Meet MNPS’s New Principals for the 2024-2025 School Year
Our school district is thrilled to announce the appointment of outstanding and passionate educators as executive principals for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Each leader brings a wealth of experience, vision, and commitment to public education. Their unique backgrounds and achievements reflect the diverse and dynamic community of Nashville.
Angela Burns, Interim, Alex Green Elementary
Dr. Angela Burns brings more than 10 years of elementary education experience to her new role as interim executive principal of Alex Green Elementary. She recently served as assistant principal of Amqui Global Communications Magnet School in Madison, Tennessee. Dr. Burns has worked in Metro Nashville Public Schools as a classroom teacher, school-based literacy coach, district literacy coach, and dean of instruction. She holds a doctorate and educational specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State University, a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University.
Kate Finn, Interim, Andrew Jackson Elementary
Dr. Finn has lived and worked at a variety of schools across the country and has 22 years of experience in education, which she will bring to her new role as interim executive principal of Andrew Jackson. She landed in Nashville in 2007, where she worked in private school admissions before joining MNPS. Dr. Finn continued her career with MNPS as a District Lead Science and STEAM Coach, then moved to Maury County Public Schools as a STEM Director. She returned to MNPS in 2021 as Assistant Principal at Head Magnet Middle School. Dr. Finn attended the University of San Francisco and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She holds both a master's degree in instructional practice and a doctorate in learning organizations and strategic change from Lipscomb University.
Robyn Beard-Tillman, Brick Church Middle
Dr. Robyn Beard-Tillman, a dedicated educator, has been named the new principal of Brick Church Middle School. Her unwavering commitment to education and her visionary leadership will be instrumental as we welcome Brick Church back to the MNPS family, ensuring a seamless transition and a promising future for our students and staff. Beard-Tillman has a storied history in MNPS and most recently served as the principal of Alex Green Elementary School.
Andrew Holt, DuPont Elementary
Andrew Holt, a seasoned educator and Nashville native, brings 11 years of experience in MNPS to his new role as the principal of DuPont Elementary. With a master’s degree in instructional practice, an Ed.S. degree in educational leadership, and a doctoral degree in the works at Lipscomb University, Holt's qualifications are a testament to his commitment to educational excellence.
Gwen Jaskoski, DuPont Hadley Middle
Starting July 1, Gwen Jaskoski will serve as the interim principal of DuPont Hadley Middle as the current principal, Dr. Kevin Armstrong, completes a one-year residency program. Jaskoski has a bachelor's degree from Tennessee Technological University and a master's in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. She has worked in Metro Schools since 1999 as a middle school teacher, family involvement specialist, and instructional coach. She has been at DuPont Hadley since 2013.
Mattie Crumbo, Eakin Elementary
Dr. Mattie Crumbo will serve as the executive principal of Eakin Elementary School. A Nashville native, Crumbo brings over 12 years of dedicated service in education to the school community. Her career began in the classroom before she took on the role of a literacy coach. Building on her passion for educational excellence, Crumbo transitioned into administration, serving as an assistant principal and, most recently, as executive principal of Westmeade Elementary.
Mathew Portell, Goodlettsville Elementary
Mathew Portell’s career with MNPS spans over a decade and a half. During this time, he has served as a 4th-grade teacher, district instructional coach for teachers of English learners, literacy coach, teacher mentor, and school administrator. After spending two years working for a national nonprofit organization, Portell returned to MNPS in January 2024 as a principal success coach, supporting a cohort of school principals. Portell is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He obtained his administrative licensure from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Jenna Query, Gower Elementary
Dr. Jenna Query is the new principal of Gower Elementary, where she was most recently the assistant principal. Query enters this role with over 12 years of educational experience, including roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and instructional specialist. She earned both her educational specialist degree and doctorate in educational leadership from Austin Peay State University.
Cara Meissner, Harris-Hillman School
Cara Meissner, former assistant principal at Harris-Hillman School, has been named the next executive principal. Meissner is entering her 20th year in education. She began her teaching career in New York City while pursuing her master’s in special education. Since 2008, she has been an integral part of Harris-Hillman, ensuring that students with diverse learning needs have equitable access to education – first as a teacher and later as the dean of instruction and assistant principal.
Danielle Holdren, Hillsboro High
Dr. Danielle Holdren is entering her 19th year in education and has spent the last 10 years working with the Hillwood and James Lawson High School communities as an academy principal. She will begin the 2024-25 school year as the executive principal of Hillsboro High School. While at Hillwood and James Lawson, she served as the Freshman Academy principal and as principal of the Health Science and Business Hospitality academies. Prior to her tenure as an academy principal, she was a teacher and a lead teacher. Holdren earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in educational leadership and a doctoral degree from Lipscomb University.
Colin Hunt, Lockeland Elementary
Lockeland Elementary welcomes Dr. Colin Hunt as the new executive principal. Hunt has spent 10 years serving in MNPS schools across the district as a teacher, literacy coach, and dean of instruction. He most recently served as an assistant principal at J.T. Moore Middle School. In addition to his work in schools, Hunt advocated for students throughout the district and state as a TNScore Educator Fellow, a member of the Mayor’s Teacher Cabinet, and an educator representative with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Public Education development program. Hunt earned his doctorate and master’s degrees from Lipscomb University and his bachelor’s degree from New York University.
Laura Duran, McGavock Elementary
Laura Duran will join Metro Schools as the new executive principal of McGavock Elementary School. She comes to MNPS with 16 years of administrative experience as a district director of data and assessment, principal, and vice principal for preschool through 8th grades in Southern California. Prior to her administrative career, she was an elementary school teacher. She holds a master’s degree in education from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Northridge.
Jawan Davis, Interim, Moses McKissack Middle School
McKissack Middle welcomes Jawan Davis, a Nashville native and MNPS graduate, as its interim principal. He has more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, dean of instruction, and assistant principal. Most recently, Davis served as assistant principal of Haynes Middle. He has spent the majority of his professional career in school turnaround work 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. 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.
Brenleigh Oswanski, Shayne Elementary
Brenleigh Oswanski is the new executive principal of Shayne Elementary School. She was most recently the assistant principal at McGavock Elementary, fostering a culture of equitable access, high expectations, and engagement. Oswanski has served in Metro Schools since 2015 as a teacher, instructional coach, dean of instruction, and assistant principal. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from McGill University, a master’s in elementary education with an English Language Learners endorsement from Vanderbilt University, and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from Lipscomb University.
Brit Sikes, Una Elementary
Dr. Brit Sikes brings more than 25 years of experience to her new position at Una Elementary, holding a strong background in teaching, coaching, and literacy foundations. She previously served as an assistant principal at Paragon Mills Elementary. She has also served as an adjunct professor in the Elementary and Special Education Department at Middle Tennessee State University. A native of Norway, Dr. Sikes has lived in the U.S. for most of her adult life, with Nashville being her home for the past 20 years. She attended Simmons University in Boston, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and English. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and earned her doctorate in leadership and professional practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. Dr. Sikes has been a classroom teacher (National Board Certified), literacy coach, dean of instruction, and assistant principal.
LaDonna Williams, Interim, Westmeade Elementary
Metro Schools is excited to announce we have appointed assistant principal Dr. LaDonna Williams as the interim principal of Westmeade, replacing Dr. Crumbo, who has accepted the principal position at Eakin Elementary, effective July 1. Dr. Williams is an experienced educator and is well-known to staff and students. We know she will provide a smooth transition at Westmeade.
Metro Schools is incredibly excited to welcome both new and familiar faces. Please join us in welcoming our new principals!