Oceanside Kiwanis Club to honor Todd Nussen with Special Service Award

The Kiwanis Club of Oceanside will present Oceanside High School teacher Todd Nussen with the 2024 Special Service Award on Oct. 17 at the club’s 79th anniversary charter and installation dinner at Temple Avodah, recognizing him for his dedication both inside and outside the classroom.

Nussen, a 19-year veteran of the Oceanside School District, has made a lasting impact through his innovative teaching methods, his leadership of the Patriots Club, and his deep commitment to community service, particularly in honoring veterans. Nussen first learned about the honor in May.

Tom Cesiro Jr., a Kiwanis member and former student nominated Nussen. Board Trustee Sandie Schoell, who served on the selection committee, fully supported the nomination.

“Todd is really a very exceptional individual . . . he has gone above and beyond,” she said. “True community service is when you’re helping somebody who doesn’t even know you helped them,” she said, referencing the values Nussen imparts to his students. “Todd is trying to teach kids about the respect for these men and women who sacrificed so much in service to our country.”

Nussen has connected students with various charitable organizations, such as the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center, Develop Africa, and Dress for Success, emphasizing global citizenship and community outreach.

Nussen’s path to this esteemed recognition stems from his lifelong passion for history. Influenced by his grandfathers — one a World War II veteran and the other a Holocaust survivor — Nussen grew up with a profound respect for history lessons.

“There was a seed planted in me at a very young age about how important history is and how we’re all connected to it,” he said. “I wanted to bring that to life in Oceanside.”

He has been doing just that since he joined the Oceanside High School faculty in 2005. Nussen has developed curriculum for courses like global history and geography, economics and big history. Nussen is one of only 40 international teacher leaders involved in the Big History Project, contributing to curriculum development and shaping interdisciplinary learning.

During his tenure, Todd has taught and helped develop curriculum for several courses including: Global History & Geography II, Big History, Economics, and Government. He’s known for making history relatable and actionable for students, helping them connect past events with current challenges and opportunities.

“I try to make my lessons engaging and relevant,” he explained. “There are times to have fun in the classroom, but when we’re dealing with serious topics, there are moments of gravity that can resonate with students.”

One of Nussen’s most significant contributions to Oceanside has been the creation of the Patriots Club, which he co-founded in 2011, teaching students about democracy, citizenship and service by connecting them with local veterans. Over the years, the Patriots Club has honored Oceanside veterans from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and organized drives for books, DVDs and toiletries to send to U.S. military bases around the world. One of the club’s signature events is the annual Field of Honor during Memorial Day, where more than 150 flags are flown to represent veterans in the community. Through the club, students are able to hear firsthand stories from veterans and engage with living history.

“In the classroom, we often deal with documents and artifacts,” Nussen said. “But when students meet veterans, they’re interacting with actual people. That’s a special experience that brings history to life.”

Nussen also has served on the Race & Equity Committee, the Emergency Response Team, and the Covid-19 School Reentry Committee. He’s also coached the girls’ varsity swim team, guiding several swimmers to compete at county and state championships. Most recently, he became the co-director of the Hard 2 Guard Basketball Camp, another avenue through which he impacts local youth.

In the classroom, Nussen works hard to keep his students engaged.

“I try to make every day a little different,” he said. “It keeps things interesting for them, and it helps develop different skills. I want them to learn content, but I also want to make them smarter by encouraging critical thinking and curiosity.”

His approach has clearly resonated with his students, who often leave his class not just with a deeper understanding of history, but also with an appreciation for how it applies to the world today.

“It’s not just about test scores,” Nussen said. “It’s about when students ask questions, bring in new information, and genuinely care about what they’re learning. Those are the little wins that make me proud.”

He’s quick to credit the support of his colleagues, students and the administration at Oceanside High School for making his initiatives possible.

“I’ve been lucky to work in a school and a district where every idea I’ve brought forward has been supported,” he said. “None of this would work without the amazing colleagues, supervisors and students I have. It’s truly been a collective effort.”

He also acknowledged the role his family has played in his success. When he’s not at school, Nussen spends time with his wife, Maria, and their three daughters, Melina, Natasha and Adriana, who have been his pillars of support throughout his career.

As for the future, Nussen continues to look for ways to improve his teaching and expand the work of the Patriots Club.

“I’m always thinking about what’s next?” he said. “What new ideas can we bring into the classroom? How can we make the Patriots Club even better? There’s always room for growth, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish next.”

As he reflects on his 19 years at Oceanside High School, Nussen remains humble but proud. “This recognition from the Kiwanis Club is incredible,” he said. “But I’m just as proud of the everyday moments — when students are engaged in learning, when we’re honoring a veteran, or when we’re coming together as a community. Those are the moments that matter most.”