Metro Nashville Public Schools is excited to announce our new executive principals and district leaders for the upcoming school year. These dedicated leaders and exceptional educators bring extensive experience, vision and commitment to student success across our school community.
New Principal Placements for the 2025-26 School Year
Dr. Angela Burns, Alex Green Elementary (Interim to Executive Principal)
Dr. Angela Burns brings more than a decade of experience in elementary education to her new role as executive principal of Alex Green Elementary. Most recently, she served as Alex Green’s interim executive principal, providing strategic leadership during a key transitional period. Prior to that, Dr. Burns was the assistant principal at Amqui Global Communications Magnet School in Madison. Dr. Burns has also served as a classroom teacher, school-based literacy coach, district literacy coach, and dean of instruction within the district.
Dr. Burns holds a doctorate and educational specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State University, master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University, Nashville.
Dr. Kate Finn, Andrew Jackson Elementary (Interim to Executive Principal)
Originally from New York, Dr. Kate Finn has lived and worked at a variety of schools across the country and has 23 years of experience in education. Dr. Finn began her career with MNPS as a science and social studies teacher and went on to serve as a district lead science and STEAM coach with MNPS and later as STEM director in another district. She returned to MNPS in 2021 as assistant principal at Head Magnet Middle School and most recently serves as interim executive principal at Andrew Jackson Elementary.
Dr. Finn holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of San Francisco, master's degree in Instructional Practice, and a Doctorate in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University. She is married and has three children - two currently enrolled in MNPS schools and one a recent MNPS graduate who just completed her sophomore year of college.
Dr. Whitney Russell, Inglewood Environmental Science Magnet Elementary
Dr. Whitney Russell, a Knoxville native, is a dedicated educational leader with more than 15 years of experience in Metro Nashville Public Schools. A graduate of Tennessee State University with advanced degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University, she most recently was principal at Napier Elementary, where her leadership has driven significant academic growth, including TVAAS Level 5 and Level 4 school-wide scores and gains in literacy across multiple grade levels.
Dr. Russell is known for her data-informed instructional leadership, commitment to equity, and strong partnerships with families and communities. Her career spans roles as assistant principal, dean of students, and teacher leader, consistently achieving results in academic performance, school culture, and staff development.
Angela Davis, Lakeview Elementary (Interim to Executive Principal)
Angela Davis has dedicated her professional career to serving elementary-aged children. Originally from Ohio, she has made the southern states—particularly Alabama and Tennessee—her home for most of her adult life. Her journey in education began in the private school sector, where she taught for seven years before transitioning to public education. For the past 22 years, Ms. Davis has served within Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) as both a classroom teacher and assistant principal.
Ms. Davis earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oakwood University and holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University.
Jawan Davis, Moses McKissack Middle (Interim to Executive Principal)
Jawan Davis is a Nashville native and MNPS graduate and currently serves as Moses McKissack Middle School’s interim principal. He has more than 16 years of experience as a teacher, dean of instruction, and assistant principal. He has spent much of his professional career in school turnaround work in Memphis and has found that true education begins and ends with a school community’s ability to work together to provide wraparound support for all scholars.
Mr. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Memphis, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Bethel University, and is soon to finish his doctorate in leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dr. LaDonna Williams, Westmeade Elementary (Interim to Executive Principal)
Dr. LaDonna Williams is a graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools with 12 years' experience in education. Dr. Williams served as interim principal at Westmeade during the 2024-2025 school year and, prior to that appointment, was the school’s assistant principal. She formerly served as a dean of instruction at Lakeview Elementary and taught third and fourth grades at Thomas Edison Elementary.
Dr. Williams graduated with a bachelor’s degree from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a master’s degree in teaching K-6, and an educational specialist degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. She also received her doctorate in education from Trevecca.
Keenan Robinson, Napier Elementary (Interim)
Mr. Keenan J. Robinson has been teaching for 15 years in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Mr. Robinson has been an administrator in MNPS for 7 years, most recently at Hermitage Elementary, and has served in multiple roles including assistant principal, dean of students, instructional specialist, exceptional education teacher, English language teacher and a life skills paraprofessional. Mr. Robinson has experience in multiple tiers of education including elementary, middle, high school and alternative learning centers.
He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2005, his master’s in education in 2011 both from Tennessee State University and educational specialist degree in 2017 from Tennessee Tech. Mr. Robinson has a strong base of faith, is a proud father, educational leader, author, entrepreneur and lifelong learner.
Melissa Brooks, Whites Creek High (Interim)
Melissa Brooks has served in MNPS for more than 15 years, most recently as assistant principal at Whites Creek High School, where she has played a key role in achieving and sustaining a TVAAS Level 5 designation for three consecutive years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, as well as an education specialist degree from Lipscomb University.
Before stepping into administration, Ms. Brooks was a highly accomplished social sciences teacher. She earned a TVAAS Level 5 for her classroom instruction, taught International Baccalaureate (IB) History of the Americas, and was honored as the 2014 MNPS Teacher of the Year.
Support Hub Leadership Appointments
Dr. Sharonda Beard, Executive Director
Dr. Sharonda Beard is a dedicated educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Her career spans roles from classroom teacher to director of instructional leadership, where she has led strategic initiatives to improve student outcomes through data-driven instruction, personalized learning, and high academic expectations.
Dr. Beard holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, a master’s degree in curriculum & instruction and an educational specialist degree in administration & supervision, both from Union University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. She is also a Harvard Leadership Fellow and a Relay/Graduate School of Education National Principal Supervisor Academy (NPSA) Fellow, gaining recognition for her work in adaptive leadership and systemic school improvement.
Dr. David Martin, Executive Director
Dr. David Martin is an experienced educational leader with more than 15 years in district and state-level administration, currently serving as the superintendent of the Louisiana Special School District. A native Tennessean, Dr. Martin also served as the superintendent of the Tennessee School for the Blind, where he supported innovative programming and contributed to the expansion of work-based learning opportunities for students. His career also includes administrative experience with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), serving as a principal, assistant principal, and district curriculum coordinator. He began his career in education as a high school social studies teacher.
Dr. Martin holds a doctorate in education in educational leadership from Liberty University, an education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, a master's degree in educational leadership from National-Louis University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee State University.
Dr. Brian Mells, Executive Director
Dr. Brian J. Mells has dedicated 19 years to education, all within MNPS, beginning his career as a mathematics teacher at Hillwood High School. He later served as Assistant Principal at Pearl-Cohn High School and Executive Principal at Madison Middle School. Now, as Executive Principal of Whites Creek High School, Dr. Mells leads transformative initiatives that have propelled the school out of priority status and earned it Level 5 TVAAS recognition for three consecutive years.
His unwavering commitment to student achievement and educational excellence has earned him distinguished honors, including MNPS’ High School Principal of the Year and the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s Inspiring Leader award.
Dr. Shelley Mendez, Executive Director
With more than 20 years of experience in TK–12 education, Dr. Shelley Mendez is a seasoned educational leader with a proven track record of driving student achievement and organizational growth. Dr. Mendez served as a school principal for more than 10 years and spent five years as a district director, leading large-scale instructional and leadership initiatives. She has coached and mentored countless school leaders and all levels. Most recently, she transitioned into higher education, where she spent two years designing and implementing principal pipeline programs to develop future school leaders at the university level.
Dr. Mendez holds a master’s degree in cross-cultural education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. She is a certified trainer in the National Center on Education and the Economy’s (NCEE) National Institute for School Leadership Executive Development Program (NISL EDP), Teacher Clarity, AVID, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Priscilla Cole, Executive Director of Professional Learning and Growth
Priscilla Cole has been named the new executive director of Professional Learning and Growth. She most recently served as the support executive director for high schools, where she partnered with principals to strengthen leadership practices, an essential driver of improved instruction and student outcomes.
With 24 years of experience in education, Ms. Cole has served as a high school principal, assistant principal, behavior specialist, and middle school math teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Fisk University, a master’s degree in mathematics education from Western Governors University, and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from Georgia College & State University.