Former valedictorian of Muscogee County school may soon be its new principal
A former valedictorian of a Columbus school is one step away from being its leader.
Christine Hull will be the next principal of Hardaway High School if the Muscogee County School Board approves the recommendation from superintendent David Lewis.
The board is scheduled to vote on the selection during its May 18 meeting.
Hull is MCSD’s director of advanced learning and gifted programs, which includes the St. Elmo Center. She would succeed Matt Bell, who has been Hardaway’s principal for 15 years.
Last month, the board approved Lewis’ recommendation to promote Bell to fill a vacancy that will be left by the retirement of James Wilson, one MCSD’s three region chiefs.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported in February that Wilson is scheduled to retire at the end of this school year to become the dean of students for grades 8-12 at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, a new position at the Columbus private school.
According to the MCSD board’s agenda, Hull has been an educator for 17 years, all in the district.
She began her teaching career in January 2003 as a long-term substitute at Hardaway. In August 2003, she was hired as an English teacher at Northside High School. She was promoted to assistant principal at Northside in 2013, then her current position in 2016.
Hull was Hardaway’s Class of 1999 valedictorian. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Georgia Southern University in 2002, a master’s degree in the same subject from Columbus State University in 2005 and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from CSU in 2012.
She was MCSD’s Teacher of the Year in 2009 and one of 10 finalists for the Georgia Teacher of the Year award in 2011.
“As a former MCSD Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Hull has distinguished herself as a consummate professional educator, with high expectations, who has rightfully earned the respect of students, parents, and colleagues alike,” Lewis told the Ledger-Enquirer in an emailed interview Monday. “She possesses a varied and thorough knowledge base relative to high school curriculum, instruction, and administration.
“Furthermore, the insight she has gained in her current role, as the Director of Advanced Learning, working with Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and International Baccalaureate programs, will serve her well in leading a high school. Moreover, the fact that she is a graduate and Valedictorian of Hardaway High not only ensures familiarity with school traditions, but promotes a unique sense of legacy and inspiration for the Hardaway High School community.”
Hull told the Ledger-Enquirer in an emailed interview Monday that she is “humbled and honored to be recommended by Dr. Lewis to the school board for this position and for the potential to serve my alma mater. If the board votes to approve the appointment, I know I have some very big shoes to fill following Mr. Matt Bell, Mr. Keith Seifert, and Mr. Roger Hatcher — all fine principals and phenomenal educational leaders with whom I have worked for the past several years and hold in great esteem. I am excited to help the students and staff at Hardaway High School continue to grow and to reach ambitious goals.”
Hull’s family also is connected to Hardaway. Her mother, Dominique Williams, worked at Hardaway for 18 of her 34 years in education (1987-2004) as a special education teacher, department chair and yearbook adviser. Her brother, Michael Williams, graduated from Hardaway in 2002.
“I spent my entire childhood, my teenage years, and even a little time after college growing up in the halls of the school and being a part of the Hardaway Family,” she said. “The chance to be a Hawk again is both inspiring and a little surreal. My return would most certainly be sentimental for me and for my family.”
Hull added, “I have also been privileged to work with fantastic teams at Northside High School, in the MCSD Division of Teaching and Learning, and at St. Elmo Center for the Gifted. These wonderful professionals continue to inspire me with their dedication to the students and teachers of our district, and I cannot thank them enough for their enduring support.”
This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 11:23 AM.
