Principal Dr. Nicely joined the Knox County Schools in 1991 as a kindergarten teacher at Powell Elementary School and has also taught at Sunnyview Primary School. Dr. Nicely also served as a Curriculum and Instruction Facilitator and a Math coach before entering school administration in 2008 as an Assistant Principal at Dogwood Elementary school. Dr. Nicely also served as Assistant Principal at Sarah Moore Greene before coming to South Knoxville Elementary in 2014.

Dr. Nicely holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts degree in Instructional Technology, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership all conferred by the University of Tennessee.   Dr. Nicely graduated with her Educational Doctorate in 2016 from East Tennessee State University.