METRO SCHOOLS’ NEWEST SCHOOL & DISTRICT LEADERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DR DONALD BLACK PRINCIPAL OF BELLSHIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr Black is joining Metro Nashville Public Schools from Jackson Public Schools, where he served as a principal for almost two years Prior to that, he served in varying capacities within education during his 20-year tenure, including as an assistant principal, a coordinator and a music teacher Dr Black earned his bachelor’s degree from Stillman College, his master’s degree from Southern Illinois University and his doctorate’s degree from Alabama State University MYRA TAYLOR PRINCIPAL OF BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ms Taylor received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and another master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Tennessee State University In her time at Metro Nashville Public Schools, Ms Taylor taught in both middle and high schools Most recently, she served as the 9th grade academy principal at Hillsboro High School, as the assistant principal at Whites Creek High School, East Nashville Magnet High School, Madison Middle School and was the interim principal at Buena Vista DR SHERLETA SANDERS PRINCIPAL OF CARTER LAWRENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr Sanders has served the students of Metro Nashville Public Schools since 2011 and most recently served as the assistant principal at Dan Mills Elementary Dr Sanders has a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University, a master’s degree from Cumberland University and a doctorate’s degree from Lipscomb University JULIA ELLMORE PRINCIPAL OF CHARLOTTE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Julia Ellmore has served Metro Nashville Public Schools as an assistant principal since 2015 Prior to that, she was a kindergarten teacher for seven years Ms Ellmore earned a bachelor’s degree from Harding University and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Bethel University DR CARLOS COMER INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF COCKRILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr Comer has served Metro Schools since 1997 in a variety of roles, including as a teacher, assistant principal and principal Most recently, he was the assistant principal at Tom Joy Elementary School Dr Comer earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene Unviersity SHAWN LAWRENCE PRINCIPAL OF EAGLE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mr Lawrence served as the principal at Apollo Middle School for three years Prior to that, he served an assistant principal and a literacy teacher within Metro Nashville Public Schools His administrative experience, coupled with his teaching experience, has prepared Mr Lawrence to open and lead the district’s newest school ERIC HARTFELDER PRINCIPAL OF EAKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mr Hartfelder has served the district since 2009 as a kindergarten teacher, an assistant principal and most recently the assistant principal at Inglewood Elementary He has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lipscomb University, where he earned recognition for the Outstanding Action Research Project, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Wittenberg University LESLIE P GORDON PRINCIPAL OF GLENGARRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leslie Gordon has more than 20 years of experience in elementary education as both a teacher and an administrator throughout Illinois Gordon has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Northeastern Illinois University MEGAN GALLOWAY PRINCIPAL OF HAYWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mrs Galloway is a respected leader at Haywood, having served as an assistant principal for more than three years and as the acting principal since October 2017 Mrs Galloway earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in psychology from the University of the South in 2004 She added a Master of Education in special education from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College in 2006 In 2012, Mrs Galloway completed her administrative licensing at Lipscomb University She also holds certification to provide services for English language learners DEXTER ADAMS PRINCIPAL OF IDA B WELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dexter Adams began his career with Metro Nashville Public Schools in 1994 at Kirkpatrick Enhanced Option School and Haywood Elementary He served as assistant principal at Park Avenue Enhanced Option School and principal at Alex Green Elementary School and Glenn Enhanced Option Elementary School Mr Adams has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University and an education specialist degree in instructional leadership from Tennessee Technological University He is currently pursuing a doctorate in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University DR SHANTRELL PIRTLE PRINCIPAL OF LAKEVIEW DESIGN CENTER Dr Pirtle has served Metro Nashville Public Schools as a principal and assistant principal since first joining the district in 2013 She has a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Union University, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Freed-Hardeman University and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Memphis DR BERNICE RUSSELL PRINCIPAL OF MAXWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr Bernice Russell served in the private school sector as a headmaster before joining Metro Nashville Public Schools in 2005 She has served as a teacher, exemplary teacher mentor, secondary literacy coach and assistant principal Russell received a doctorate in leadership and professional practice and a master’s degree in teaching and administrative certification from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Arts in broadcasting from Western Kentucky University DR KIRK GILMORE INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF MCGAVOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dr Gilmore has served Metro Nashville Public Schools as a teacher and assistant principal since joining the district in 2009 He has a doctorate degree in leadership and professional practice, a master’s degree in teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University, an administration certification from Lipscomb University and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Maryville College SHAWNNA PIERCE PRINCIPAL OF PARAGON MILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shawnna Pierce has served students all over the country in a variety of capacities over the last 14 years She moved to Tennessee in 2015 and began serving Metro Nashville Public Schools as an English Language development coach and most recently, as an assistant principal She received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, a master’s degree from Texas A&MCentral Texas and will graduate with a doctorate from Lipscomb University in December MIDDLE SCHOOLS STEPHANIE ADAMS PRINCIPAL OF APOLLO MIDDLE SCHOOL Adams has served the students of Metro Nashville Public Schools for more than 20 years She began her career as a mathematics teacher and has since served as an assistant principal in two high schools, one middle school and one elementary school Most recently, Stephanie Adams served in the Office of Federal Programs and Grants as a school improvement program facilitator, focused on helping schools develop school improvement plans She holds three degrees from Tennessee State University: an educational specialist degree, a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree BRUCE JACKSON PRINCIPAL OF EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Bruce Jackson has served the students of Metro Nashville Public Schools for 17 years in a variety of roles, including teacher and assistant principal He began his career as a social studies teacher before transitioning into an administrative role Mr Jackson has a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University and a master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University DR ROBIN ALLEN PRINCIPAL OF HAYNES MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr Allen has served the students of Metro Nashville Public Schools since 1991 in a variety of roles, including teacher and assistant principal Dr Allen has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee, and a teacher certification, master’s degree and doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University DR TRACI SLOSS INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF JERE BAXTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr Traci L Sloss is not only a 22-year educator in Metro Nashville Public Schools, she’s also an MNPS graduate She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tennessee State University, an education specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a doctorate in education from Lipscomb University Most recently, Dr Sloss served as an academy principal at Pearl-Cohn High School, where she led her academy to model status in the accreditation process DR ERIN ANDERSON PRINCIPAL OF OLIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Dr Anderson has served Metro Nashville Public Schools since 2005 in a variety of roles, including a school counselor, assistant principal, an academy principal and an executive principal Most recently, she served as an executive director of school support and improvement in the northeast quadrant Dr Anderson received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Tennessee State University and a second master’s degree and doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University ROMMIE VASSER PRINCIPAL OF ROSE PARK MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Mr Rommie L Vasser, Jr is a 19-year educator and has served students across the state He has served as a teacher leader, instructional coach, dean of students, assistant principal and principal since rejoining Metro Nashville Public Schools in 2014 Most recently, he served as the interim principal at Rose Park, where he led the school to STEAM certification by AdvancED - the first such designation for any middle school in MNPS and the third middle school in the state HIGH SCHOOLS JULIE TRAVIS INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF THE ACADEMY AT OLD COCKRILL Julie Travis is an Ohio native She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio Northern University and her master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University Travis has more than 14 years of experience in education Her tenure at Metro Nashville Public Schools began in 2004, when she began teaching at Jere Baxter Middle School, she later moved to Maplewood High School, where she spent two years as a literacy coach and the assistant principal of the freshman Academy During her tenure as the assistant principal of the freshman academy, Maplewood was nominated for the Nashville Freshman Academy of the Year twice, winning once Travis was nominated for Academy Assistant Principal of the Year in 2018 CLARISSA ZELLARS PRINCIPAL OF ANTIOCH HIGH SCHOOL Ms Zellars’ career with Metro Nashville Public Schools started 18 years ago She was most recently the school improvement strategy director for Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she supported school improvement planning She served as a mathematics teacher, a mathematics mentor specialist and an assistant principal before transitioning to her role in the school improvement area DR JAMIE JENKINS INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF EAST NASHVILLE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Jamie Jenkins is a proud graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools, attending Warner Elementary, Lockland Middle, East Middle and graduating from Stratford High School Dr Jenkins began his career as a teacher at Antioch High School before beginning his administrative career at McGavock High School in 2002 Since then, he has served as an administrator at Whites Creek High, Hillsboro High, Martin Luther King, Jr Magnet and East Nashville Magnet High School Dr Jenkins is a first generation college student He earned his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in education from Middle Tennessee State University and his doctorate of education from Tennessee State University DR STEPHEN SHEAFFER PRINCIPAL OF HILLWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Dr Sheaffer was most recently the executive principal at Oliver Middle School In total, he has dedicated 20 years to Metro Nashville Public Schools as a teacher, academy coach and academy principal Dr Sheaffer earned his bachelor of science from Trevecca Nazarene University, an additional education certification in mathematics from Austin Peay State University and his doctorate from Lipscomb EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SUPPORT AND IMPROVEMENT CARL CARTER – SOUTHEAST QUADRANT STEVE BALL – NORTH EAST QUADRANT LISA COONS – INNOVATION SCHOOLS