-Day WorkshopLancaster, PA
- June 2019APSIMcDonald, PA
2018
- November 2018One-Day WorkshopRocky River, OH
- October 2018One-Day WorkshopSt. Louis, MO
- October 2018New Teachers One-Day WorkshopCincinnati, OH
- July 2018Experienced Teachers, Advanced Placement® Summer InstituteIndianapolis, IN
- March 2018One-Day WorkshopSanta Ana, CA
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