Rick Anderson - Principal

Mr. Rick Anderson

I began my career in education at Northside High School in 1992, where I taught and coached with great passion. After a year at Chocowinity High School in 1995, I returned to Northside in 1996 and continued teaching and coaching until 2004.

In 2004, I joined Washington High School as Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Baseball Coach, serving there until 2006. That year, I was honored to be appointed principal of Chocowinity Middle School, where in 2007 we earned the "School of Distinction" honor from the state.

In 2008, I became principal of Southside High School, and by 2010, Southside was also recognized as a "School of Distinction." In 2013, I transitioned to Beaufort County Community College as Vice President of Student Services, a role I held until March 2018. When invited to return as principal of Southside High School in April 2018, I happily accepted and served until my retirement in January 2021.

Even in retirement, I remained deeply involved in education, working as a consultant for Beaufort County Schools, NCDPI, and private schools—focusing on curriculum, instruction, and administration. In July 2025, Dr. Cheeseman reached out to ask me to come out of retirement to serve again as principal of Southside High School, and here I am, excited to continue this journey.

I’ve been happily married to my wife, Dee Dee Anderson, for 29 years. We have two sons: Cooper, who lives in Wilmington and works as a Project Manager for S&ME Construction, and Ensign Hayden Anderson, who serves in the United States Coast Guard aboard the Fast Response Cutter Richard Snyder at Fort Macon in Morehead City, NC.