Meet our Team.

Let us introduce you to some of our amazing team members. Our team is passionate for helping others. Our clear understanding is what makes Nichols Partners stand out from the rest. You will find that our team works hard to help your family reach their greatest potential. Get to know us below!

Erica Nichols

Founder and Director

Erica has been a teacher in many scenarios, from small and larger private schools to public school. In 2012, she helped start a Montessori School. During her six years there, she discovered the need for special education services in the private school setting. She was thrilled to discover that Ohio has an opportunity for families to get specifically designed instruction for their students outside of the public school if they choose that route. She became a provider for the Jon Peterson and Ohio Autism Scholarships and began helping families find the services they were looking for.

Erica finds great joy in creating teams to help support each child. "It is a blessing to get to do this work!"

Barb Vollette

Barb Vollette is a seasoned behavioral health professional and educator with 28 years of experience supporting children from preschoolers to young adulthood in home, school and clinical settings. She has a Masters degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout her career, Barb has specialized in addressing a diverse range of diagnoses including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, complex trauma, mental health disorders, and chronic complex physical disabilities. In her free time, Barb enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching sports and hiking.

Amy Martin

Amy is thrilled to be the Assistant to the Director of Nichols Partners! Amy has years of administrative experience from Matthew 25: Ministries, RiteRug Flooring, Beazer Homes and Crossmann Communities. She taught 3rd grade for a couple of years in the 1990's and is happy to use her educational experience again.

In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, golfing, camping (in a tent!), walking, and reading. She likes figuring out all the details and helping to make your student's experience with the Nichols Partners' educational services run as smoothly as possible.

Megan Shockey

Megan is an intervention specialist. She graduated in 2022 with her degree in Special Education from Western Governors University. She is passionate about supporting each child and meeting their needs as a whole child; physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Megan also loves getting to know the students as individuals in the community. Beyond the classroom Megan loves experiencing life with her young daughter and husband!

Tricia Reynolds

Tricia Reynolds is an educational aide who started out subbing in a Montessori school in a variety of age-ranged classrooms for several years, and fell in love with how students of all abilities could thrive in that environment.

Tricia’s favorite part about working with Nichols Partners is watching the students come alive as she learns what motivates them and connects with who they are!

When Tricia is not working with students, she enjoys spending time on her property in Loveland with two teenage boys, chickens, and bees wondering what idea her husband will have next!

Brian Woods

Brian is the owner of Woods IT Consulting, and is excited to work with Erica and Nichols Partners to help them grow and develop good technology practices. He has worked in the IT field for over 20 years and have supported schools and educational organizations for the majority of that time.

Outside of work, Brian enjoys camping with his family, and watching the Bengals.

Juli Smith

Juli is an Intervention Specialist with a Master’s degree and over 22 years' experience. She has taught in both larger public schools and smaller homeschool settings. Juli has worked K-12+, as she has also coached young adults as they transition from secondary education. She loves to help individuals find how they learn best, and encourage them to continue to learn, grow and to achieve their greatest potentials. She has taught ASL American Sign Language I & II, US History, Government, Economics, Dave Ramsey’s Financial class, Algebra I & II, Geometry and has created coursework for Vocational and College Awareness. Juli loves to find ways to make learning fun for all.

When Juli is not working, she loves to spend her time being a Chaplain and Prayer Pastor at her church. She loves cheering on her favorite teams at sporting events, taking walks, traveling with her husband and family, and finding outlets for her creative side.

Tammy Jennings

Tammy has taught in many different settings for the past 30 years: starting out in a public school in NY, then to homeschooling her 3 sons, working as intervention support at a private school, then a Montessori school. She has spent the last 5 years tutoring students with Nichols Partners. She loves this newest chapter of teaching and working with students. She's passionate about being able to work with students one on one, giving them the time and guidance, just how they need it.
When not teaching, Tammy loves to be biking, hiking, gardening or spending time with her grandchildren!

Michelle Redden

In 2023, Michelle retired from the public school system after 34 years as an Intervention Specialist. The majority of her years were spent in grades 2-6, but she has also guided students in 7th grade, as well as kindergarteners and first graders. She made countless memories over the years. Her fondest are of the relationships she formed with other teachers, administrators, parents, and especially with her "kids."
In 2024, she began to sub at Community Montessori through Nichols Partners in the pre-primary classroom. She loved observing the youngest learners and hearing about the Montessori Method from the teachers.
She began one-on-one intervention during 2024 summer learning and continued part-time over the course of the 2024-2025 school year. She's excited to continue guiding students for years to come!
She loves spending time with family and friends, as well as reading, walking, working out, and cooking.

Jennifer McKinney

Jennifer has been in the education field for over 25 years as a teacher in public, private, charter, homeschool co-op, and online. For the last 12 years, she has been homeschooling her two children while her family has been serving various communities. She is excited to take on this new adventure as a homeschool tutor for Nichols Partners. She loves to find how to infuse an excitement for learning in children and teaching them to be life-long learners. Her passion is science, and she has a deep love for history and literature. Jennifer has enjoyed teaching a wide range of subjects and students in her classrooms over the years.
A love of adventure serves Jennifer well as she serves with her husband in various countries. In her free time, she loves being in nature and has an obsession with plants. She also enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.