Class of 2026: Inspiring others through math, nearly 20 years later
- By: Indiana University Northwest
- Last Updated: May 7, 2026
For Nickolas Panousis, the journey to a degree in education was anything but linear. Instead, he came full circle.
In 2007, Panousis started studying math at Indiana University Northwest. He’d always enjoyed math, partially due to an exceptional teacher he had as a teenager.
“My mentor was my seventh-grade math teacher, but I ended up having him throughout my high school career, too,” Panousis said. “He inspired me to be an impactful person.”
Despite Panousis’ drive to make a difference, he ran into some hardships. He decided his best bet was to take a break from school in 2013 and finish out his math degree online, leaving the education part unfinished.
“I was working a lot, subbing and teaching during that time,” he said. “I didn’t go off to a different profession; I just did what I could to save up as much so I could come back and finish my education degree.”
Thanks to Mark Sperling, Panousis is set to finish his degree at the end of the semester. Panousis said the interim dean of the School of Education was instrumental in helping him return to IU Northwest to achieve his goals.
“I took a pretty long break, and as soon as I called Sperling, we picked up right where we left off,” Panousis said.
From his seventh-grade math teacher to Sperling and the rest of the IUN education faculty, Panousis has always had incredible mentors in the field. Now, he gets to be that mentor for his students at Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School.
In fact, he’s come full circle, teaching seventh-grade math, just like his first mentor all those years ago.
“Middle school is the most important stage of life — your thoughts are changing and your environment is changing,” Panousis said. “I’m trying to help guide kids toward their identity.”
For Panousis, education is one of the most rewarding professions there is, even on the bad days. He believes that working in education makes people especially well-rounded, and if someone can succeed as a teacher, they can work anywhere.
“It’s rewarding, even if it doesn’t feel like it at times,” he said. “There are so many good people in this profession that lift you up, and the kids bring you a lot of hilarious moments.”
What’s on the horizon for Panousis? Hopefully, even more education. He has plans to look into master’s programs, specifically in administration. Ultimately, he’d love to be an athletic director.
“There are always ways to move up in education, but you don’t lose family time,” Panousis said.
Family is a big deal for Panousis, and, as someone so focused on building relationships, that family drew him to IU Northwest, and encouraged him to come back years later.
“I love how everybody’s connected as a community,” he said. “When I felt doomed, I ran across a professor who said, ‘come and talk to me.’ Doors were always open at IU Northwest.”
With a finished education degree in hand, even more doors are open to Panousis. Whether he becomes an administrator or continues to teach math, he’s sure to have a positive impact on his students, just as his teachers have had on him.
