Beloved Nolan teacher Don Cox reflects on 50 years in the classroom
Biology teacher Don Cox is shown in his classroom at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth on Sept. 11, 2024. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
As a high school freshman, Bella Steele already knew which teacher would help her don the graduation robe when the time came to graduate.
A traditional rite of passage at Nolan Catholic High School, the robing ceremony celebrates the relationship between a student and faculty member who inspired him or her.
“Mr. [Don] Cox was my favorite teacher at Nolan — always encouraging and willing to provide help if needed,” remembered the 2024 Nolan graduate. “He made biology easy.”
Now a freshman at Texas A&M University, the 19-year-old chose biology as a major with the hope of pursuing a career in dentistry.
“I liked what we did in biology class,” Steele said. “It was a factor in my going in that direction.”
After 50 years in the classroom — nine of them at Nolan Catholic — Don Cox knows how to engage students in the classroom using creativity, humor, and kindness. His blueprint for innovative lesson plans was inspired by a 1974 film “Conrack” based on the autobiographical book “The Water is Wide” by Pat Conroy. The story centers around Conroy’s experiences trying to teach a group of underprivileged, illiterate 10- to 13-year-olds who lived on an island off the coast of South Carolina and knew little of the real world. His unconventional teaching methods led to battles with narrow-minded school district administrators.
“He did all these different things with the kids, like teaching them to swim and showing them wildflowers,” recalled Cox, who worked as a hospital lab technician during college and initially considered studying medicine. “After seeing the movie and reading the book, I thought I’d really like to be a teacher.”
His medical background made teaching biology a natural choice. After graduating from the University of North Texas, Cox began his career in education at Duncanville High School, where he remained for 22 years. A new principal then hired him at his alma mater, Richland High School, telling the seasoned educator, “I need someone who can work with kids because I have a lot of people here who can’t do that.”
Frustrated by an overemphasis on student performance on standardized testing, Cox left the public school system for St. Vincent Episcopal School and then Nolan Catholic.
“I was doing all this practice teaching and couldn’t be creative,” he pointed out. “In the private schools, I got to do the things I love to do.”
How do you make science interesting to distracted teenagers? For Cox, it involves telling a few classroom jokes, engaging students in conversation, and finding new ways to teach old concepts.
“Between classes I sit out in the hall and when the kids go by, I give them a high five or talk about the football game,” said the ardent Texas Longhorn and Cowboys fan. “I’m always trying to encourage the kids as much as I can.”
His positive energy generates results. Four years ago, a student struggling academically confided to Cox he didn’t expect to graduate from Nolan. “So I began working with him and he became motivated,” said the veteran teacher. “The kid is graduating this year and I’m excited for him. That’s what keeps me coming back when people ask if I’m going to retire.”
Dedicated to preparing tomorrow’s faith-filled leaders, Nolan Catholic nurtures students and provides a top-tier learning environment. The young men and women he meets in the classroom are exceptional, according to Cox.
“When I give assignments out, the kids say thank you. They’re so polite,” he explained. “And I haven’t heard any cuss words in the nine years I’ve been here. Teaching the kids at Nolan nourishes my soul. They inspire me to be a better teacher.”
Raised Southern Baptist, Cox joined the Episcopal church after marrying his wife, Kit, but the couple are now Anglican. Nolan’s commitment to faith and character development is something he embraces.
“At Nolan, we get a chance to teach, and we get a chance to teach faith,” he emphasized. “I love that we pray before class.”
In addition to his classroom duties, the 72-year-old is the announcer at Nolan Viking football and basketball games as well as school dances.
“He’s known as the golden voice of the Vikings,” enthused Tom Roanhaus, dean of student formation. “He does announcing at other places too, but always makes time in his schedule for Nolan.”
The school’s former security and safety director came to Nolan the same year as Cox and praises his colleague’s ability to connect with students.
“Don is really here for the kids and he’s a great teacher of the subject matter — biology,” Roanhaus continued. “Parents know when their student is in Don’s class, he’s teaching to the kid and not the ‘seat’.”
Although well past the age when most teachers retire, promises made will keep the Arlington resident in the classroom a little longer.
“There are a lot of kids who want me to robe them and that’s a big deal here,” explained Cox, who’s already committed to presenting the Marian blue graduation gown to seniors in 2025 and 2026. “People always ask me when I’m going to retire, but I work with a great group of kids who want to learn and amazing colleagues. I just love what I’m doing. I love to teach.”