Metro Nashville Public Schools Announces 13 Principal Appointments

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   Metro Nashville Public Schools announced principal placements for the 2026-27 school year.

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   Anthony Mendez was named principal of Apollo Middle School.

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   Anthony Mendez most recently served as academy principal of the Academy of Engineering and Automotive Technology at Antioch High School.

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   Anthony Mendez has more than 25 years of experience in public education, including 17 years as a high school science teacher and coach, four years as a high school administrator, and four years as a middle school assistant principal in Southern California.

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   Lish Burgess was named principal of DuPont Hadley Middle School.

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   Lish Burgess previously served as assistant principal and Collaborative Planning Lead for the Science department at Oliver Middle School.

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   Lish Burgess holds a SPED K-12 license and has experience teaching and co-teaching ELA and math at Cane Ridge High School.

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   Lish Burgess earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and a specialist in education degree from Bethel University.

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   Lish Burgess is a graduate of the MNPS Aspiring Principal Program.

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    Erin Uppinghouse was named principal of Glencliff Elementary School.

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    Erin Uppinghouse has more than 20 years of educational experience in Illinois and Tennessee, having served as assistant principal, literacy coach, numeracy coach, general education teacher, and reading interventionist.

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    Erin Uppinghouse holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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    James A. Stephens III (Trey) was named principal of Glencliff High School.

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    James A. Stephens III (Trey) has more than 20 years of experience in public education.

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    James A. Stephens III (Trey) began his career as a middle school mathematics and science teacher in Georgia before moving into school leadership.

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    James A. Stephens III (Trey) most recently served as executive principal at West End Middle School for six years.

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    James A. Stephens III (Trey) holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lipscomb University and a Master of Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University.

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    Alexandra Valdés-Wochinger was named principal of Glendale Elementary School.

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    Alexandra Valdés-Wochinger most recently served as assistant principal at Wright Middle School.

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    Alexandra Valdés-Wochinger previously served as Dean of Instruction and in multiple teacher leadership roles within Metro Nashville Public Schools, including as an instructional coach and department chair focused on teacher development and professional learning.

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    Alexandra Valdés-Wochinger holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University, a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from Stony Brook University, and a B.S. in Coastal Marine Biology from the University of Puerto Rico.

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    Justin Lattimore was named principal of Glengarry Elementary School.

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    Justin Lattimore has 14 years of experience in public education, including seven years in school administration.

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    Justin Lattimore has served as a classroom teacher and assistant principal with Metro Nashville Public Schools and in districts in Jackson, Murfreesboro, and Franklin, Tennessee.

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    Justin Lattimore holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Tennessee Technological University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Carson-Newman University, and an ESL endorsement from Lipscomb University.

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    Roxanna McCommon was named principal of Glenview Elementary School.

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    Roxanna McCommon has more than a decade of experience as a teacher, instructional advisor, and curriculum specialist, including leading districtwide initiatives in world languages and magnet programming.

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    Roxanna McCommon holds an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Union University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Memphis, and a bachelor’s degree in German and political science from Belmont University.

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    Roxanna McCommon is an MNPS alumna and parent.

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    Jerimy Smith was named interim principal of Harpeth Valley Elementary School.

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    Jerimy Smith most recently served as assistant principal at Harpeth Valley Elementary School.

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    Jerimy Smith previously served as MSAP Curriculum Specialist for STEAM at Whitsitt Elementary.

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    Jerimy Smith holds a B.S. in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State University, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University, and an Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University.

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    Erin D. Cáceres was named principal of Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School.

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    Erin D. Cáceres most recently served as assistant principal at Centennial High School in Williamson County.

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    Erin D. Cáceres has 22 years of experience in secondary education, including roles as a Spanish teacher and outreach and engagement coordinator.

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    Erin D. Cáceres holds doctorate and educational specialist degrees from Lipscomb University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

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    Tyisha Walker was named principal of Murrell School.

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    Tyisha Walker most recently served as assistant principal at Murrell School.

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    Tyisha Walker has spent nine years at Murrell School in roles including classroom teacher, transition coordinator, and assistant principal.

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    Tyisha Walker has more than 20 years of educational experience, all with Metro Nashville Public Schools, spanning pre-K, kindergarten, and exceptional education.

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    Tyisha Walker holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Tennessee State University, an M.Ed. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University, and an Ed.D. in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University.

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    Tia James was named principal of Park Avenue Elementary School.

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    Tia James most recently served as principal of Schools of Perea, which earned Level 5 Reward School status for two consecutive years.

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    Tia James has served as a speech teacher, classroom teacher, PLC coach, and assistant principal at multiple schools.

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    Tia James holds a B.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Tennessee State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Memphis, and an Ed.S. in Administration from Union University.

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    Michael Bell was named principal of Smith Springs Elementary School.

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    Michael Bell most recently served as assistant principal and dean of students at Smith Springs Elementary School.

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    Michael Bell began his career at Smith Springs Elementary School as a classroom teacher.

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    Michael Bell holds degrees in educational leadership, instructional practices, and communication studies from Carson-Newman University, Lipscomb University, and the University of Tennessee.

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    Marysa Utley was named interim principal of West End Middle School.

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    Marysa Utley has more than 15 years of experience in public education.

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    Marysa Utley has served as principal, Chief of Schools, and Chief of Staff at IOTA Community Schools.

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    Marysa Utley most recently served as an instructional facilitator with Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

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    Marysa Utley holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in education from Christian Brothers University.

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    Lester Duverce was named principal of Wright Middle School.

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    Lester Duverce has leadership experience from multiple states, having served as a middle school dean of students, assistant principal, and principal in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

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    Lester Duverce holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Christian Brothers University.