USN remembers Interim Director Jean Gray Litterer
The Nashville educator led USN at the turn of the century.
Education leader Jean Gray Litterer, who served as University School of Nashville's Interim Director during the 1999-2000 school year, has died.
"I hope to afford the University School a transition from one administration to another," Litterer told The Tennessean when she retired from her longtime role as Hillsboro High School principal. "By serving as an interim, I feel that they will have ample time to find a director whose leadership style will be parallel to the needs of the school."
Her service allowed the Board of Trustees time to find a permanent successor to Director Ed Costello.
"From all I could glean in hindsight, her style, graciousness, wisdom, and genuine care for children shone through from day one," said Director Vince Durnan. "She welcomed me generously and left meticulously inscribed, encouraging notes in the desk, which I then discovered at unpredictable intervals for months while settling in. That's who Jean was — and much more. And she stayed a dedicated USN events attendee from then forward."
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"I hope to afford the University School a transition from one administration to another," Litterer told The Tennessean when she retired from her longtime role as Hillsboro High School principal. "By serving as an interim, I feel that they will have ample time to find a director whose leadership style will be parallel to the needs of the school."
Her service allowed the Board of Trustees time to find a permanent successor to Director Ed Costello.
"From all I could glean in hindsight, her style, graciousness, wisdom, and genuine care for children shone through from day one," said Director Vince Durnan. "She welcomed me generously and left meticulously inscribed, encouraging notes in the desk, which I then discovered at unpredictable intervals for months while settling in. That's who Jean was — and much more. And she stayed a dedicated USN events attendee from then forward."
Visitation is 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 26 at Christ Cathedral Episcopal Church, 900 Broadway. A music celebration and funeral service follows at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the church or the Hillsboro High School Parent Teacher Student Organization. Read her full obituary in The Tennessean.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Experienced educators join High School
Allison Van Konynenburg returns to USN as Interim HS Dean of Teaching and Learning. Taking on additional responsibilities this academic year, Justin Fitzpatrick is now Interim HS Dean for Academic Affairs and Laura Snow is the High School Academic Operations Manager.Read More -
Lower School welcomes new faculty for 2026-2027
Please join us in welcoming to USN: LS Spanish Teacher Connor Mitchell, LS Music Teacher Marisa Frank, LS Learning Support Specialist MacKenzie Grant, Fourth Grade Teacher Alexis Novotny, Second Grade Teachers Cara Bishop and Lindsay Moates, First Grade Teachers Marisa Depke and Molly Roth '10, and Kindergarten Teacher Ellen Haber '00. Also, Naturalist Carrie Riley transitions to LS from the HS Science Department.Read More -
Middle School welcomes learning specialist
Learning Specialist Rachel Harley has over a decade in middle school education. Her office is located in room 1171 on the first floor of the Gordon Wing, in the former Middle School conference room.Read More
Contact
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.