About me
Dr. Adrima Caesar’s passion for serving all students, particularly those with exceptionalities, was sparked at an early age. She attended Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings for her sibling, who has multiple disabilities, including severe cognitive impairment, autism, hearing impairment, nonverbal communication, and cerebral palsy, and for whom she continues to serve as caregiver. Her commitment deepened as an adolescent while working with young children in Sunday School, where she discovered her calling to education. Dr. Caesar began her educational career in 2004 as an interim seventh-grade teacher at New City Academy before joining The Leona Group, where she spent four years as a first-grade teacher and special education resource room teacher at Allen Academy. In 2008, she transitioned to Detroit Public Schools as a high school special education teacher serving students with severe emotional disorders at Johnson McKinney Center. By 2010, she was appointed K–12 Assistant Principal during the center’s merger with Turning Point Academy Day Treatment Center. The following year, Dr. Caesar became principal at Oakman Orthopedic Elementary and later Keidan Special Education Center. Her outstanding leadership was recognized in 2018 when she was named a Detroit Public Schools Community District Principal of the Year finalist. In 2020, she advanced to the role of Senior Director of Assistive Technology, Curriculum, Alternative Assessments, and Professional Development for the Office of Exceptional Student Education (ESE). In 2025, Dr. Caesar was recognized as the ARC of Detroit Educator of the Year. Throughout her career, Dr. Caesar has collaborated with diverse groups of educators, families, and community members to improve student achievement and well-being in therapeutic, safe, and inclusive environments. Her educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that all students can learn when supported by a nurturing environment, servant leadership, dedicated educators, strong community partnerships, and engaged families. Dr. Caesar has also served in numerous professional organizations. She is the past president of the Metropolitan Detroit Alliance of Black School Educators (MDABSE) and the local president of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Chi Chapter. She has contributed nationally as committee cochair for the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) youth leadership conferences and national conference, and holds memberships in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the Educators Optimist Club of Detroit. She has also presented at major conferences, including those of the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC), NABSE, and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Academically, Dr. Caesar earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education with a minor in communications from Michigan State University in 2003, followed by a master’s degree in special education from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2007. She completed her Doctorate in Leadership in Educational Administration (K–12) from Capella University in 2015. Additionally, she completed the Atlantic Research Partners’ Superintendents Training Academy in 2011–2012 and, in 2020, was one of six principals selected for the Detroit Public Schools Master Leaders Program in partnership with Eastern Michigan University. This initiative prepared a pipeline of transformative leaders through intensive coaching and professional development led by EMU faculty and DPSCD master principals.
