Meet new faculty, staff

8/13/2021

Here is a glimpse at the new faces you’ll see in classrooms, hallways, and offices this year.

By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist

Misha Davydov is the new kindergarten teacher in the Green Door classroom. Davydov comes to USN from A New Leaf Preschool, where he has been teaching since 2015. Prior to joining A New Leaf, Davydov was an assistant language teacher at Altia Central, teaching English to Japanese elementary and kindergarten students. Davydov holds a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese language and culture from Beloit College, as well as a Master of Education in environmental education and early childhood education from Concordia University – Portland. He currently serves as secretary on the executive board of the Tennessee Association of Childhood Early Educators, and he has authored and presented more than 13 continuing education seminars for teachers and administrators on project-based learning, character development, and place-based education.

Kate Kelleher returns as the interim Lower School technologist after previously serving as the long-term substitute in the same position. Kelleher holds a B.S. in middle grades education from North Carolina State University and a M.Ed. in learning and design with a focus on poverty and intervention strategies from Vanderbilt University. Kelleher came to USN with 10 years of highly successful teaching experience in different grade levels and areas of responsibility in schools in North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. She approaches her teaching with curiosity and creativity, as well as a clear focus on meeting the needs of students through the use of technology. Kelleher quickly acclimated to USN life in the 2020-2021 school year and supported teachers and students by utilizing technology in service learning.

Skyler Moots ’07 joins as the new fourth grade teacher after serving as a yearlong substitute in fourth grade last year. Moots has served in various roles in Lower School, including as a long-term substitute in both third and fourth grades, and as a teacher assistant in second and third grades. Moots also currently serves as USN’s head coach for the Middle School boys and girls cross country and track and field programs, as well as assistant coach for those same programs in High School. Prior to joining USN, Moots taught seventh and eighth grade social studies and English at Bailey STEM Magnet Middle School and eighth grade U.S. history at John F. Kennedy Middle School, both in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Moots holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and art history from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a Master of Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Since 2016, Moots has served as the co-founder and executive director of NF Tennessee, a nonprofit organization to support individuals and families with neurofibromatosis.

Iloire Nye is the new Lower School math specialist. Nye joins USN after 12 years at The Town School in New York City. She began her studies at Syracuse University, earning a B.S. in inclusive elementary and special education and subsequently received her M.Ed. in leadership in mathematics from Bank Street College. While at Town, Nye wore multiple hats including homeroom teacher and math coach. In addition to jumping in to serve as a third grade teacher at the last minute in 2020-2021, Nye focused on improving mathematics teaching and learning in a variety of ways. Whether working alongside teachers, modeling instruction, or educating parents, Nye sees herself as a consultant rather than a coach. Her professional growth lies not only in the area of mathematics and education innovation, but also in anti-racist practices. Nye launched a group for white students to learn more about and lead anti-racist initiatives, and she led an examination of social studies curriculum using a social justice. Nye describes herself as a passionate advocate, an inspired educator, and a collaborative leader.

Sherrie Reltherford is the yearlong interim third grade teacher while Kyleen Shyer is on maternity leave. Reltherford holds a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction — elementary education from Tennessee State University and a Doctor of Education in leadership and professional practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. An experienced educator, Reltherford taught for over a decade in MNPS. Her extensive knowledge of best practices in the field of education coupled with her deep experience working with students have led to her serving in leadership and mentor roles throughout her career. As a master teacher, Reltherford has shepherded students as a teaching mentor at Vanderbilt, Trevecca, and Belmont Universities. With years of experience at Carter-Lawrence Elementary, just blocks east of USN, Reltherford developed strong relationships with USN faculty and staff through the Horizons program where she’s demonstrated her enduring commitment to the Nashville community and taught rising third graders this summer. Additionally, Reltherford served as the maternity leave long-term substitute in Nabilah Rahman’s second grade classroom last November through May.

Tasha Smith joins as the new first grade teacher. Smith comes to us from John Muir Elementary School in Cupertino, California, where she taught both first and second grades, and she was named teacher of the year in 2019. Prior to teaching at John Muir, Smith taught first grade at both Windmill Springs Elementary School in San Jose, California and Mary C. Dondero School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Dayton and a Master of Education in elementary education from the University of New Hampshire. An enthusiastic, proactive teacher, Smith recently taught PE classes to her own students during virtual learning when she realized that this vital component to her students’ days was missing.

A graduate of Brown University and Kenyon College, Sydnee Lindblom joins as the new seventh grade English teacher. Lindblom brings several years of middle school teaching experience, mostly from her years at the Orchard School in Indianapolis where she also served as English Department Co-Head. Former captain of Kenyon’s swim team, and still an avid runner and swimmer, Lindblom brings a love of fitness and competition, along with years of coaching, to USN and will help lead the MS cross country team this fall. We’re delighted to have Lindblom join seventh grade faculty, and extend congratulations on her upcoming September wedding.

Christine Park will be the new eighth grade English teacher and advisor. A graduate of Boston University, Park comes to USN from San Francisco where she taught at Town School for Boys for eight years, most recently in the role of head English teacher for seventh and eighth grade. Her approach is one where interdisciplinary teaching and learning are valued, and she brings to her classroom a commitment to multiple perspectives and voices, emphasizing her commitment to a diversity of authors.

Eric Rosenthal comes to USN as the new eighth grade math teacher from Boston where, most recently, he taught math at Buckingham Brown & Nichols and Cambridge Friends Schools. Teaching math to middle schoolers is a second professional life for Rosenthal; after earning his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and master’s degree from Harvard University, Rosenthal worked as a consultant in educational policy for years before receiving a master’s degree in middle school mathematics from Lesley University. Students will enjoy Rosenthal’s easygoing and personable nature, and will appreciate his emphasis on conceptual understanding.

Miranda Vargo joins USN’s performing arts faculty as the new Middle School/High School assistant band director. She brings with her an extensive background in ensemble performance and music education with music teaching experience at all levels K-12. Vargo, USN’s first female instructor in the band program, attended William Paterson University of New Jersey where she earned highest honors for her musicianship.

Allena Berry is the new High School history teacher. Berry holds a bachelor’s degree in history and human & organizational development from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in teaching history and social studies from Stanford University, and a doctorate in learning sciences from Northwestern University, where her dissertation focused on learning to construct whiteness in a high school history classroom. She served as a teaching assistant while at Northwestern and previously taught at The Prairie School and Rufus King International High School, both in Wisconsin. Berry is the recipient of several fellowships, awards, and honors including Northwestern’s Digital Humanities Research Grant and the Northwestern-Social Science Research Council Dissertation Proposal Development Fellowship.

Aaron Fulk joins USN as the incoming Director of College Counseling after five years as the Director of College Counseling & Institutional Research for Marin Academy in San Rafael, California. Among the highlights of his work at Marin Academy, Fulk designed measurement tools to assess the work of his office where, on average, 97% of seniors self-report being extremely or very satisfied with their enrolling college. Additionally, in a school-wide survey, 92% of juniors and seniors reported being satisfied with the college counseling office compared to 65% two years earlier; among parents, the same figures improved from 50% to 90%. Prior to Marin Academy, Fulk held Associate Director of College Counseling positions at Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia and St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California. He holds a master's degree in policy, organization, and leadership studies from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in English literature from Washington & Lee University.

Vitor Gonçalves is the new High School computer science & robotics teacher. Gonçalves holds a bachelor’s degree in pure mathematics and physics from Trevecca Nazarene University. His professional experience includes acting as a teaching assistant at Trevecca Nazarene, serving as a data science intern for the National Federation of Independent Business, and working as a research intern for Vanderbilt University’s Research Experience for High School Students program. Gonçalves is proficient in several computer programming languages and platforms including Python, C++, Verilog HDL, MATLAB, SQL, DAX, PowerBI Business Analytics, Linux OS (Debian), and Arduino software and hardware.

Susan Meador returns as the new part-time High School science teacher. Meador holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and chemistry from Transylvania University and a doctorate in chemistry from Vanderbilt University. She is a familiar face around the halls of 2000 Edgehill — she is the parent of two Tigers, Ruby Meador ’28 and Clementine Meador ’31, and acted as the long term substitute for Wilson Hubbell’s physics classes in the spring of 2020. Additionally, Meador has worked as a private chemistry tutor, as an education consultant, and a chemistry professor.

Miranda Russell is the new High School world languages teacher. Russell joins USN from Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep where she developed a comprehensive two-year curriculum for a New Language Acquisition course offering students the opportunity to choose between Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian and study their language with an emphasis on metacognitive strategies, collaborative and comparative analysis, and investigative approaches to culture and language acquisition. She has experience teaching lower school and middle school students, in addition to high school students, and is a Teach for America program alumna. Russell holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish; she has a master’s degree in Spanish literature and linguistics as well.

The new High School administrative assistant is Laura Snow. Snow joins USN from The Learning Lab where she held several roles including Assistant Head of School, English Instructor, and After School Tutor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Lambuth University and a master’s degree in English from Belmont University; her master’s thesis focused on travel and identity and was significantly informed by Snow’s time living abroad in Barcelona, Spain. While abroad, Snow studied contemporary culture, Catalan history, and travel writing; her scholarly work at the time took her beyond Spain to neighboring France and Italy, as well.

Cody Case is the new Middle School After School program coordinator. Case began his role in April 2021 and has already proven to be a dynamic addition to the After School team. Case comes to USN from the YWCA where he developed and managed healthy relationship programming in 23 Nashville area schools. Through his first decade of post-graduate work, Case served as a hospice and trauma chaplain where his sense of vocation was stamped by a singular question — what does it mean to live a good life? At USN, Case hopes to provide nurturance and resources for equity to students beginning their own lives of goodness. Although Case describes himself as often looking lost in his thoughts, he welcomes students, faculty, and staff to introduce themselves anytime.

Alumna Kat Trammell ’99 returns to the halls of 2000 Edgehill as the new school archivist. Trammell holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Macalester College and master’s degrees in public history and information science from Middle Tennessee State University and University of Tennessee, respectively. Trammell brings extensive experience in archival and preservation practices to USN having previously worked for The Junior League of Nashville, Tennessee State Library and Archives, and the Maury County Archives. Trammell further utilizes her passion for preserving history by teaching workshops and presenting on conservation techniques, and has received grants from the National Historical Publications & Records Commission and the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society to carry out past projects.

Kyle Turner ’15 returns to USN as the new Receptionist/Office Assistant manning reception at the Edgehill Lobby entrance. Turner is a graduate of The University of Alabama and holds a bachelor’s in human performance and exercise. He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and understanding of the USN student experience to the role as a young alumnus.

Natalie Busscher is the new athletics coordinator. Busscher holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Webster University and a master’s degree in sport administration from Belmont University. At Belmont, Busscher focused on leadership development, creating, planning, and implementing conferences and workshops focused on skills development for over 2,200 students. Busscher has acted as a mentor for both undergraduate and high school student-athletes in her previous roles within the Belmont Office of Leadership Development and as the head junior varsity and varsity basketball coach at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood. Dedicated to learning all aspects of athletic operations, Busscher held internships at Alliance Volleyball Club, KIPP Collegiate High School, and Special Olympics Tennessee, as well.

New PE Teacher & Head Boys’ Soccer Coach Earle Davidson joins USN after serving the past eight years in administrative roles at Nashville Soccer Club and Nashville Soccer United while managing various aspects of technical training for each team. Davidson is well connected in the Nashville soccer community having played collegiately at Vanderbilt University before advancing to play professionally. He returned to Vanderbilt to start his coaching career and then moved to Belmont University where he spent 17 seasons as the Head Coach. Davidson served as an assistant coach for USN’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams during the 2013-2014 school year, and the Athletics Department is excited to welcome him back.

Familiar face William Scott '09 takes on the role of Fitness Center Director having worked closely with USN athletics in the past as the Center's assistant director. In addition to his work in the Fitness Center, Scott is currently pursuing a degree in kinesiology from Maryville University.

Katie Roth ’15 is transitioning to the role of PE teacher having previously served for two years as a kindergarten teaching assistant. She is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South where she received honors in American studies and played on the women’s basketball team. Roth has acted as an instructor for USN summer camps for nine years, as well. Katie lives and breathes sports with a contagious and positive attitude and is passionate about access and inclusivity for all. She will be wearing several coaching hats this year at USN as a member of the awesome Physical Education faculty.

Ellen Crosby is changing roles, too — she will join the PE faculty after acting as the athletics coordinator in 2020-2021. Crosby will utilize her passion for swimming and coaching, primarily spending her time managing the pool and teaching swim classes. In addition to her coaching experience, Crosby worked with the Nashville Dolphins organization as program director and executive director previously. Her calm yet determined demeanor and positive support encourages students across all skill levels and will be invaluable in instilling confidence in the water among students. Crosby holds a bachelor’s from Lipscomb University with a focus on secondary education and German.

Derek Rayburn joins the Operations team as the new Mechanical Maintenance Technician. Rayburn has extensive experience in the maintenance industry and comes to USN after holding a similar position with Dickson County Board of Education.

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