Cheri joined the NEE team as a trainer in 2013 after an extensive career in K-12 schools. She began her teaching career as a special education teacher and preschool teacher before becoming an elementary principal. During that time, she was named the Missouri Association of Elementary Principal’s National Distinguished Principal. Cheri then became director of elementary education before assuming the duties of associate superintendent of schools in St. Joseph, Mo. Cheri received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master’s of Arts in Early Childhood, and Specialist degree in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State University.