October 28, 2025 -- Every Columbus City Schools (CCS) principal carries a story; one shaped by lessons, mentors, and moments that defined who they are as leaders today. For some, being a principal was always the goal. For others, it was a calling. South High School Principal Christy Nickerson’s path to education began with a conversation that changed everything.

“I love this work because I am the student I now serve,” Nickerson said. “I am a representation of what it’s like for a person or people to love you and invest in you. What a difference they can make in the trajectory of my life. It’s only right that I’m here to pay it forward.”

As a teenager, Nickerson was bold, sometimes defiant, but full of potential. One day, a guidance counselor pulled her aside. Instead of scolding Nickerson, the guidance counselor chose to talk with her.  That moment changed her direction. She graduated from high school and attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. 

“My high school counselor saw something in me,” Nickerson said. “She didn’t give up on me, and that made all the difference.”

Initially, she planned to become a doctor, driven by a love of science and a desire to help others. However, late in her college career, she enrolled in an education course, and her purpose came into focus. 

“Once I took my first education class, I was hooked,” Nickerson said. “I immediately changed my major from biology pre-med to biology education and worked exclusively in urban education ever since.”

After earning her degree, Nickerson began teaching ninth-grade science. She quickly learned that her students wanted more than lessons in biology; they wanted to know their teacher cared about them. 

“I was responsible for making sure all of the ninth graders passed science,” Nickerson said. “Very quickly, the students let me know they wanted teachers who cared about them. If I cared about them, then they would learn my science and everything else. So I got really involved. I started going to their games and showing up for them.”

Nickerson’s students taught her that connection was the foundation of learning. That lesson became the center of her leadership philosophy. When she joined CCS in 2020, she brought that same passion for connection and community to South High School.

“It’s just been a blessing for me to be in a school like South,” Nickerson said. “I feel like my work and my abilities as an administrator and a leader can really make a difference in a place like this. We have kids who need to see people who really care about them.”

Under Nickerson’s leadership, student voices became the driving force for change. South’s Student Council worked with administrators to develop solutions centered on student well-being, including the creation of a Bulldog Break Room, a calming space for students to practice emotional regulation.

“This information came straight from the Panorama Survey, and our student leaders put the solutions in place,” Nickerson said. “To create a college- and career-focused culture, we’ve instituted annual HBCU college tours and host a college fair in February. More than 15 colleges show up to help our families learn more about scholarships, FAFSA, and support students to complete their studies.”

“Principal Nickerson is deeply committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and inspired,” said Principal Coach Dr. Edmund Baker. 

That commitment doesn’t go unnoticed. Students at South say they feel supported and encouraged to grow because of her presence and leadership.

“Mrs. Nickerson helps us get better each day,” said South High School junior Shay’nna Bennett. “[Nickerson] is a driven, courageous principal. She puts a lot of effort into the school to give all of the students a welcoming experience. I don’t think the students always understand what it takes to run a school like this. She is amazing and I love her very much.” 

As CCS celebrates National Principals Month, leaders like Christy Nickerson remind us that leadership often grows from the lessons we needed most as young people. Her journey from a bold, expressive student to a steadfast principal reflects the heart of education, guiding others forward to their purpose.