She loves to speak about the high level of support found in this school and within the community itself. She does not take for granted the amazing resources and encouragement found here — for all Hamtramck students. It reminds her of when she was a young girl and had a fifth-grade teacher who had a way of ‘celebrating our successes’ and demonstrated a ‘high level of care’ every day in the class-room.
“Very often the hook that brings a child to want to learn and feel a sense of accomplishment goes beyond academic achievement and strikes at a very personal level. We have that type of environment here and that’s what excites me about this position and this school.”
One part of the environment Principal Cash likes to speak about is the Intervention Program at Hamtramck Academy. She says it’s the secret sauce of a National Heritage Academies (NHA) school and it’s done in a very intentional way. “We have diagnostics and benchmarking as early as kindergarten so we can customize an educational experience that work best…for each child.”
Principal Cash is more than familiar with the Moral Focus virtues that are integrated into every aspect of an NHA school. Her teaching career began at Detroit Merit Charter Academy (an NHA school) where she taught second and fourth grade. After three years she left for a position in charter school management, and then came to Hamtramck Academy where she rose to a dean position in 2014.
She is glad her educational leadership journey continues with her role here today as principal in a place she affectionately calls home. She knows that students here will receive the skills and resources to go after whatever dreams and aspirations their young heart’s desire. “My goal is for every child to walk out at the end of each school year better and stronger than when they first walked in.”
A Few Things About Principal Cash
- She was born and raised in the city of Detroit.
- She earned her B.A. Degree from Michigan State University, and her M.A. Degree at Marygrove College in Detroit.
- She enjoys reading and makes time to fit in a spa or sauna — a perfect place to rest, reflect, and re-energize.
- She says “compassion” and “encouragement” play a lead role every day in her own life.
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About Hamtramck Academy
Hamtramck Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Hamtramck, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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