Charlie Marello has been a resident of Niceville for over 30 years.  He is a graduate of Niceville High School, Okaloosa Walton Community College, and The University of West Florida.  He served his first 15 years in education in the Walton County School District progressing from a teacher and coach, to a teacher-on-assignment with administrative duties, to an assistant principal and then principal of Emerald Coast Middle School (ECMS).  ECMS earned an A+ School of Excellence rating every year during Mr. Marello’s three-year tenure as principal.

In 2013, Mr. Marello joined the Okaloosa County School District and accepted the principal position at Destin Middle School (DMS). DMS was also an A+ school of excellence every year during Mr. Marello’s three-year term.  He was appointed principal of Niceville High School in May 2016. He is married with two children.

charles.marello@okaloosaschools.com

Mr. Miller has served Okaloosa County for 20 years as an educator and coach. The last 15 years he has worked as a secondary administrator and is committed to the continued development, growth, and success of Niceville High School. He is thrilled to be working with the faculty, staff and community. Mr. Miller lives in Niceville with his wife Becky who teaches at Edge Elementary School and their two daughters Makayla, a recent graduate of Niceville High School, and Maddie, who is a senior this year at Niceville High School.

MillerC2@okaloosaschools.com

Ms. Childress has been teaching in Okaloosa County for 28 years. She taught math at Ruckel Middle School and was one of the Academic/Math Team coaches. In 2001, she transferred to Niceville High School, and sponsored or co-sponsored Key Club, Future Educators of America, and several groups of senior classes. Becca was a member of the School Advisory Council (SAC) and served on the equitable duty committee. She has been the teacher contact for volleyball and an assistant JV coach for the softball team for the last 8 years.

childressr@okaloosaschools.com

Mrs. Pearson was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and graduated from Northeast High School. She attended the University of Florida, graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2001 and her master’s degree in 2004, both in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine. In 2015, Ms. Pearson made the switch to education, beginning her teaching career in St Lucie County, Florida, where she taught middle grades science and acted as team lead and the athletic director for her K-8 school. In 2019, her family moved to the Niceville area where she taught middle grades science at Shoal River Middle School and was named Teacher of the Year in 2021. Mrs. Pearson was then hired as the District STEM coach, supporting secondary science and math while earning her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida in 2022.

Amy.Pearson@okaloosaschools.com

Mr. Wagner is a product of Okaloosa County Schools.  He graduated from Baker School where he also began his teaching career.  As a successful educator for the past 25 years, he has taught business education courses, CHOICE IT, physical science, and physical education.  He is married with three children and was named Dean of Students in August of 2016.

wagnerb@okaloosaschools.com

Okaloosa County has always been home to Coach Griffin. He is a 1992 graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS). During that time, he was a member of many team sports including the 1991 FWBHS Varsity Football Team who won the FHSAA 4A State Championship and 5th place ranking in the nation.

Upon graduation, Griffin continued his education at Troy University on a football scholarship and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sport and Fitness Management. During his time in Troy, Alabama, he was an adjunct professor and the Director of Technology for the Trojan Athletic Department. He later earned his Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership in 2014.

As a twenty-year veteran in the OCSD, Coach Griffin has served students from kindergarten to high school at Choctawhatchee High School, FWBHS, Wright Elementary School, Destin Middle School, and Ruckel Middle School. He has coached football, track, weightlifting, cheerleading, and baseball. As a strength and conditioning coach, he led three powerlifting teams to runner-up state titles and two teams to state titles. 

griffind@okaloosaschools.com