Lipscomb Academy announces new faculty, administrative hires for 2022-23 academic year

Aug 4 2022

With the beginning of each academic year the Lipscomb Academy community welcomes new students who are starting their educational journeys as Mustangs, as well as new faculty, staff, coaches, and administrators.

SEED School

Leslie Bradley, kindergarten faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in early childhood education, Austin Peay State University; candidate for Master of Education in school counseling, Lipscomb University. Upon graduation in 2020, Bradley taught kindergarten for a semester in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and served as a kindergarten interim teacher this past spring. Bradley is passionate about teaching, excited to be a part of the kindergarten team, and looking forward to incorporating the social-emotional aspect into her classroom.

Kelly Chitty, PK4 faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders, Harding University; Master of Science in speech language pathology, Northeast Louisiana University at Monroe. Chitty has over 15 years experience working with students in early intervention and developmental preschool programs. She and her husband, Rick, met at Harding University where their son, Tyler, now attends. Additionally, their daughter, Elisabeth, is enrolled at the academy. Chitty enjoys hiking, visiting Disney parks with her family, traveling, and playing any racquet sport - including pickleball.

Julie Dooner, kindergarten faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in accounting/management, Lipscomb University; Master of Education in instructional leadership, Lipscomb University, licensure in K-5. Dooner began her career by serving in Metro Nashville Public Schools and teaching second grade at Tusculum Elementary. She left the classroom when her first son was born and returned in 2017 as a substitute teacher at Lipscomb Academy. In 2018, Dooner completed a 9-week kindergarten interim position at Tusculum Elementary. For the past two years, she has served as the lower school’s reading and math interventionist, working with students in grades K-5. She believes in setting high expectations and creating a positive learning environment. She and John, her husband of 16 years, have two sons enrolled at the academy, Jax and Jones.

Jimmi Phillips, PK2 faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in education, University of Nebraska Omaha. Upon graduation, Phillips entered the classroom and taught until staying at home with her young children. She returned to education eight years ago as a preschool teacher where she has been working with young children as they explore life, learning, and a relationship with God. Phillips is excited for the opportunity to work with the youngest population at the academy. Having lived in Nashville for the last 10 years, Jimmi and her husband have three sons, Ethan (7th grade), Jackson (4th grade), and Nixon (kindergarten).

Christy Simmons, PK3 teaching assistant. Education: Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising, Lipscomb University. Outside of the classroom, Simmons enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking and hiking different parks around Nashville and reading. She and her husband, Bobby, have two boys, Stanley and Fletcher.

Solly School

Heather Gleason, Solly School paraprofessional. Education: Bachelor of Arts in communication, Lipscomb University. Returning to her alma mater this fall, Gleason first enrolled in Lipscomb Academy as a freshman in high school in 2003. For the past two years, she has served as part of the preschool staff at Jenkins Day School in Nolensville. She and her husband, Ryan, live in Arrington, have two children, and are active members at Tusculum Church of Christ.

Jane Jansen, Solly School paraprofessional. Education: Bachelor of Science in sociology, Clemson University. Upon graduation, Jansen moved to Nashville and taught fifth grade at a Title I school of all English Language Learners. Since leaving the education field six years ago, she has been a full-time nanny for a local family with a child currently enrolled in the Solly School. Jansen is excited to be back serving in a school while also getting to see her favorite little girl at Solly every day.

Brynn Lotz, Solly School paraprofessional. Education: Bachelor of Science in family science, Lipscomb University. Originally from Indiana, Lotz has a passion to serve children. In her last year of college, she served as an intern at Mother to Mother, a local nonprofit that provides vital health, safety, and wellness items for infants and children in need. Brynn plans to return to the classroom as a student in 2023 to pursue a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

Tim Spivey, Solly School paraprofessional. Education: Bachelor of Arts in music performance, Loyola University. Spivey loves playing music professionally and with his family. However, music is not his only passion. For the past seven years, Spivey has supported the disability community working with adults and children. He lives in Nashville with his wife, Jackie, and their two children.

Ryan Thornton, Solly School faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in special education, University of Georgia; Master of Education in early childhood special education, Vanderbilt University. Thornton began her teaching career in Williamson County Schools as a student support teacher at Walnut Grove Elementary. In this role, she served students with mild to severe categories of disability. She continued her career as a collegiate tutor, supporting college students with specific learning disabilities. For the last five years, Thornton has served Metro Nashville Public Schools as an elementary special education teacher where she supported students with mild to severe disabilities. In this role, she acted as team lead for three years and was a member of the school leadership team. Thornton resides with her husband, Bryan, and has three children and an incredibly active dog.

Lower School

Carleigh Brunker, second grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Biola University, La Mirada, California; Master of Science in professional counseling, Mid America Christian University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A Southern California native, Brunker has been teaching for twelve years. She has worked at the independent college preparatory Casady School and Oklahoma Christian School and was a teaching assistant in Lowell Joint School District’s Macy Elementary School in La Habra, California. Teaching young minds is her passion. Brunker and her husband, Jeff, one daughter, Scarlett.

Kristina Cason, fourth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in business, University of Phoenix; Master of Education in elementary education, Lipscomb University; licensure in K-5. An honors graduate and member of Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society for Educators, Cason has taught in Christian education previously with experience in fourth- and fifth- grade. Trained in the Reader/Writer Workshop and Responsive Classroom, she is passionate to teach the whole child: heart, mind, body, and soul and excited to continue her career in a loving, Christ-filled community at Lipscomb Academy.

Abby Everson, fifth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Harding University; licensure in grades K-6, as well as middle level math. A Summa Cum Laude 2022 graduate, Everson conducted her student teaching in second- and third-grade classrooms in Beebe and Kensett, Arkansas, neighboring cities to Searcy. With Science of Reading training, she developed a reading intervention plan to implement with her students who struggled with dyslexia. A Lipscomb Academy alumni and Lipscomb Lifer, Everson is excited to begin her education career at a place that embodies Christ fully and exemplifies a welcoming and loving environment.

Janene Ezell, first grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in elementary and early childhood education, Lipscomb University; licensure in PK-3. Beginning her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Goodpasture Christian School in 1988, Ezell was a substitute and interim teacher while her four children were students at Lipscomb Academy. She returned to the classroom full-time as a kindergarten teacher at Otter Creek Kindergarten and Preschool. She has also coached the academy’s seventh- and eighth-grade cheerleaders since 2018. In the classroom, Ezell is devoted to creating an interactive environment where students know they are loved and encouraged to explore and learn about all God has planned and created for them. Having originally stepped onto Lipscomb’s campus as a first grader, coming back to Lipscomb in first grade feels like coming home!

Niki Ganick, second grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in elementary education, Lipscomb University. Ganick taught kindergarten for four years in Georgia and third- and fourth-grade for three years at Lipscomb Academy before choosing to stay at home with her children. She and her husband, Chandler, live in Brentwood with their children, Chloe, Maddox, and Rylie.

Morgan McIntyre, first grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary teaching, Lipscomb University; licensure in PreK-3 with EL endorsement. During her time at Lipscomb University, McIntyre obtained various academic achievements including Provost’s List, maintaining a 4.0 GPA from 2018-22. McIntyre was also involved in the ASCD Student Chapter program at Lipscomb, designed to accelerate preservice educators and student teachers. In the spring of 2022, McIntyre received the Carol Hall Student Teacher Award from Lipscomb. A Summa Cum Laude 2022 graduate, McIntyre completed her student teaching practicum experience in Metro Nashville Public Schools at Granbery Elementary in first grade and at Lipscomb Academy in Junior Kindergarten. McIntyre is thrilled to begin her teaching journey in a Christ-centered environment and become a part of the Lipscomb Academy community.

Shelby Nokes, 2nd grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Lipscomb University; licensure in grades K-5 with English Language Learners endorsement K-12. A Cum Laude 2022 graduate, Nokes completed her student teaching practicum experience at Lipscomb Academy in third grade and in Metro Nashville Public Schools at Granbery Elementary in second grade. She is excited to embark on her teaching journey and is elated to be able to do so among the life-giving Lipscomb community.

Maggie Seal, third grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Lipscomb University; licensure in grades K-5 with English Language Learner endorsement. Previously, Seal taught in the public school system in Middle Tennessee as a third-grade teacher. A former student at the lower school, she is excited and eager to return to the academy. Seal loves to cultivate a positive and engaging learning environment where she helps students set, reach, and exceed their goals.

Middle School

Jane Crothers, sixth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in middle school education, Lipscomb University. Crothers obtained various academic honors during her time at Lipscomb University, including the Honor Roll and Provost’s List all 3.5 years, and was a member of the women’s basketball program at the university for three years. Crothers served in Sumner County as an assistant girls’ basketball coach at Station Camp Middle School for one year while she completed an interim position as a seventh grade math teacher during part of this time. Crothers completed another interim position as a sixth grade teacher at Lipscomb Academy in spring of 2022.

Maddie Lillicrap, eighth grade English and Language Arts faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in English teaching grades 6-12, Lipscomb University. As a youth ministry intern and educator, Lillicrap has spent her time transferring a love of English and scripture to students in multiple churches, specifically East Brainerd Church of Christ, Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, and Fourth Avenue Church of Christ. In the spring of 2022, Lillicrap received the Mary Morris Character Award and the Sally Lavender Award for Excellence in Teaching from Lipscomb University. Her love of words is rooted in scripture, and she desires to lead students to the same reverence for scripture, as she believes that English is a direct avenue to share and receive God’s word. Lillicrap graduated from the academy in 2018 and shares, “Lipscomb has been my home for the past 11 years, and I hope to create the same home for my students and to establish a lasting influence as a follower of Christ. I’m excited to work alongside the Lipscomb community and their mission that lives close to my heart.”

Upper School

Josh Crossland, upper school social studies faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in psychology and history, Lipscomb University. For the past 12 years, Crossland has taught high school social studies at Zion Christian Academy in Columbia, Tennessee, as well as coached middle school and varsity baseball for the Zion Eagles. He and his wife, Amy, live in Bellevue. Crossland is passionate about baseball, spending time with his wife, and all things Vanderbilt sports.

Tabitha Durham, upper school math faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in math teaching, Lipscomb University; Master of Education in instructional technology, Lipscomb University. Having previously served in Williamson County Schools for almost 18 years teaching mostly Algebra I and Geometry at Page Middle School, Durham has a passion for math and knew she wanted to be a math teacher since third grade. She loves how math shows the beauty of God’s creation in its patterns and logic with her favorite math-related Bible verse being 1 Kings 7:23. She and her husband, Steve, a technology manager at Lipscomb’s Spark Center downtown, have two daughters, Lois (4th grade) and Leah (kindergarten) enrolled in the lower school. The Durham family are active members at the church of Christ in Green Hills, where Tabitha volunteers as a camp curriculum writer and teacher, children’s Bible class teacher, and youth group chaperone and supporter at the congregation.

Rachel McCurry, upper school English faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in English education, Harding University; Master of Arts in English literature, Auburn University. As an undergraduate student at Harding, McCurry served as the head copy editor of the university's newspaper, The Bison. While pursuing an advanced degree at Auburn University, she served as a graduate teaching assistant and taught freshman composition classes. In her free time, McCurry loves to read, sew, exercise, and listen to Taylor Swift.

Layne Vieira, upper school English faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in teaching, Lipscomb University. For the last four years, Vieira taught eighth-grade English in Metro Nashville Public Schools at Meigs Magnet Middle School. She is passionate about teaching English because she believes stories are one of the best tools we have to understand ourselves and the world around us. Furthermore, developing reading and writing skills help people communicate effectively and express ideas accurately. Outside of the school day, Vieira enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her students in their extracurricular activities, coaching soccer at a local soccer club, and reading.

Fine Arts

Brian Michael Jones, upper school theatre faculty and director of upper school fall play. Education: Bachelor in Theatre Arts, Pepperdine University. Jones taught acting and improvisation for 20 years in Los Angeles, including at Windward School (an independent high school), Pepperdine University, and Loyola Marymount University, before moving to Tennessee in 2020. He has been a guest lecturer and teacher at California Lutheran University, Chadwick School, and Santa Barbara High School. At Pepperdine, Jones was the director of the Pepperdine Improv Troupe, continuing a 20-year tradition of bringing family friendly improv shows to the students and the Malibu, California, community. In addition to teaching, he has been an actor in many television shows and films throughout the years. As a Jim Henson Company trained puppeteer, he has worked on The Muppets and various films. Jones is excited to bring a variety of skills and storytelling tools to the students at Lipscomb Academy. He lives in Franklin with his wife and four children.

Christine McNeal, director of upper school spring musical. Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, Shenandoah Conservatory. A professional actress on stage and screen, McNeal was most recently seen in the title role of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s production of Mary Poppins. An accomplished dancer, she will also be involved with Lipscomb Academy’s School of Dance. After several years acting based in New York City, McNeal moved to Nashville with her husband and now teaches in her own private studio while remaining active in regional professional theatre.

Madison Paulette, lower school art faculty. Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual art studies with emphasis in education, University of North Texas; licensure in grades K-6. Previously, Paulette taught public middle school in Texas for five years before transitioning to Grace Christian Academy (GCA) in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, as the kindergarten through eight grade art teacher. After three years at GCA, she is excited to join the Lipscomb Academy family. Paulette is passionate about creating an environment for children to express themselves and build their confidence as creators in the art room.

Administration

Jill Hunt, associate head of lower school. Education: Bachelor of Science in child and family studies and education, Freed-Hardeman University; Master of Education in administration and supervision degree, Middle Tennessee State University. Hunt served since 2018 in Williamson County Schools as the principal at Westwood Elementary School. Under her leadership, Westwood was twice named a Tennessee Reward School, an award given to schools that are improving in terms of achievement or growth for all students and student groups. Westwood received the award in both categories of achievement and growth both years. Prior to Westwood, Hunt served in several capacities in Hickman County Schools, including principal at Centerville Elementary School and assistant principal at East Hickman Intermediate School. As a strong administrator, she steered Centerville Elementary to achieve Level 5 growth - the state’s highest designation - in literacy and numeracy, implemented a new phonemic awareness curriculum for students, and created a STEM laboratory to inspire creative problem solving. Hunt began her teaching career at East Hickman and Centerville elementary schools with a combined five years in kindergarten and first grade. She and her husband Ross Hunt have three children, two of which will be enrolled in Lipscomb Academy this fall.

Athletics

Christina Saenger, part-time middle school volleyball coach. Education: Bachelor of Arts in recording industry studies and strategic communication with a public relations concentration, Butler University. Saenger, a four-year volleyball defensive specialist athlete while at Butler, continued her love of the sport upon graduation by coaching for The Academy Volleyball Club in Indianapolis where she led several summer camps and clinics, including co-leading the Cadets program and conducting over 500 private lessons with players of all ages, positions, and skill levels. Since 2019, she has coached with Alliance Volleyball Club in Nashville and is a current team head coach. Relocating to Nashville to continue pursuing a career in music business and venue PR and marketing, Saenger is now happy to be coaching volleyball full time. She recently completed her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training and will begin teaching classes later this year.

Lipscomb Academy (general staff positions)

Katherine Clarkson, academic and college counselor. Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Mississippi; candidate for Master of Education in school counseling, Lipscomb University. For the past six year, Clarkson has worked in pharmaceutical sales. However, driven by a desire to pursue her true passion of encouraging students to reach their full potential, she left that career path to enter education. Clarkson loves traveling, spending time at church and with family and friends, and visiting Oxford, Mississippi, where she and her husband, Levi, both graduated from Ole Miss. They have a two-year-old daughter, Monroe, and Clarkson enjoys spending her time at home giggling with her daughter.

Lucas Domberg, academic support tutor. Education: December 2022 candidate for Bachelor of Science in biology, Lipscomb University. Domberb is the captain of the Lipscomb University cheerleading team, as well as a resident assistant in High Rise dorm. He is a Lipscomb Trustee scholar and plans to attend a medical school in the fall of 2023.

Nateshia Huddleston, upper school security officer. A Nashville native, Huddleston has spent 12 years working in juvenile residential treatment facilities throughout Nashville and Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. She believes in changing lives one youth at a time. Huddleston, a small business owner, operates The CRE8IV, a Christian apparel brand rooted in Exodus 35:35. She is a twin, has 14-year-old twin sons, and is the aunt to 14-year-old twin nephews mothered by her twin sister. Huddleston’s goal is to bring a sense of safety and security to the Lipscomb Academy community, as well as light and laughter.

Beth Jent, academic support student success coordinator. Education: Bachelor of Science, Lipscomb University; Master of Social Work, University of Tennessee. Jent has worked previously with the District Attorney's Office, as faculty in the social work department at Lipscomb University, and most recently, as the director of the ACCESS Ability Office also at Lipscomb University. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, Brooklyn (8th grade), Harrison (6th grade), and Zach (4th grade). Jent enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking with her family.

Loren Kirklin, academic support tutor. Education: Bachelor of Science in elementary education, Lipscomb University. A Lipscomb Academy and University graduate, Kirklin was a collegiate basketball athlete at the university where she learned much about faith and community. Upon graduation, she taught fifth grade at the academy for three years before moving to Texas for a year. She, her husband, Trenton, and their daughter, Camryn, returned to Nashville when Trenton accepted a football coaching position at Vanderbilt University. A native of Nashville, Kirklin loves to spend time with family. She is an avid outdoorsman spending her time running, fishing, hiking, and playing sports and believes her goal and purpose are to show Christ in everything she does. Kirklin and her family attend Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.

Dixie Livingston, academic support scheduling and billing coordinator. Having previously served in Williamson County Schools as a librarian for six years, Livingston is passionate about ensuring students have the best experience possible during their time at school whether through academic support, meaningful conversations, or a game of chess. She lives in Nolensville with her husband Eric, their Basset Hound Darla, and three almost grown children, Isaac, Ethan, and Jaylie.

Jamon Martin, campus minister. Education: Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Lipscomb University. A Lipscomb Academy alumnus, Martin began his journey in ministry as a youth pastor at Otter Creek Church of Christ where he currently serves as an elder and directed Christian camp for 30 years. After a long career as a vice president of client services in Brentwood, Martin is excited to return to his high school alma mater to minister to students, families, and faculty/staff, as well as be heavily involved in chapels and service opportunities across both campuses. He will continue his role as the chaplain for the Brentwood Police Department.

Katie Mosley, photographer. Education: Bachelor of Science in photography, Middle Tennessee State University. A Lipscomb Academy alumna, Mosley, business owner of K. Mosley Photography, is leading a new academy initiative to provide high quality, portrait photos of Mustangs all year long. In addition to her personal involvement in arts and athletics while a student at the academy, her specialization in families and children makes her the ideal candidate to navigate the faceted needs of school photography. Voted most school spirit by the Class of 2002, Mosley is eager to return to be a Mustang and launch the Academy’s newest initiative, LA Photo Studio.

Tabitha Newman, academic support tutor. Education: Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and biology, Lipscomb University; candidate for Master of Science in biomolecular science. Since 2020, Newman has tutored Lipscomb University students in sciences and math in the Academic Success Center. As a hands-on and visual learner, she discovered her love of research. Over the last three years, Newman has been working with Zebrafish and studying neurological development. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, and all things Star Wars. Overall, she proclaims to be “a nerd who loves science, fish, and Star Wars” and is excited to join the academic support team to share her love of science.

Abigail Rathgeb, academic and college counselor. Education: Bachelor of Science in policy analysis and management; Master of Education in secondary education and training; candidate for Education Specialist in school counseling, Lipscomb University. Most recently, Rathbeg worked in development for organizations in Boston, Massachusetts, and Redwood City, California, for the past four years. She began her teaching career as a Corps Member with Teach for America in Nashville and taught fifth and sixth grade social studies while pursuing a master’s degree. As an undergraduate student at Cornell, Rathgeb served in the admissions department rendering decisions for prospective students. She is originally from Upstate New York, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with friends and family, enthusiastically cheering on the Nashville Predators, and sadly watching the New York Jets.

Change in Position

Leanne Bruno, academic support tutor. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Christian education, Wheaton College. Bruno has enjoyed working as an academic support tutor and ACT educator at Lipscomb Academy for four years. Prior to the academy, she spent her time raising three daughters and working in various educational institutions. Bruon has supported students with a wide range of learning differences and is passionate about the well-being of “the whole child,” believing that social, emotional, and spiritual health are just as important as academic success. She is an avid animal lover and enjoys cooking, reading, and being outdoors.

Grace Burton, Solly School paraprofessional. A Nashville native and Lipscomb Academy graduate, Burton has worked at Lipscomb for the past five years and loves being with children. She equally enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors. Burton is passionate about early childhood education, and her favorite part of the classroom is experiencing the children’s growth and joy that they bring each day. She has a 14-year-old daughter who will be a freshman at the upper school this fall.

Catherine Dowdy, academic support tutor. Education: Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies of math education, Lipscomb University. A Lipscomb Academy alumnus, for the past three years, Dowdy has taught Algebra II at her alma mater. A Nashville native, she loves spending time with her family, friends, her dogs, and her students, as well as being at the beach. Dowdy and her husband, Will, are members and youth coaches at Hillsboro Church of Christ.

Elizabeth Harrell, performing arts faculty and School of Dance coordinator. Education: Bachelor of Music Education, Harding University. A Lipscomb Academy alumnus, Harrell has been teaching in the fine arts department at the academy since 2012. While a student at the academy, she sang, acted, and danced in multiple musical theatre productions. She was awarded the lead roles in many musicals at Harding, as well as hosted their annual musical review show “Spring Sing”. Harrell choreographed “Spring Sing” shows for four years and danced in many styles for the musical productions, including tap, jazz, and hip hop. Since teaching at Lipscomb Academy, she has choreographed over a dozen shows. A strong believer in the “lifelong learner” philosophy, Harrell has continued to study alongside students in the School of Dance since it began. She sees dance as a great way to stay mentally and physically sharp. She is thrilled to be taking over the strong dance program that Kari Smith created.

Kate Jeans, student success coordinator and reading interventionist. Education: Bachelor of Arts in history and politics, University of Sunderland (UK); Master of Education in instructional practice, Lipscomb University; licensure in K-5 with an Early Childhood Specialist endorsement PK-3. Having previously taught for five years at Lipscomb Academy in grades PK-3 and kindergarten, Jeans is excited to join the Academic Support team. She has a special interest in the science of reading and teaching children to become confident, life-long readers. Jeans has BRP and Reading Recovery reading intervention training and experience and is currently working towards certification as a WRS level I Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.

Audree Keele, upper school English faculty. Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, Freed-Hardeman University; Master of Library and Information Science, Trevecca University; licensure in English 6-12, reading specialist, and library. Keele worked in accounting for several years before completing her degree in library science while staying home with her young children. She has been Lipscomb Academy’s middle school librarian for the past 10 years, with the exception of the epic 2020-21 school year, during which she taught seventh grade English. She has a passion for connecting students with the books that will help make them thoughtful readers, skillful writers, and empathetic thinkers. She and her husband Lon have two sons, Lincoln, a 2022 academy graduate, and Harrison, a junior.

Scott Tillman, upper school Bible faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in speech communication, Lipscomb University; Master of Arts in theology, Lipscomb University. Tillman has worked as both faculty and staff during his 28-year career at Lipscomb Academy. For the past three years, he served as middle school athletic director. He spent nine years in athletic administration, taught Bible and psychology for 25 years, and coached Mustang football for 25 years with six of those years as head coach. Additionally, Tillman serves on the ministerial staff at the Church of Christ in Green Hills. He and his wife, Michelle, have two children, both alumni of the academy.

Justin Wade, SEED School physical education faculty. A native of middle Tennessee, Wade previously served as a student support specialist for the lower school, as well as provided assistance in P.E. and social-emotional-spiritual learning. Prior to joining Lipscomb Academy, he worked as an advocate for children at Black Fox Elementary in Murfreesboro City Schools as athletic director, a behavior specialist, and in the extended school program. Additionally, he has coached basketball for 15 years and currently serves as Lipscomb Academy girls’ basketball varsity assistant and will join the football program this fall as operations assistant. Wade enjoys sports, sneakers, spending time with family, the Lipscomb community, and his home church, Hwy 231 South Church of Christ in Murfreesboro.

Michele Young, associate head of SEED School. Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education K-8 with early childhood endorsement; Master of Arts in educational administration PK-12, Belmont University. Young served in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) for 24 years. During her time at MNPS, she taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, third, and fourth grades.. She served as a mentor-classroom teacher, reading support coach, and professional development trainer. Additionally, she worked three years as a district data coach in the MNPS Research, Assessment, and Evaluation department where she assisted teachers and school leadership in disaggregating assessment data to better drive instruction. Young spent a year of intensive study in the Principals Leadership Academy of Nashville at Vanderbilt. During this experience, she created a strategic initiative for differentiated practice with a focus on the school administrator's role. She served three years in school administration in MNPS and joined Lipscomb Academy in 2018 to lead the SEED School. Young has been married to her husband, Jim, for 27 years, and they have two sons, Jacob (24) and Andrew (21).