Teacher
Biography
Mr. Sourvelis has been teaching science since 2011. His first teaching position was at Minor High School in Adamsville, Alabama. While at Minor High, Nicholas helped thirty-two of his students, who had previously been unsuccessful, pass the science portion of the Alabama High School Graduation Examination. Mr. Sourvelis taught in the Walker County School System from 2012 to 2019. During that time he taught chemistry, AP chemistry, pre-AP chemistry, physics, AP physics, physical science, and zoology.
As of August 2019, Mr. Sourvelis is employed in the Jasper City School System where he teaches chemistry, AP chemistry, and physical science at Jasper High School. “It has always been my goal to come home and teach at my alma mater. GO VIKES!” — Nick Sourvelis
Mr. Sourvelis holds an Alabama Class AA teaching certificate in general science, received his Education Specialist Degree (secondary) from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, a Masters of Art in Education (secondary science) from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Bachelors of Science degree from Samford University. In addition, Mr. Sourvelis continues his education through varied professional development opportunities like APEX (more info), a 3-year physics education program, and graduate-level chemistry courses.
Recognition
- National Board Certified Teacher 2025 NBCT Directory | Article
- University of Alabama: Excellence in Teaching Award (2019) Award | News Article
- Daily Mountain Eagle: Cordova High science teacher details his hard path to success. Article
- Oakman High School: Teacher of the Year (2012-2013)
Science Education Philosophy
First and foremost is the fact that I love my students and believe in them. The belief that each student has the potential for success is the foundation of my philosophy. The decision to become an educator is rooted in my hope to inspire. Not every student wants to be a scientist; however, it makes it all worth it when confidence gained from overcoming the challenges of learning science inspires a student to pursue and accomplish a personal goal.
As teachers, we must recognize that learning something completely new, challenging, and abstract can be frustrating. Encouraging students to see past the frustration and recognize it as part of the learning process is vital to their success. Once students learn to let go of the frustration and embrace the struggle, deep learning can take place. The moment a student finally declares “I GET IT,” is what I live for.
Technology has played an integral role in our classroom. The Science Portal was created to give my students access to our classroom 24 hours a day. If we plan to reach today’s youth, it is pivotal that we keep up with the world they live in today. Feedback from students has been very positive.
Notes from Students
Letters, notes, emails, and texts from students, plus a few from parents and colleagues, collected over my years in the classroom. They're shared as written, with only spelling lightly cleaned up.
Ready for what comes next
From students who took what they learned into AP exams, the ACT, and college chemistry.
To be honest, when I saw that I had chemistry… I thought I was going to dread every minute of it. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every second of chemistry. You taught me so much more than chemical reactions. I feel that I am much more prepared for college now. I may not have liked the way you taught all the time, but it was beyond successful! And I thank you for that…
I don't speak simply for myself when I say thank you for all the teachings and for never giving up on us. I'm proud to say I was part of your first chemistry class, and if I need help in my chemistry class… be ready!
I want to tell you what JM said today. We are approaching finals for his first semester at UA… So, thank you. I can't think of a better compliment. I can't thank you enough.
I wanted to check in with you after a little while in school here at UAB… You truly were an impeccable teacher to me in 10th and 11th grade…
Thank you, Mr. Sourvelis, for being such a great chemistry teacher. Everything you taught us is exactly what I'm doing in my Chem 131 class…
You are the best Chemistry teacher ever! Out of all 300 of my fellow Chem 104 classmates, I'm the only one that knows what the professor is talking about.
I told you.
Today was the 3rd lecture and my class is still stuck on sig figs where I'm like 3 chapters ahead in my online homework because I already know all of it. Thank you for teaching me everything you did! I feel completely prepared for college chem!
Can't believe I didn't think to check Outlook when the scores arrived. You're a wonderful teacher and an entertaining one, so I won the lottery getting you for what I've heard for years was one of the hardest AP courses. I would like to thank you and Breaking Bad for helping me to understand the things on that exam!
Just wanted to say a big thanks to you for laying a great foundation for my college chemistry. I'm pursuing a BioChem degree that will hopefully transfer down to Auburn's pharmacy school, and as I've looked through my General Chem class syllabus, the majority of the content has already been covered by your class. These first few days have been a rather boring review for me, but I'm grateful that it is that way because I feel more prepared to dive into the rest of chemistry that I haven't seen yet because of the strong foundation you helped me build!
When asked to write a letter to a teacher, you were the first person I thought of. I only had you once, but you had a lasting impression on me. Your wisdom, humor, and teaching style make you one of the best teachers in this building. Thank you for everything! You're the reason I had that 30 in science on the ACT!
P.S. Continue doing the belts in class. It makes kids try harder, and I hear them talk about it all the time!
I just wanted to write this to you to express my gratitude for your teaching and your class. I really enjoyed my time in there, and as difficult as the class was, it was definitely the most rewarding. I really appreciate the teachers who you can clearly see their passion for the material they teach, and you are a perfect example of that.
I will be attending Auburn University in the fall, majoring in either pre-veterinary or biology. I am excited to be able to utilize what you have taught me as I work towards my dreams. Thank you for pushing me to do better, and letting me be proud when I did. I will always be grateful to have been taught by you.
Thank you for the impact that you have had on my life the past two years. Thank you for challenging me and always encouraging me to be the best I can be. Your class has given me confidence in my ability to challenge myself in college, and I hope to carry all that I learned with me for years to come.
Thank you for the many conversations we have had over the years, and thank you for taking the time to write and send recommendations for me. I know that it takes time that you probably do not really have, so I greatly appreciate it.
More than chemistry
Life advice, hard love, and a few conversations that stuck.
I had a great time in your class. I finally have something I'm good at in school. I'm sure I'll come back to visit to have help with my college work. You're a great teacher!
I personally want to thank you for being the teacher you are and were for me!… God bless.
As an educator with 26 years' experience, I know how important it is to receive feedback… We need more teachers like you!
Hello Mr. Sourvelis. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you as a teacher and how much I truly enjoyed learning under you. You are an amazing person and seem to be an amazing father, and some of the things you talked to us about I will carry with me into adulthood and into the becoming of a TRUE man, husband, and father.
Hearing how you handle the few family issues you have discussed with us and seeing how you "Embraced the SUCK" through tough times really showed me the type of man you are and the type of man that I will soon aspire to be. Thank you for your time and wisdom. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your school year, and I wish nothing but the best for you and your family.
I want to start off by thanking you for coming to Cordova. I also want to thank you for always helping and going above and beyond for each student. Thank you for accepting to be my homebound teacher and for always doing everything that you could to help me.
You saw potential in me that I did not see in myself, and you gave me a joy and an ambition for learning. Without you the past two years alongside me, I would not be about to walk across the field and receive my diploma in just two short weeks! I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me. I will always consider you a friend, and I will take all the lessons and hard love and friendship with me throughout life. Thank you!
I really enjoyed having you as my chemistry teacher this year. I learned so much, and I am actually taking a chemistry class in the fall. And you may not know this, but you really inspired me to become a teacher. My mom talked me out of it. And you told us not to be miserable with our job and to do what we love no matter what kind of money you make. And that's why I am going to be a teacher. So thank you so much.
Thank you for being an amazing Viking teacher. I loved all of our discussions during Viking these past four years. Thank you for doing your best to give us life advice and helping us with anything you could. You made it feel like our Viking class was a little family. I will miss it.
Out of all the people you get a letter from, I bet I'm the least expected. The first couple days of your class were different for me. I didn't know how to take it all in. You are devoted to every child's learning. Thank you for making me realize my full potential. You made me realize I'm capable of doing anything as long as I put my mind to it. When I say thank you I really mean it, so… THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for encouraging me throughout chemistry… even though I didn't think I would see "I survived chemistry" day. You also influenced me to take a jiu jitsu class, lol. Thank you for the funny memes and the cheese bread analogy. Tell your daughter my room is clean.
Straight from the room
Puns, mole trains, and the occasional roast.
I would like to recommend my chemistry teacher, Mr. Nicholas Sourvelis, to be the winner of the best teacher in Walker County…
Just wanted to say I really enjoyed your class this year… You have mine!
I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you helped me with this past year… Thank you so much!
Thank you for teaching me to ask questions. Without your help I feel I might have grown up dull. I'm pretty sure Isaac Newton would be proud to know a great guy like you is teaching his discoveries.
You are a brilliant instructor and make learning truly fulfilling.
Chemistry
I just don't understand,
Gas laws are hard,
I need a helping hand,
All the questions are starred.This test will bring doom,
Kinetic energy equals temperature,
Why do we ignore volume?
Will I always remain unsure?Let's talk about it, you say,
Gas particles remain in motion,
No, we're not okay,
Drowning in the air ocean.I'm not tracking so far,
"Ideal Gas Law," what is that?
Can we lower the bar?
I miss Schrödinger's cat.I just don't understand,
Mr. Sourvelis… lend a helping hand.
You're so good at teaching and inspiring students! Keep up the good work.
Thank you for being such a great teacher and helping me to earn my way through your class. I hope you enjoy this book and have an amazing spring semester!
I struggled a lot, but I actually passed with an A. Thanks for making chemistry fun. Your class constantly stressed me out 'cause I could not ever get the hang of it, but once I did it was easy. I had a C the first nine weeks, and it made me realize your class isn't a joke and I had to step it up. Now I have an A, although I never made an A on a test.
Thanks for always pushing us to work hard. I never thought I would know most elements, their symbols, and the masses, but now I do. Thanks for everything! (Gonna die in AP Physics.)
Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and helping me pass chemistry. Without your help I would for sure be failing. Thank you for not yelling at us at enrichment even though we probably get on your nerves. Thank you for constantly roasting us and giving us attitude. Thank you for telling us the truth even if it's kinda mean. Thank you for stealing our food all the time. Thank you for giving us your water. Thank you for being such a chill dude. Have a great summer!!
Really going to miss you teaching us about chemistry and showing us its importance and how cool it is. Also going to miss you making fun of Kason, Mason, and Jaxson. Your puns, sarcasm, and mole train story are my favorite memories from your class! Best wishes for next year's chemistry classes. Thanks for teaching me!
Sorry about the white-out. I'm bad at spelling & this pen smears a lot.
Thank you for teaching me chemistry in an understanding way and physics in an almost understanding way. No matter what anyone says, you're a great teacher.
I am so fortunate to have you as a teacher. I might have struggled in your class, but I have gained a ton of knowledge. I have a better work ethic now because of your class. You are a great chemistry teacher! Thanks for giving us multiple opportunities to bring our grade up. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Thank you for everything you have taught me this year. You have been such a fun teacher this year, and you have helped me learn and master some of chemistry. Thank you for being an amazing teacher.
亲爱的 Sourvelis 先生，
感谢您为我们所有人提供如此详细且经过深思熟虑的课程。
附言：安娜贝尔认为你是双胞胎。
Translated from Chinese
Dear Mr. Sourvelis, thank you for giving all of us such a detailed and carefully thought-out course. P.S. Annabelle thinks you're a twin.