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Lipscomb Academy announces new faculty, administrative hires for 2025-26 academic year
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
Kelsey Walton, pre-k4 faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, University of Southern Indiana; May 2026 candidate for Master of Education in Childhood Education, Lipscomb University. Originally from Indiana, Walton moved to the area six years ago. With three years of experience teaching pre-K and a background working with children of all ages, she brings both passion and adaptability to her work in early childhood education. Her family continues to live in Indiana, where they operate a large cattle and crop farm and share a strong, close-knit bond. Outside of the classroom, Walton enjoys hunting, fishing, weightlifting, walking her dog, spending time with friends, attending VOLS football games, and exploring new restaurants. She has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and values an active, adventurous lifestyle.
Lower School
Sidney Hudgins, first grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (PreK-3), Freed-Hardeman University. Hudgins is an excited teacher focused on making a positive impact in students' lives. She prioritizes building strong relationships with her students and creating a supportive, engaging classroom environment where all learners feel valued and encouraged to grow. Hudgins values fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love for learning, ensuring every student thrives academically, socially, and spiritually.
Karly Kunze, fourth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Lipscomb University. Kunze has more than eight years of experience teaching sixth grade at Grassland Middle School and has taught English Language Arts, math, and science. Originally from Marietta, Georgia, she has called Nashville home for the past 20 years. Kunze and her husband of 14 years have three children who currently attend the academy (5th grade, 2nd grade, and SEED). The Kunze family are members of Hillsboro Church of Christ and are often at the baseball/softball fields or basketball court cheering on their big kids. In her free time, Kunze enjoys spending time in her garden or curling up with a good book.
Tiffany Martindale, fifth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Blue Mountain Christian University; Master of Special Education with endorsement in Gifted Education, University of Southern Mississippi. Martindale has nineteen years of experience teaching elementary school. Most recently, she taught gifted education at Madison Station Elementary in Madison, Mississippi. Martindale lives in Bellevue with her husband, Barrett. They have two children: Emma, who attends Lipscomb University, and Jackson, who will attend the academy this fall. They attend Harpeth Hills Church of Christ. Together, they enjoy hiking to waterfalls and traveling.
Sarah Miller, fourth grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, Lipscomb University; May 2026 candidate for Master of Science in Education (K–5), University of Tennessee-Martin. Miller has experience teaching first through third grades in a Montessori setting and most recently taught at Community Montessori School in Jackson, Tennessee. Originally from Jackson, she is excited to return to the Nashville area. In her free time, she enjoys going for long walks or runs, attending concerts, exploring Nashville, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica Varnado, third grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies, Concentration K-6, Middle Tennessee State University. Varnado has over a decade of classroom experience in education, nine of which years have focused on math, in the third, fourth, and sixth grades. Additionally, she has helped lead math curriculum development teams, and has served on multiple leadership teams. Most recently, Varnado served as a fourth grade teacher at Merrol Hyde Magnet School in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She has also taught internationally and participated in mission work across multiple countries. She is passionate about building strong classroom communities and helping students grow in confidence and faith. Varnado and her husband, Nick, have two children and are members of Hillsboro Church of Christ. She loves the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Catherine Vaughn, third grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary teaching K-5 with an endorsement in Special Education K-8, Lipscomb University. Vaughn completed student teaching at Lipscomb Academy in fifth grade and Hattie Cotton Elementary school in exceptional education in third-fifth grades. She is from Waverly, Tennessee, and attends McEwen Church of Christ. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, shopping, and going to the river.
Upper School
Kyla Arrington, upper school math faculty. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Harding University. As an experienced educator, Arrington has been teaching for more than 30 years, 25 of which were spent investing in students at Harpeth High School in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. Additionally, she previously taught for five years at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tennessee. Arrington and her husband, Tim, have two children: Tyler and Kelsey. In her spare time, she loves to travel, work in her shade garden, and watch the Predators!
Ted Martinez, upper school social studies faculty. Education: Master of Arts in Public Service Administration, Cumberland University; Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology, Washburn University. Martinez has more than 10 years of experience teaching high school social studies in Metro Nashville Public Schools and Williamson County Schools. Originally from Denver, Colorado, he has lived in Franklin since 2006 with his wife Brenda. They have two daughters and attend Church of the City in Franklin. Together, they enjoy spending time talking, watching movies, and playing with their mini goldendoodle. Martinez also spends time coaching volleyball at Lipscomb Academy and Alliance Volleyball Club.
Gary Suttle, upper school English faculty. Education: Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Literature and Theory and Criticism, Certification in English and Secondary Education, University of Sioux Falls; Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, Ball State University. Suttle has ten years experience at the university level teaching literature, composition, and ethics at the University of Sioux Falls and Waynesburg University. Prior to his time in higher education, he taught high school and middle school Language Arts. Suttle recently moved to Brentwood where he lives with his wife, Allison, and their son. He enjoys golf, reading, and live music.
Fine Arts
Abby Grossman, theater faculty, grades 6-12. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Trevecca Nazarene University. A native of Mount Juliet, Grossman attended Mount Juliet Christian Academy where current Lipscomb Academy theater teacher Kim Overstreet was one of her teachers and mentors. Her hobbies are drama and listening to music, and in her free time, Grossman enjoys spending time with her husband (recently married this summer) and their dog, Penny.
Staff Positions
Ryan Bariteau, athletics operations coordinator. Education: Bachelor of Business Administration with minors in Philosophy and Early Childhood Studies, Sonoma State University; Master of Education in Athletic Administration, William Woods University. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Bariteau brings a diverse and well-rounded background in athletics, education, and operations. A lifelong Bay Area sports fan, he grew up playing competitive baseball. Prior to joining Lipscomb Academy, he taught high school math and coached both baseball and lacrosse, while also working part-time in the athletic department gaining valuable experience in balancing classroom, coaching, and operational responsibilities. Outside of his professional life, Bariteau is a movie and TV show enthusiast. He enjoys sports photography and playing slow pitch softball, and Disneyland, a place that matches his energy, creativity, and sense of fun, is his favorite getaway.
Maddie Bledsoe, SEED and lower school counselor. Education: Master in Education, Lipscomb University; Bachelor of Science in Public Health, College of Charleston. During most of the spring 2025 semester, Bledsoe served as the interim SEED and lower school counselor at Lipscomb Academy and is excited to move into this role full-time. Prior to her time at Lipscomb, she was a patient advocate on the Hill in Washington D.C., worked at Percy Priest Elementary School in Metro Nashville Public Schools, and was the counseling intern at Nashville Christian School. One of her greatest passions includes serving as an advocate for children by helping foster a learning environment that promotes personal growth and allows each student to soar by reaching their fullest potential. She is looking forward to forming relationships with students and creating an impact within the Lipscomb Academy community. Bledsoe, her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Eloise, are active members at Otter Creek Church of Christ. A few of her favorite activities include running, reading, traveling, and visiting local coffee shops around the city.
Sheryl Thomas, upper school academic counselor. Education: Bachelor of Education, Middle Tennessee State University; Master of Arts in Conflict Management and Resolution from Abilene Christian University. With over 17 years of experience in teaching, student success, and conflict resolution, Thomas is deeply committed to both academic excellence and emotional well-being. Her mission is to make a positive and lasting impact on students’ lives. She has three children, the youngest of whom attends Lipscomb University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, creating art, and volunteering with the worship ministry at Otter Creek Church.
Trevon VanEgtern, academic support math interventionist. Education: Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Secondary Education, Saint Mary’s University. VanEgtern previously served as an assistant baseball coach at Saint Mary’s where he combined his passion for athletics with mentorship and leadership. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, playing golf, and staying active through various sports.
Hardu Virks-Lee, 2-Hour Learning lead guide, Accelerate Program. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Physiology and Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder; Master of Business Administration and Management, Monmouth University. Virks-Lee is an educator and coach with over a decade of experience supporting student growth in high school, collegiate, and military settings. He spent ten years in strength and conditioning across NCAA and high school athletics, contributing to more than 25 championship programs. Virks-Lee also had the opportunity to coach at Joint Base Lewis-McChord working directly with the U.S. Army Special Forces to enhance performance and resilience. Most recently, he led the life skills curriculum at Alpha and NextGen Academy focused on helping students build confidence, a love of learning, and a strong sense of purpose. At Lipscomb Academy, he will be helping implement the 2-Hour Learning model and create an environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Julie Webb, student success coordinator. Education: Bachelor of Social Work, Lipscomb University; Master of Science in Social Work, University of Tennessee. A proud Nashville native and “Lipscomb lifer,” Webb is passionate about building community and believes in the power of meaningful relationships. She is a licensed social worker who has always been driven by one mission: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Webb spent several years as a therapeutic counselor in a high school walking alongside students through some of their most formative and often challenging seasons. Her career later took a creative turn into marketing, communications, advancement, and event planning, where her people skills and passion for connection continued to thrive. Now, she is thrilled to return “home” to Lipscomb, where she can once again invest in students and help them succeed. Outside of work, Webb enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful children. She loves cooking, working out, shopping, catching up with friends, and cheering on the Tennessee Vols.
Change in Position
Katy Clayton, media specialist. Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, K-5, Master in Education in Instructional Coaching, Lipscomb University. A native of Atlanta, Clayton attended Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC), where both of her parents taught. For the past ten years, she has taught at Lipscomb Academy. Before joining the Lipscomb family, she returned to her alma mater, GAC, and taught there for three years. Clayton’s husband, Billy, is a paraprofessional in the Solly School. Their son, Liam, and daughter, Lily are both enrolled in the SEED school. As a family, they love cheering for the Braves, hanging out at youth group, and having great conversations at the dinner table.
Connor Glasscock, third grade faculty. Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Freed-Hardeman University; Master of Business Administration, Freed-Hardeman University; May 2026 candidate for Master of Education, Lipscomb University. Glasscock was born and raised in the greater Nashville area. For the past two and a half years, he has worked with the Solly School program at the academy and is thrilled to now have the opportunity to teach mathematics to students in third grade. Glasscock has been the co-worship minister at the Crieve Hall church of Christ since April 2023. Aside from his professional passions for teaching students and leading a cappella worship, he also enjoys using his spare time to play golf, play guitar, and loyally root on the Florida Gators.
Emily Hammond, junior kindergarten faculty. Education: Bachelor of Education, Lipscomb University; Master of Education in Reading, Middle Tennessee State University. From an early age, Hammond knew she was called to be a teacher, and she began her career in 1997 after graduating from Lipscomb University. She began her teaching journey in Metro Nashville Public Schools where she taught second grade and kindergarten for four years. She went on to teach preK-4 at Harpeth Hills Preschool and spent the past 16 years at Lipscomb Academy. After serving in a different role for the past three years, she is excited to return to the classroom. She believes God created her to teach, and she is passionate about using the talents and calling He has given her to love, nurture, and inspire the young children who enter her classroom. Hammond is married to Paul, and together they have four children: Ellie, Cooper, Cole, and Tess. Now enjoying the season of being empty nesters, they love trying new restaurants with friends, walking their dogs, and traveling.
Jennifer Mineo, assistant Marketplace manager. Education: Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. Mineo is a familiar face on the Lipscomb campus as she has been a valued part of the lower school community for the past few years. Prior to joining the Lipscomb community, while raising her two daughters with her husband, Tony, she owned and operated businesses in both the transportation and food and beverage industries. She has a heart for service and enjoys cooking and serving underprivileged children in the Nashville area.
Administration
Katy Flatt, head of lower school. Education: Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice, Trevecca Nazarene University; Master of Education in Teaching, Leading, and Learning, Lipscomb University; Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Freed-Hardeman University. Flatt returns to Lipscomb Academy after 17 years in education during which she served as a teacher at East Hickman Intermediate in Hickman County Schools, Madison Creek Elementary in Sumner County Schools, and both Dan Mills Elementary and Granbery Elementary in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She also worked as an instructional coach at Hillsboro School in Williamson County Schools. Flatt originally joined the Lipscomb Academy staff in 2019, serving concurrently as the dean of academics and assistant head until 2022. Since 2023, she has been the director of Berry’s Chapel Preschool. She and her husband, Ethan, have two children: Annie, age 3, who will attend the SEED school in the fall, and Ellis, age 1.