CCSD Names 2026 Counselor of the Year!

The Cherokee County School District’s Counselor of the Year is known for delivering extraordinary support of student success.

Hillary Nichols of Cherokee High School was surprised today with the honor she’s the Cherokee County School District 2026 Counselor of the Year and now advances to the statewide competition!  Congratulations to Ms. Nichols, thank you to award sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia, and thank you to our School Board for its laser focus on ensuring our students are learning more, growing more, and achieving more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis was joined in the surprise presentation by School Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, senior staff, and Credit Union of Georgia representatives who presented Ms. Nichols with a $500 Visa gift card.  Credit Union of Georgia also will award a $100 Visa gift card to each of the Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year.  

“She does so much for our kids — not just at our school but for the whole community,” Principal Andy Hall said. “I couldn’t be prouder for her.  She’s so well-deserving.”

While the presentation was a surprise, the honor came as no surprise to the students, families, colleagues and administrators who have benefitted from Ms. Nichols’ unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication over her nine-year career with CCSD.  She has served for the last two years at Cherokee HS, where she heads the counseling department and serves as school webmaster and wellness ambassador.  

“My mission is to ensure that every Warrior feels informed, supported, and empowered to design a high school experience that aligns with their goals, interests, and aspirations,” she said.

Her most recent improvements to the counseling program include enhancing the high school club and elective fair and building a course registration website.

“These initiatives directly align with our school district’s mission to prepare students for life beyond the classroom by increasing awareness of academic, career, and extracurricular pathways at our school,” she said.  “It reflects the heart of my work as a school counselor: walking alongside students during their milestones, celebrating their growth, and helping them see what is possible.” 

Ms. Nichols also is continuing her own education as she pursues a doctorate of education degree in professional counseling and supervision.  She has earned a bachelor’s degree in education, master of education degree in professional school counseling, and education specialist degree in school counseling.  Ms. Nichols has served her entire career in CCSD, beginning at Woodstock HS in 2017, followed by service at i-Grad Virtual Academy prior to joining CHS.  She is a graduate of the CCSD Superintendent’s Leadership Academy program and was named a 2024 “Top 10 in 10 Young Professional to Watch” by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

The award process begins with each innovation zone selecting a counselor of the year. Applications from these honorees then are considered by a panel of retired educators and community leaders, who select the CCSD Counselor of the Year. 

Our Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year are: Cherokee Zone, Hillary Nichols of Cherokee HS;
Creekview Zone, Susanna Brooks of Free Home ES; Etowah Zone, Robert Arsenault of Clark Creek ES STEM Academy; River Ridge Zone, Heather Duley of Johnston ES; Sequoyah Zone, Colleen DeLosh of Indian Knoll ES; Woodstock Zone, Sarah Bigelow of Freedom MS. 

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