ABOUT ME!

Dr. Brandi De La Cruz is the 2025–2026 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, currently entering her 17th year as an educator and her 7th year teaching mathematics at Collierville High School, in Collierville, Tennessee. Her path to the classroom was anything but traditional. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi Valley State University with aspirations of becoming a Martha Stewart-style entrepreneur, she quickly discovered her true passion lay in education.

In a pivotal career shift, Dr. De La Cruz accepted a position as a geometry teacher and softball coach at the historic Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Drawing on her experience as a collegiate softball player, she embraced the opportunity and simultaneously pursued her Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. After earning that degree, Dr. De La Cruz enrolled in Arkansas State University and received a Master of Educational Theory and Practice.

Her dedication to advanced learners led her to Fuller Middle School, where she taught in the Gifted and Talented Program for three years. After six impactful years teaching in the Little Rock area, she and her family relocated to Memphis, where she taught various math courses and coached soccer and softball at Southwind High School.

With an unwavering commitment to growth and leadership, Dr. De La Cruz pursued a Ph.D. in Secondary Mathematics Education from The University of Mississippi. During this time, she served as a Teaching Assistant, further deepening her expertise in math instruction and teacher development.

Since returning to the classroom in 2018, and joining Collierville High School in 2019, Dr. De La Cruz has become a pillar of the school community. She has served as an instructional coach, PLC lead, and lead organizer of the Morale Committee. She also sponsors student groups such as Paw Pals and The Collierville Crazies and has contributed to both the Teacher Advisory Committee and the District Strategic Planning Committee. Currently, Dr. De La Cruz teaches 10-12th graders in Algebra II Co-teach, College Algebra and Trig, and Dual Enrollment Calculus.

At home Dr. De La Cruz has an almost 2 year old little boy that keeps her busy and her heart full. She started a non-profit dog rescue called Mutt Mafia in 2018 that rescued over 1100 dogs in a little over three years. In her free time Dr. De La Cruz loves watching sports, and referees club, high school and collegiate volleyball.