Niceville High School Principal Charlie Marello was recognized as the Okaloosa County School District’s 2024 Secondary Principal of the Year at the school board’s regular meeting Monday.

• Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised Marello’s leadership and dedication to the students and staff at Niceville High.

“He embodies energy and enthusiasm. He’s someone who absolutely cares about the students at the school to the point where you walk down the halls, he knows the students by name,” Chambers said. “I think if there are four nighttime events, you might see him at four nighttime events. This is someone who cares about Niceville and cares about this school district.”

Marello has prioritized improving student learning and emphasized shared leadership among staff since becoming principal at Niceville.

• “Building and maintaining a strong school culture that emphasizes the overall wellbeing of our stakeholders breeds student success,” Marello wrote. “As the instructional leader at Niceville High School, improving student learning is my number one priority. I have consistently communicated the importance of shared leadership and emphasize the role that everyone plays in determining the success of Niceville High School.”

Marello thanked his wife, Allison, who previously taught English at Niceville High for 18 years in room 622.

“She taught 9th and 11th grade English and then I got promoted and wrecked all of that,” said Marello while speaking to the board. “Always appreciate that sacrifice that she made so I could be the head Eagle.”

He also thanked his administrative team and fellow principals across the District for their support. He also expressed gratitude to Chambers for recruiting him to work for the district following 15 years in Walton County.

• “That was about two hours of commuting. That was a quality of life thing that was suffering there,” Marello said of his previous role as principal at Emerald Coast Middle School in Walton County. “So when Mr. Chambers gave me a call that a potential job opening was happening in Okaloosa County, it was time for me to come home and I will always appreciate you reaching out and making that happen for me.”