About
Leadership
A Message from the Head of SchoolDirector Amani Reed
Even before joining the University School of Nashville community, I heard from generations of alumni that their time at 2000 Edgehill helped them become who they are today. Now as head of this school, I have the privilege of spending time daily with students who model everything one could hope for in a learner, marking evident that this century-old institution remains true to its Peabody Demonstration School roots while being a leader in independent school education.
USN strives to be a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging for each student. Our exceptional faculty & staff work together to be the best versions of themselves and to shape learning so that students are best prepared for their days beyond Edgehill. We want them to meet their intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential while still holding true to the values of integrity, creative expression, and a love of learning — all of this in the pursuit of excellence.
Likewise, students of all ages at USN take pride in leading and shaping their learning experiences in and out of the classroom, whether working with cafeteria staff to implement “Meatless Mondays,” increasing the school’s commitment to sustainability by planning and building a green roof through a class project that spanned five years, strengthening ties with peers at retreats and on Forest Days, running toward a consecutive cross country state championship title, turning wood, or fusing glass. Each year, USN students make headlines for their work in the greater Nashville community, travel the country for debate and quiz bowl competitions, and bring home athletic regional and state titles. Their versatility and aptness can be seen not only academically but also through the theater sets they build in our auditorium, many murals across our Edgehill Campus, and the courts and fields full with 80% of Middle and High School students participating in one or more of our 33 sports teams.
At USN, we consider the way learning happens to ensure each student is challenged and supported at every stage of their K-12 journey. In so many ways this is what education is about: being able to see and find yourself in your books and lessons, teachers and coaches, and overall learning; understanding the ways in which you as an individual are part of something much bigger than yourself. My hope is that your child will come to know that about USN too as you tour this website and hopefully our campus in Midtown Nashville. Thank you for considering University School of Nashville as you explore the best learning environment for your family.
Head of School ProfileGet to Know our Director
Amani Reed joined University School of Nashville in July 2022, as its 11th Director and the first person of color to lead the K-12 educational institution founded as Peabody Demonstration School in 1915.
In his career as an educator, Director Reed taught history to middle and high school students, led in several administrative capacities including as head of school, drove equity and justice initiatives, served on accreditation teams, worked as a facilitator at national conferences, and managed an academic enrichment program for middle school students facing limited opportunities.
In his career as an educator, Director Reed taught history to middle and high school students, led in several administrative capacities including as head of school, drove equity and justice initiatives, served on accreditation teams, worked as a facilitator at national conferences, and managed an academic enrichment program for middle school students facing limited opportunities.
A former Division I athlete, Director Reed has coached high school varsity soccer. He has served on the boards of two independent schools and several organizations supporting professionals in education.
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Lower, Middle, and High Schoolers helped Amani get oriented with USN traditions and how to survive the first day of school as well as share the importance of student expression and voice at University School of Nashville.
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School LeadershipBoard of Trustees
The USN Board of Trustees serves to fulfill the Mission of USN:University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
USN Board of Trustees Members
List of 4 items.
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Board Leadership
President: Eric Kopstain
Vice President: Stacey Cason
Secretary: Kristin Wilson
Treasurer: Jim Rieniets -
Board Members
Aole Ansari
Mimi Bliss
Terrence Brooks
Chris Chamberlain '85
Vinh Duong
Saeed Fakhruddin
Reagan Farr
Scott Ghertner '85
Benjamin Goldberg '98
Shanna Singh Hughey
Alex Jahangir
Tonia Klein
Tina Modi
Monique Odom
Robert Perry '03
Will Radford
Jennifer Russell
Ivanetta Davis Samuels '86
Divya Shroff
David Spigel '88
Naima Walker Fierce -
Emeritus & Honorary Members
Emeritus MembersAnn FundisFrank GarrisonJohn Hassenfeld '75Mike Shmerling '73
Raymond ZimmermanHonorary MembersGail Carr Williams
Teri Doochin Kasselberg '73 -
Ex Officio
Ex Officio Members
Amani Reed, Director
Amanda Payne, USNA PresidentBrandy and Mike Bivens, Annual Fund ChairsChris Kuzur '01, Vice President, PDS/USN Alumni Association
Cindy Crenshaw, HS Math Teacher, Faculty Representative
USN Administrative Team
List of 13 members.
1915 to presentPDS/USN Directors
- Dr. Richard Thomas Alexander
1915 – 1924 - Dr. William Henry Yarbrough
1924 – 1937 - Dr. John Edwin Windrow
1937 – 1947 - Dr. T. Ross Fink
1947 – 1951 - Dr. William Knox McCharen
1951 – 1968 - L. Edward Pratt
1968 – 1977 - Harold Snedcof
1977 – 1978 - Heber Rogers*
1978 – 1979 - Harvey B. Sperling
1979 – 1990 - Kay Simmons*
1990 – 1991 - Edward R. Costello
1991 – 1999 - Dr. Jean Gray Litterer*
1999 – 2000 - Dr. Vincent W. Durnan Jr.
2000 – 2022 - Amani Reed
July 1, 2022 – present
*Interim Director
Contact USN
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.