DeeAnne E. Miree
Cambridge Early Learning Center
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Antioch, Tennessee
[email protected]
DeeAnne Miree’s mission as principal of Cambridge Early Learning Center is to nurture young learners to be “self-sufficient, curious, and confident individuals who can collaborate effectively with others.” In her eight-year tenure, Miree has fulfilled this vision for the school’s 140 pre-K students and proven herself an effective instructional leader and community builder. Miree understands that young learners build foundational social, emotional, and academic skills through exploration and play, and she works tirelessly alongside teachers to design meaningful and quality play experiences that facilitate growth during this critical stage. Cambridge classrooms are structured around learning centers that emphasize different developmental targets through drama, writing, blocks, and more, and teachers provide additional data-informed enrichment and intervention to address the unique needs of all learners. The success of this model is bolstered by Miree’s modeling of professional growth and her earnest embrace of cultural diversity. In any given year, the Cambridge community includes families speaking seven to fifteen languages. Cambridge families are an integral part of their child’s educational career, and Miree works proactively to ensure all families, regardless of circumstance, have the tools to support their children to build foundational academic and social skills. Outside of work, Miree is active in her faith community and with groups supporting the local homeless community. She holds B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Tennessee State University and is currently finishing her doctoral degree.