Diggory Nichols
April 2008

“Dig” Nichols was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At the tender age of 20, and while taking his Undergrad at Dalhousie University, Dig Nichols set out to Edsun, Alberta to work as a Labourer-Teacher for Frontier College. Dig worked on the CN Line, building rail lines and steel work. He was paid 90 cents per hour by the Railway and volunteered for Frontier College to teach mostly English as a second language in the evenings and on week-ends to the almost 99% foreigners that inhabited the camp. Dig enjoyed his experiences with Frontier College and continued to work during the summer months for four years as a Labourer Teacher.

In 1958, Dig was offered the position of Principal at Long Island Digby College (grades 9, 10 and 11), but it was Halifax where his heart was and so after several years he moved back to Halifax and became a teacher at Bicentennial High and continued his practice of volunteerism and taught ESL (at BiHi) in the evenings.

This became a lifelong trend for Dig, teaching night school and helping others to “be the best they can be”. At Bicentennial High, Dig was involved in special education and work experience out of his classroom. It wasn’t long before the Halifax Regional School Board recognized the work of Mr. Nichols and he became the Vocational Adjustment Councilor for the Halifax Regional School Board where he was involved in developing adult programs and other opportunities for adults – all the while still teaching night school.

It wasn’t too long before Dig, because of his excellent work, became the Director of Continuing Education and put in 27 years of hard work and dedication for the adults of the Halifax Regional Municipality. Dig and his team were responsible for many achievements, specifically:

• Founded the English Language Centre;
• Founded the Dartmouth Immigrant Orientation Association;
• Founded the Dartmouth Literacy Network
• Founding member of the then Metro Council on Continuing Education (now “MCCE”);
• Founding member of the Dartmouth Work Activity Society (and served on the Board for 13 years);
• Responsible for Developing Community Schools, four in particular, to provide after-school help and to deliver courses to the community, for example, Waste Management;
• Founding member of the Hombridge Youth Society (6 in Metro Halifax) and was involved for 6 years;

Dig is now retired and happily finds odd jobs to keep him busy. He does some invigilating for the Universities and his wife is still involved in literacy in one form or another. He is a man that has spent his life going beyond the call of duty and while he attributes his successes to having wonderful people supporting him, I can only imagine how his energy and devotion would have rubbed off on these people thereby making it all look easy.

Calendar of Events

Metro Council on Continuing Education hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year. Please visit the MCCE website on a regular basis to find out what's new.

 

Past Events from MCCE:

Democracy 250

Democracy 250 luncheon with Russell MacLellan QC and 24th Premier of Nova Scotia

February 14th 11:30 - 1:30 pm

Westin Hotel

Farmers' Markets

A Creative Learning Venue for Social and Economic Development

Panel Discussion (see Home page for details)

Tuesday November 27th , 2007 ,   11:30 - 1:30

Event: MCCE Learning display at Literacy Service On October 14th, 2007, at 11 a.m.  the Presbyterian Church of St.  David, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, held a literacy worship service for members of our Halifax community. It was a regular
worship service a thank you to and in honour of those who work in
literacy and those who have undertaken literacy programmes, sometimes
under great sacrifice.
St. David's currently has a programme on Fridays (David's Place) for
low income people which includes those who have not had the resources
available to them to develop their literacy skills (youth and older
adults).
Where: Grafton Street next to Library at Blowers

Events: MCCE Luncheon
Speakers: Percy Paris MLA, Delvina Bernard (CACE), Laurie Edwards (NSCC) , Jamie Baillie (Credit Union Atlantic)
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2007
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: The Westin Hotel, Hollis St., Halifax

Course for Adult Learners

Are you an adult who:

Has not completed high school?

  • Wants to make a change to your life?
  • Wants to find out what your skills are?

 

What is a Portfolio Development Course?

The Portfolio Development Course is a process that helps you look back over your life and identify your skills.  By learning about yourself, you will discover your strengths and will be able to describe your own special skills and talents.  Through resume writing and learning narratives, you will be enabled to set realistic goals for the future.

Reflecting on your life experiences

  • Reflecting on your learning
  • Identifying your skills and talents
  • Putting a resume together
  • Setting goals for the future

Last Start Date:       January 2007

Location:            Cunard Learning Centre, Halifax Nova Scotia