At the May 23 Troy City Schools Board of Education Meeting, Nicholas Townsend was unanimously approved as the new principal at Charles Henderson Middle School. 

Townsend is a Montgomery native and graduate of Carver High School. He went on to begin school at Florida A&M before turning to the military, joining the U.S. Air Force. Townsend earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University of Montgomery and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Auburn. 

Townsend was hired at the school board meeting alongside new Troy Elementary Principal Kristi Lewis. 

“They both bring years of educational experience and with building strong relationships with school communities,” Troy City Schools Superintendent Cynthia Thomas said. “We are confident that they both will be strong advocates for our students, staff and families, and will continue to uphold the high standards and values of our district.”

Townsend departed from the military to begin his teaching career at Fitzpatrick Elementary School in Montgomery. Teaching, though, was something Townsend never thought he’d be doing.

“As much as I hated school coming up, I never thought I would be an educator one day in my life,” he said with a laugh. “When I graduated high school, I didn’t know what I was going to do but I knew it wouldn’t be school and here it is 22 years later and I’m still in education and still loving it and still loving being around kids.” 

Townsend said it was his love for working with children and being a positive influence on their lives that drew him to education. Over the years, Townsend has served at a number of schools in practically every role imaginable. 

“I’ve worked at every level of the school system from elementary to middle school and high school,” he said. “I’ve served as a lead classroom teacher, graduation coach, guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal.”

Townsend has served as the principal at Calhoun High School for the past decade. It was a connection to former Charles Henderson football coach Quinn Hambrite and current CHHS Athletic Director Director and Assistant Principal Angelo Wheeler that first drew Townsend’s interest to Troy.

“Troy City Schools looked like what I’m familiar with, meaning a community school system, a tight knit group where everyone kind of knows each other and collaborates and helps each other,” he said. “Coach Hambrite is someone that talked very highly of the area and Mr. Wheeler I knew, as well, and he speaks so highly of the school system.”

Townsend said coming for his interview sealed the deal for him, he knew he wanted to be at Troy City Schools.

“It was one of those things where I just prayed about it and I got a great feeling about this place, especially when I came to the interview,” he continued. “It didn’t even feel like an interview, it felt like I was having a discussion with peers. It’s that community feel that I tend to like.” 

Townsend said his goal for CHMS is to continue building on the excellence the school already provides.

“I really just want to continue the standing tradition and excellence here and see if I can further that,” said Townsend. “The bottom line is that once kids leave my school and move on to high school, I want them to be successful. Ultimately, more so, I want them to be productive citizens in whatever trade or profession they decide to pursue after school, as well.”