About the NolaNerdCouple

Welcome to NolaNerdCouple.com — Our Family, Our Passions, Our Adventures

We’re two teachers who met while working at the same school, fell in love, and eventually got married. Bonded by our passion for learning and our love for all things geeky, we started blogging in 2010 as CookTravelEat.com. The blog evolved and became the NolaNerdCouple. We write about lots of things, whether it’s traveling to new destinations, sharing great meals, attending comic cons, collecting vinyl, or diving into the next must-read book or movie.

Our adventures and shared interests inspired us to create this website, not just for our friends who wanted to follow along, but for anyone who shares our curiosity and enthusiasm for nerd and pop culture.

Now, our greatest adventure is raising our daughter, who has become an eager and enthusiastic part of our blogging journey. Many of our stories now feature her unique perspective and excitement as she discovers the world right alongside us. She is old enough to read this, and she can always opt out of everything related to the blog.

Whether you’re a longtime friend, a fellow educator, a passionate traveler, or simply someone who loves geeking out over music, food, and fandom, we’re excited to have you here. We hope you find inspiration, helpful tips, and a sense of community in our posts.

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Mrs. Nola Nerd

Sharing Adventures, Stories, and Geeky Passions Since 2010

Welcome to our little corner of the internet! I’m Mrs. Nola Nerd—a 40-something lifelong nerd, educator, and traveler with a deep love for Star Wars, The Legend of Zelda, vinyl records, autographs, Third Man Records, and all things geeky. Since 2010, I’ve been sharing my adventures, discoveries, and favorite finds here at NolaNerdCouple.com, inviting you to journey right along with our family.

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A Life on the Move: My Roots and Inspirations

My passion for travel and food comes straight from my family. Growing up, we moved often—across Ohio, California, Australia, and Louisiana—before finally settling in the greater New Orleans area. Each move gave me a new perspective, a taste of new cultures, and a deeper appreciation for the comforting flavors of home-cooked meals, especially those prepared by my father, an Italian chef born and raised in Italy.

Though my family eventually relocated to Florida when I went to college, I stayed behind in Louisiana. I graduated, started my career as a teacher, and set down roots in a place that truly feels like home.

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Overcoming Loss, Finding Love, and Building a Nerdy Life

The year 2005 brought immense challenges. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and I lost my father to lung cancer. Yet, through those hardships, I also found hope and love. Hurricane Katrina led me to Mr. Nola Nerd, my best friend and ultimate partner in adventure.

Our shared love for all things nerdy—from conventions to concerts, from video games to movies—became the foundation for both our marriage and this blog.

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From Duo to Trio: The Nola Nerd Family

In February 2018, our greatest journey began: we became parents to our wonderful daughter. She is now an energetic and creative seven-year-old who eagerly participates in our blog. Her curiosity and fresh perspective add a new dimension to our stories, making this truly a family endeavor.

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Teaching, Learning, and Blogging: How Being an Educator Shapes Our Blog

My experience as an educator is at the heart of everything I do on NolaNerdCouple.com. Teaching has taught me the value of patience, curiosity, and cultural awareness. These same values guide our blog:

• Educational Insights: I strive to make every post informative and engaging, offering readers not just stories but context, history, and practical tips.
• Inclusivity and Community: As a teacher, I know the importance of creating a welcoming environment. Our blog is a space where all nerds—no matter their background or interests—are celebrated.
• Curiosity and Discovery: Just as I encourage my students to try new things, I hope to inspire you to explore new places, foods, fandoms, and experiences.

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Our Mission: Inspiring and Connecting with You

Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration, a new recipe, insights into Louisiana’s rich history, or simply a place to geek out about your favorite fandoms, we hope you find something that sparks your curiosity here. Our goal is to share honest stories, practical advice, and a little bit of joy, helping you discover new adventures and feel part of a welcoming, nerdy community.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We’re excited to share our world with you!

Mr. Nola Nerd’s Bio

Hi! I’m Kurt Hargis, aka Mr. Nola Nerd. Together with my wife and our amazing 7-year-old, we are the heart and soul behind NolaNerdCouple.com. What started as CookTravelEat.com has grown into a space where we share our love for music, travel, food, comic cons, movies, and family life in Louisiana.

As a proud dad, husband, and lifelong nerd, I find joy in exploring new places, collecting vinyl records, cooking, and discovering the best eats wherever we go. Whether it’s braving the crowds at comic cons, searching for rare LPs, or building family traditions in New Orleans and beyond, our blog is all about embracing curiosity together.

While I am able-bodied passing, I do have a disease called pallindromic rheumatism which is poorly described as pre-RA. Living with palindromic rheumatism brings its challenges, but it also teaches me resilience and gratitude daily. My family is my foundation, and every adventure—big or small—is better with them by my side.

Proud Dad to a Wonderful 7-Year-Old

Above all, I am the proud father of a fantastic 7-year-old who inspires me to see the world with fresh eyes. Parenthood not only shapes my perspective as a blogger and educator but also reminds me of the importance of patience, wonder, and celebrating every milestone. Many of our stories and experiences are shared through this lens of family and discovery, which allows us to often focus our content toward families.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

• Travel Guides & Tips: Explore our favorite destinations, from Edinburgh to Florence to hidden Louisiana gems.
• Food & Cooking: Recipes, restaurant reviews, and culinary adventures for families and foodies.
• Music & Pop Culture: Vinyl treasures, concert experiences, and everything Star Wars.
• Comic Cons & Nerd Life: Insights, cosplay tips, and honest reflections on the con experience.
• Parenting & Family Life: Real stories about raising a young nerd and balancing work, play, and learning.

My Professional Journey as an Educator

Award-Winning Louisiana Teacher

By day, I’m an educator at Destrehan High School with over 20 years of classroom experience. My journey from history major to computer science teacher has shaped my approach to teaching, blending innovation, empathy, and a relentless commitment to my students.

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Champion for Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

I’m proud to have built a diverse computer science program, with over 50% female enrollment, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field and encouraging all students to thrive in STEM.

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Recognition and Professional Achievements

• 2023 Louisiana History Teacher of the Year (Gilder Lehrman Institute)
• Selected for the National Humanities Center’s Summer Institute for African American Studies
• Presenter for Learning for Justice’s Teaching Hard History program
• Leadership roles: department chair, data analyst, turnaround trainer, and school improvement planner

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Teaching Philosophy

My teaching is rooted in building relationships, cultural responsiveness, and meeting each student where they are. I strive to create an inclusive, supportive classroom environment where everyone feels valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential, not just as students, but as people.

This same philosophy guides how I write and share on NolaNerdCouple.com. Just as I work to connect with every student, I see this blog as a way to connect with fellow nerds, families, and curious explorers—no matter where they’re starting from. My goal is to create a welcoming space where we can geek out over music, movies, comic cons, Star Wars, and all things “nerdy,” while also making everyone feel seen and accepted.

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Lifelong Learner and Leader

I continually seek new ways to grow, present at national conferences, and collaborate with educators from across the country. My greatest fulfillment comes not from accolades, but from making a difference in my students’ lives.

This commitment to diversity and inclusion doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it’s woven into every part of NolaNerdCouple.com. Just as I strive to create an inclusive learning environment, I want this blog to be a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of background, gender, or experience level, feels accepted, represented, and inspired to pursue their passions

Meet the Youngest Member: The Nola Nerd Kid

Welcoming the Nola Nerd Trio

In February 2018, our family grew by one, and we officially became the Nola Nerd Trio. Our daughter, affectionately known as the Nola Nerd Kid, is not only the cutest member of our team but also a big part of what makes our adventures so special.

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Personality, Passions, and Play

From the start, the Nola Nerd Kid has brought joy, laughter, and curiosity to everything we do. She’s an outgoing, extroverted person who is now enrolled in multiple dance, tumbling, and musical theater classes. She is also a Girl Scout and will bridge from being a Daisy to a Brownie soon.

And she is killing it in school.

Her eagerness to learn and her love of exploring new experiences continually inspire our blog content, bringing a fresh, youthful perspective to our stories and adventures.

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Our Approach to Family and Privacy

While our daughter enthusiastically participates in our blogging journey—often popping up in photos, helping with reviews, or inspiring new adventures—we’re mindful of her privacy. You may notice that we rarely use her actual name online and focus on sharing her experiences in a respectful, age-appropriate way. Our policy is simple: we’ll continue to write about her and include her in our stories until she asks us not to. Her comfort and privacy always come first.

As she has grown older in an increasingly digital world, she often wants to participate in making videos and taking pictures for the blog. Again, we want her to have control, and when she decides not to participate, she won’t.

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How She Enriches the Nola Nerd Blog

Having our daughter involved has transformed our blog in wonderful ways:

• Family-Friendly Content: We now share more tips, reviews, and stories for families traveling, dining, or exploring together.
• New Perspectives: Her curiosity and openness encourage us to see the world through fresh eyes, making our adventures even more meaningful.
• Inspiration for Readers: We hope her enthusiasm inspires other families to embrace new experiences, try new foods, and celebrate their own “nerdy” interests together.

To really understand the impact she has on our lives, read these blogs:

• Road to Conception
• Nausea and PrePartum DepressionI
• Birth and PostPartum
• Daddy’s Version of the three stories above
• The girl loves her Star Wars Toys
• Also, read our parenting blogs to find out more about this cute little bundle of joy.

Connect and Collaborate

If you’re interested in collaborating, inviting me to speak, or learning more about my work, please reach out at nolanerdcouple@gmail.com