In her 51st year teaching in Mesquite ISD, ATPE member and former local unit president Diane Nix is showing no signs of slowing down. Her storied career includes teaching Title I reading, second and third grade, and 15 years of ESL.

ATPE caught up with Nix to find out what inspires her, what she has learned over the years, and what’s next in her amazing journey.

Did you always want to be a teacher?
I loved my first-grade teacher. We didn't have kindergarten back then, and I have known since first grade I wanted to teach. I love teaching, and I sometimes include music in my teaching.

What do you love most about teaching?
I think it is seeing the light bulbs come on in a child’s eyes when they finally get it. Also, I love making a difference in that child's life. I want them to learn to do their very best.

How long have you been a member of ATPE?
I've been a member of ATPE almost since the beginning. I remember meeting as a district back when we all belonged to TSTA. But then they went national, and we decided that we didn't want to affiliate with that. And so that's when I joined.

Can you describe adversity that you have faced in your career?
When I first started, we had to paddle our own students. My principal said, “You have to learn how to do that.” And I was scared! That has since changed, but as a teacher, you face adversity all the time. Things are always changing, and you must change alongside them. It can be tough to keep up with the constant changes in technology and curriculum, but the most difficult thing is to always be sure you are paying attention to the needs of both students and yourself.

Do you have any advice for new educators?
Always give your best. If you have the passion for teaching, and you have a passion for children, then we need you. If you are thinking about becoming an educator, please give it a try to see if it is right for you. If you have that passion for it, keep teaching and make education your career. We need educators like you. I challenge anyone to try to teach as long as I have without feeling as passionate as I do about it.

Also, I recommend ATPE to all new teachers. Mostly for the liability coverage, but also because ATPE advocates for you at the Capitol.

In addition to teacher hairstyles, what have you seen change in education over the last five decades?
Over the years, the focus of elementary curriculum has changed multiple times. It may appear that our approaches are just constantly evolving, but I think it’s more like a pendulum that swings back and forth between competing ideas. As significant as that can be at times, teachers know what it takes to make their students successful, and that hasn’t changed. When I work with pre-K, I teach them to make letters and sounds. No matter how much the curriculum changes, they will always have to learn these things before they can make words. And they will always need to know how to make words before they can make sentences.

What do you think makes a good administrator?
I think a good administrator guides their teachers but trusts them to do their job as well. I've worked with a lot of superintendents, assistant superintendents, and principals. Over the years, I have been very lucky in that regard. I have had amazing administrators who trusted me to do my job.

Who has been an inspiration for you?
Growing up, my father was always involved in everything. He was on the school board, a deacon at our church, and a leader in our community. My mom and dad always wanted the very best for me and expected me to give my best. I have been inspired by a high school teacher, my past and present superintendents, past and present principals, and fellow educators whom I have worked with and have known in Mesquite. I have been blessed to be around such great examples.

I have also been inspired by my family, including my husband, my son, my two granddaughters in public school now, and my daughter-in-law who teaches middle school. They keep me going.

What are your plans for the future?
I'm taking it one year at a time, so we'll see how it goes. But right now, I'm loving what I'm doing, and this year is off to a great start.

Fun fact:
Diane had a music scholarship in her first two years of college, and she used to sing in a band.