I have been dedicated to the field of education for over 20 years, with most of my experience at the elementary level. I graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education and completed my Master's in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. I was honored to be a part of the Superintendent's Leadership Academy, where I collaborated with other educators from Gaston County Schools while pursuing my Master's degree.

This will be my third year at Holbrook Middle School, and I am eager to continue supporting our students as they excel academically, socially, and emotionally. I look forward to witnessing their growth and success in all areas, from academic achievements to extracurricular activities and personal development.

In my free time, I cherish moments with my family. My husband Josh and I have three wonderful children. We survived our first year as "empty nesters" as all three of our children are now in college. Our twins, Jacob and Emma, attend UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University, respectively, while our oldest, Jackson, is a senior at UNC Charlotte. I also have a passion for reading and love attending sporting events.

I am excited for another amazing year at Holbrook Middle School and can't wait to see what our students will achieve! Go lions!

With a passion for educational excellence and student success, bringing over 15 years of experience in education,  I am committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-achieving environment, I enjoy working closely with staff, students, and families to support academic growth, positive behavior, and community engagement.

Prior to becoming an Assistant Principal, I served as a classroom teacher, cheer coach, department head at Southwest Middle School, where I developed a deep understanding of curriculum development, instructional strategies, and student-centered learning.

I hold a degree in Educational Studies from North Carolina A&T State University and a Master’s in Executive Leadership from Gardner Webb University. I am dedicated to lifelong learning and leadership development.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending quality time with family and believe in the importance of balancing personal and professional life. Whether it’s attending Friday night football for my senior or weekend adventures with my husband. Family remains a cornerstone of my life.

I am honored to serve the Holbrook Middle School community, and I'm committed to helping every student reach their full potential.

Hi there! My name is Nicki Balcziunas, and I’m a North Carolina Principal Fellow and currently serving as an assistant principal at Holbrook. I’m originally from Vidalia, Georgia, and have spent almost ten years teaching high school history and social studies in both Georgia and North Carolina. I earned my bachelor’s degree in history from Georgia Southern University (go eagles!) and my master’s in secondary education from Middle Georgia State University. I’m currently finishing up another masters degree in school administration at UNC Charlotte.

I’ve absolutely loved my move to North Carolina! The beautiful natural scenery and kind, welcoming people have made the transition so special. I’m incredibly excited to start this new chapter at a new school and in a new role, and I can’t wait to work together to help our students thrive.

Outside of school, you can usually find me spending time with my amazing friends and family, hanging out with my sweet dog Fig Newton, or exploring every new café I can find in search of the perfect matcha latte. I also love music and going to concerts. There’s nothing better than a live show with good people and great energy!