To say that Missouri State University alumna Dr. Adrienne Battle is an accomplished educator is an understatement. 

She has won many awards, and her leadership of Nashville Public Schools as superintendent has led the district to gain national recognition.  

She notes her journey to success began at Missouri State University as a student-athlete and in its College of Education.  

“It has been more than 20 years since I graduated, but I still carry MSU with me every day,” Battle said. “I still use the lessons from my teacher education program in my role leading a district of more than 11,000 employees and 81,000 students.”   

She graduated from MSU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She earned a professional teaching licensure for grades K-8.  

Experience and success 

A Nashville native, Battle chose MSU for its faculty and reputation, and for the opportunity to compete as a Division I track and field athlete.  

“I knew it was a prestigious university with a track record of preparing leaders in education and other fields and providing state-of-the-art facilities for growth and learning,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without MSU and the care that so many people poured into me there.” 

Battle served as an educator and administrator in Nashville for 16 years before becoming superintendent:  

• Math teacher/reading and language arts teacher: Dalewood Middle School, 2003-06 
• Assistant principal: Glencliff High School, 2010-11 
• Academic principal: Glencliff High School, 2011-12 
• Executive principal: Antioch High School, 2012-16  
• Executive lead principal, priority schools and elementary schools, 2017 
• Community superintendent overseeing schools in the southeast quadrant, 2017-19 

Her success as an educator led her to receive five prestigious awards and acknowledgements in 2025 alone: 

• Midsouth Emmy Award, Documentary-Cultural, for “Every Student Known: The Creation of an Anthem” 
• Save the Music Foundation Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education 
• Women Who Rock Nashville Phenomenal Woman Award 
• Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence – Top Executive category 
• Nashville Post Education In Charge list 

Not only has Battle succeeded individually, but her entire school district has, too.  

Metro Nashville Public Schools ranked in the top 10 in both math growth and reading growth from 2022-23 and again from 2023-24. This accomplishment was recognized nationally in the Education Recovery Scorecard by researchers from Harvard University and Stanford University. 

Leadership strategies 

For Battle, leadership is the ability to delegate.  

“Real leadership isn’t about doing everything,” she said. “It’s about empowering others to step up and contribute. When I started delegating with trust, not only did my workload become more manageable, but my team also grew in confidence and skill.” 

Regarding her policies, the school district has implemented a student-oriented slogan: “Every Student Known.”

“Every Student Known” is our mission and mantra,” she said. “We work every day to know not just each student’s name, but also their strengths, talents and aspirations. We want to know what makes them tick so we can set them up for success in college, career and life.” 

As Battle reflects on her journey, she shares three pieces of advice she would give to her past self: 

“Walk into every room as if you belong there – because you do.”  

“No one succeeds alone. The African proverb says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.’”  

“True success is measured not by how high you climb but by how many you bring with you.” 

She expressed her gratitude for students pursuing a career in the education field.  

“Public schools need you, and you can have a tremendous impact on students if you’re passionate, dedicated and innovative,” Battle said. “Thank you for choosing education.” 

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