Dr. Adrienne Battle announced today the placements of new principals to lead schools across the district for the upcoming school year, as well as some key new leadership appointments at the Support Hub.
New Principal Placements for the 2023-2024
Clarissa Zellars, Academy at Old Cockrill
Ms. Clarissa Zellars earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Florida A&M University and her master’s degree in mathematics education at Alabama A&M University.
She joined Metro Schools as a mathematics teacher in 2000 and has worked in various positions in the district’s Curriculum and Instruction and Federal Programs and Grants Departments, as well as serving as assistant principal at Hillwood and Whites Creek high schools and principal at Antioch High for the past five years.
Nekesha Burnette, Antioch High School
Nekesha Burnette is an experienced MNPS educator and administrator who has prior experience as a teacher and academy coach at Antioch and is currently an assistant principal at Maplewood High.
Ms. Burnette earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at Tennessee State University and an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership at Tennessee Tech University. During her time with Metro Schools, she has taught science at Stratford, Glencliff and Antioch high schools and served as an academy coach, Freshman Academy principal and is currently the Health and Electrical Services Academy principal at Maplewood High.
Dr. Deante’ Alexander, Cane Ridge High School
Dr. Alexander has 12 years’ experience and began his MNPS career as a business and marketing teacher, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and academy lead teacher at Pearl-Cohn. He later served as dean of students at Glencliff High School and as an academy principal at Antioch High, before moving to Wilson County to take a principal position. He is excited to return to MNPS to become Cane Ridge’s next principal.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Middle Tennessee State University and his educational specialist and doctorate degrees in educational leadership from Union University.
Dr. Casey Campbell, Cockrill Elementary (interim to full-time placement)
Dr. Campbell has more than 17 years of experience in education as a teacher, dean of instruction, teacher mentor and assistant principal.
Prior to coming to Cockrill as interim principal, he served as assistant principal at Gower Elementary School for four years.
He holds a master’s degree in special education from Tennessee State University and a doctorate in assessment, learning and school improvement from Middle Tennessee State University.
Jon Mahaffey (interim to full-time placement), Cora Howe
Jon Mahaffey earned his master’s degree in special education from the University of North Texas and his educational specialist degree in education leadership from Lipscomb University.
He began his teaching career with Metro Schools as a high school English teacher before becoming the transition liaison and later the dean of instruction and assistant principal at Cora Howe.
Dr. Hank Staggs (interim to full-time placement), Crieve Hall Elementary School
Dr. Staggs has spent most of his 30-year career serving as a school principal or directly training and coaching school principals. He served as a director at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, a national educational non-profit, and as a senior director at the Tennessee Department of Education. Prior to the TDOE, Dr. Staggs was director and assistant professor of educational leadership at Lipscomb University, served as an adjunct teacher at several local universities, and worked in both principal and assistant principal roles.
He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Freed-Hardeman University, and a doctorate in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University. He has extensive experience and training in leadership coaching and previously held certification with the International Coach Federation as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
Celia Jolly (interim), Croft Middle School
Ms. Jolly has worked for MNPS for more than 22 years as a teacher at Nashville School of the Arts and Stratford High, dean of students at Stratford, and academy principal and Overton and Hillwood High Schools. For the past five years, she has been the academy principal for Hillwood’s Art, Design and Communication/Engineering Academy.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science at Middle Tennessee State University and her master’s degree in educational leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Trevecca.
Dr. Ashley Roby, East Middle
Dr. Ashley Roby has served in Metro Schools since 2005 at both the elementary and middle school levels as a classroom teacher, numeracy coach, Title I facilitator and most recently as the assistant principal at Eakin Elementary.
An MNPS graduate, Dr. Roby holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University and a doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She also holds numerous awards and is involved in various professional and community organizations.
Dr. Tonya Dennis, Haynes Middle School
Dr. Tonya Dennis served nearly three years as principal at Haynes from 2012 to 2015. In addition, she has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at various other district schools, served as an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University, and as an educational consultant for other schools and school systems.
Dr. Dennis earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Tennessee State University, as well as a master’s in public administration and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Akron in Akron, OH. She has obtained numerous educational certifications and is a lifelong learner – both completing and presenting at various professional development workshops and training programs.
Dr. Lauren Hurley Wilson, Andrew Jackson Elementary
Dr. Lauren Hurley Wilson has more than 13 years’ experience as a kindergarten and special education teacher, literacy coach and assistant principal.
She earned her doctorate and educational specialist degrees in administration and leadership from Carson-Newman University, her master’s degree in special education from Vanderbilt University and her bachelor’s degree in education from Tennessee State University.
Dr. Brent Luther (interim), Hull-Jackson Elementary
Dr. Brent Luther has been named the interim principal for Hull-Jackson for the 2023-24 school year.
Dr. Luther is currently an assistant principal at MNPS Virtual School and has more than 12 years of experience. Prior to his current role, he was a teacher and an elementary numeracy instructional specialist.
Amanda Keeley, Joelton Elementary
Ms. Keeley graduated from Merrimack College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in elementary education. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from American College of Education.
She brings more than 19 years of experience with her as a teacher, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She has spent most of her career at Joelton Elementary.
Dr. Tesia Wilson (interim to full-time placement), Jones Paideia
Dr. Tesia Wilson is a graduate of MNPS and has served in the district for nearly 20 years. Her extensive experience as a teacher, literacy coach, teacher mentor and assistant principal has given her an appreciation of each role and how each role works together to build an effective, resourceful, and innovative school culture. She previously served as assistant principal at Alex Green Design Technology Magnet and as an adjunct professor at Austin Peay State University.
Dr. Wilson holds a doctoral degree from Lipscomb University, an educational specialist degree from MTSU, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Tennessee State University.
Shelly Robinson, Tom Joy Elementary
Dr. Shelly Robinson has 16 years of administrative experience and has served as the executive principal of Two Rivers Middle School, as well as a teacher and assistant principal in Montgomery County.
She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University, Her ED.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Austin Peay State University, her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a B.S. degree in English from Austin Peay State University.
Kamilah Mathews, A.Z. Kelley
Kamilah Mathews is an instructional leader with 17 years of teaching, coaching, and leadership experience. She most recently served as the assistant principal at Inglewood Elementary School.
Mrs. Mathews holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and an educational specialist degree in accountability and instructional leadership.
Dr. Doniethia Williams, JFK Middle School
Dr. Doniethia Williams, herself a graduate of Antioch High School, has more than 15 years’ experience in Metro Schools and comes to JFK from Wright Middle, where she has been the assistant principal for the past five years. She has also worked as dean of instruction at Wright, and as a numeracy coach and algebra teacher at Antioch High and algebra teacher at Glencliff High.
Dr. Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in middle grades mathematics education from UT Chattanooga and her master's and educational specialist degrees in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University. She also earned her doctorate in educational leadership from TSU.
Bruce Jackson, McGavock High School
Mr. Bruce Jackson has spent the past five years as executive principal of East Magnet Middle School and has prior experience as a teacher and assistant principal at Stratford High School and MNPS Middle Alternative Learning Center. He is returning to McGavock, where he served seven years as our Freshman Academy principal.
Mr. Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Trevecca University. He previously taught government, economics, geography, and social studies and was named Stratford High’s Teacher of the Year in 2008-09.
Dr. Nae’Shara Neal, Meigs Middle
Dr. Neal served as a biology teacher and instructional coach before becoming an administrator. She most recently served as the curriculum and instruction principal and Cambridge coordinator at McGavock High School.
Dr. Neal has more than 15 years of teaching experience and was selected to be the master teacher of the MNPS Demonstration School in which she opened her classroom to principals and teachers across the district to model best practices.
Dr. Brenda Diaz, MNPS Virtual School
Dr. Diaz also serves as the executive principal of Nashville Big Picture High School, a position she will continue jointly with her new role at MNPS Virtual School. With an almost 30-year career in education, she believes strongly in small, personalized learning environments.
She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Rust College; master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi; educational leadership endorsement from the University of Memphis; and her Doctor of Education Degree from Union University.
Dr. Diaz has been honored as the 2022 Big Picture Learning Ted Sizer School Leader of the Year; 2022-23 Metro Nashville Public Schools High School Principal of the Year; Metro Nashville Public Schools 2018 Out of the Box Leader/Employee Recognition recipient and a Metro Nashville Public Schools 2019 Women Who Overcome Challenges to Impact Others in Educational Leadership recipient.
Nia Perry, Mt. View Elementary School
Mrs. Nia Perry has spent the past six years at Cane Ridge Elementary School as an assistant principal and has more than 17 years of elementary education experience. In addition to her time at Cane Ridge Elementary, Mrs. Perry is a proud MNPS graduate who has also served as a teacher, instructional coach, and Dean of Instruction.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Alabama State University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, a master’s degree in public administration from Tennessee State University, and an educational specialist degree in administration and supervision from Middle Tennessee State University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate from Lipscomb University.
Dr. Kelby Garner, Overton High School
Upon graduating from John Overton High School, Dr. Garner enrolled at Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Dr. Garner served as an adult case manager at Mental Health Cooperative for several years. Her caseload consisted of adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
After serving this fragile population, Dr. Garner enrolled in graduate school at Tennessee State University to become a professional school counselor. She felt that she could serve in a preventative manner, helping students learn coping strategies to help with the ambiguity of life. Dr. Garner served many schools as a college and career counselor through the Martha O’Bryan Center at Stratford High’s “Top Floor” and Maplewood High’s “College Zone.” Dr. Garner also served as a literacy tutor at Isaac Litton Middle School and as a professional school counselor in Cheatham County before joining MNPS Virtual School.
Dr. Garner earned both an educational specialist and a Doctor of Education degree from Carson-Newman University. She has served many roles as a professional school counselor, dean of student affairs, dean of instruction, assistant principal, and finally, executive principal at MNPS Virtual School. Dr. Garner is also an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University and Trevecca Nazarene University.
Raquel González, Pennington Elementary School
Raquel González brings 28 years of experience to Pennington, having served as a teacher, science coordinator, assistant principal, and principal in Chicago.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University.
Dr. Michael Pratt, Stratford STEM High School (interim to full-time placement)
Dr. Michael Pratt has served the MNPS community for nearly 16 years, including as an administrator at East Nashville Magnet High School and John Early Middle Magnet. Dr. Pratt was most recently the interim principal at Stratford STEM High School.
He holds a master’s degree in cultural foundations of education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and recently completed a doctorate in educational leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Matthew Earls, Tusculum Elementary School
Matthew Earls is a graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools and comes to Tusculum Elementary from Overton High School, where he served as an Academy principal and principal of Curriculum and Instruction for seven years. Prior to that, he taught English at Apollo Middle School for seven years and then served as the Dean of Students for one year.
Mr. Earls holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s degree from Bethel University.
Dr. Rhonda Bledsoe, Two Rivers Middle (interim)
Dr. Rhonda Bledsoe has 16 years of experience in education and has served in MNPS for the last 14 years as a teacher, department chair, and administrator. She currently serves as assistant principal at Margaret Allen Middle and is excited to be joining the Two Rivers family. She brings experience in strengthening school climate and culture and served on the Leader in Me Implementation team.
Dr. Bledsoe holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University. She also earned an educational specialist degree in accountability and instructional leadership and her doctorate degree in leadership and professional practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. She participated in Metro Schools’ Aspiring Principals program in 2022-2023.
Janelle Brooks, Warner Elementary
Ms. Brooks brings more than 13 years of education experience to her new role at Warner Elementary, most recently serving as the assistant principal at Madison Middle School. In her tenure, she has also served as a teacher, numeracy coach, and instructional coach.
Earning her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her master’s as an Ayers Fellow from Lipscomb University, Ms. Brooks plans to graduate from Lipscomb with her doctoral degree this fall.
Marina (Molly) Rucker, Whitsitt Elementary (interim to full-time placement)
Prior to serving as Whitsitt’s assistant principal and interim principal, Ms. Rucker was a teacher and literacy coach at Cockrill Elementary School. She also taught in Knox County Schools. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Tennessee, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Lipscomb University.
Support Hub Leadership Placements
Sean Braisted, Chief of Communications and Technology
Sean Braisted will serve as Chief of Communications and Technology starting July 1, overseeing the communications and technology services departments within the Support Hub. Braisted has been with MNPS since November 2019 in the role of Executive Officer of Communications and Community Engagement. He serves as spokesperson for the district and managed communications throughout the pandemic, and in that role became a key partner in transitioning MNPS to a 1:1 technology district.
While Braisted will continue serving as spokesperson for MNPS, this expanded role is designed to build an even stronger relationship between district leadership and the technology services department. With this new structure, MNPS will build on the successes the technology team has made and continue to improve upon the services, tools, and infrastructure that will support MNPS teachers and staff in delivering an engaging, rigorous, and personalized learning experience for all students.
Prior to joining MNPS, Braisted had four years of Metro Government experience, serving as communications director for Mayor Megan Barry followed by a role as public information officer for the Metro Codes Department and media advisor to the Planning Department. The son of a public school teacher and product of public schools in Gahanna, Ohio, Braisted has lived in Nashville since 2001 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Urban Studies from Tennessee State University in 2013.
Daniel Phillips, Director of Academies of Nashville & Career Technical Education
Daniel Phillips has been named the new Director of Academies of Nashville and Career and Technical Education, joining the renowned Metro Schools team after leading in a similar role at Grand Island Public Schools in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Phillips most recently served as the Director of Innovation for Career and College Readiness in Grand Island, where he oversaw all career and technical education programs in grades 6-12, as well as dual education partnerships and curriculum implementation for CTE programs. Prior to that role, Phillips served as an academy principal and director of the career pathways institute in Grand Island. Phillips' career in education started as a drafting and architecture teaching in Wichita, Kansas.
“The Academies of Nashville has been a national leader in academy design and served as our North Star for our own transformation in Grand Island Public Schools,” Phillips said. "I'm excited to join the team and help continue that tradition of excellence, while providing an unparalleled experience for the students of Nashville.”
Penny Howard, Director of Elementary & Middle School Athletics
Penny Howard, a lifelong advocate for children in athletics, has been named the new Director of Elementary and Middle School Athletics. Howard has extensive coaching experience and an impressive athletic resume of her own: she is a three-time track and field All-American graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating, Howard competed in three track and field Olympic Trials. While a resident at the USA Olympic Training Center, she advocated for youth in sports as a member of the U.S. Olympic Speakers Bureau. She's also been an ambassador for girls in sports through the Women's Sports Foundation.
Howard is a native of Richmond, Va., but has been in Nashville since 2008. Most recently, she was a Program Director with Communities in Schools of Tennessee. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in civic leadership from Lipscomb University.