Meet Lower School's new faculty

Join us in welcoming LS Learning Specialist Caitlyn Tisch and Red Door Kindergarten Teacher Jennifer Lefkovitz.
Caitlyn Tisch joins USN after spending time in the Chicago area where she worked for 10 years as a special education teacher. While attending Indiana University and earning her bachelor's in elementary education, Tisch competed on IU's swim team also. She holds a master's in special education and a certification in autism spectrum disorders. As the new LS Learning Specialist, Tisch will be an invaluable member of the division's student support team. 
 
Jennifer Lefkovitz joins the kindergarten team in the Red Door classroom. Lefkovitz holds a bachelor's in elementary education from Indiana University as well. She has a master's of education as a reading specialist and additional hours studying educational practice. Lefkovitz brings 16 years of teaching experience in first grade to the West Wing and looks forward to welcoming the Class of 2035. 

In addition to new full-time faculty, the Lower School will be supported by a few long-term substitutes due to extended leave. 

In the Blue Door classroom, we are happy to share that Megan Collins is joining the kindergarten team in late November when lead teacher Lynn Welliver begins her maternity leave. Collins will join Blue Door before Welliver departs to ensure a smooth transition. Prior to moving to Nashville, Collins was a kindergarten teacher and team leader at the Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, California for eight years. She earned a B.F.A. in art history and an M.A. in teaching elementary education from the University of South Florida. Collins enjoys painting and swimming, and loves to go on hikes with her husband Joseph and their 9-month-old daughter Hazel. 
 
In second grade, we are delighted to welcome Molly Darr '92 back to Lower School as the maternity leave substitute for Megan Peterson. Darr will be with the class for the first half of the school year. A skilled and experienced teacher, she has taught for a total of 25 years, 17 of those years being in second grade at USN. Prior to joining the faculty at USN, Darr was a special education teacher in a variety of settings, having received her bachelor's in special education and her teacher certification from Middle Tennessee State University. Interestingly, Darr came to USN as a second-grader herself when her mother, Doni Princehorn, became the Lower School Music Teacher. She and her husband Brad have two teenage children, Hannah and Carson '25. Darr’s hobbies include spending time with her senior dog Charlie Newman, volunteer work with dogs at the Williamson County animal shelter, travel baseball, and gardening. She is thrilled to be back in her "home" of second grade. 

Get to know other new faces at USN: Meet new Middle School faculty here. Meet new High School faculty here. Meet the new Counseling Office here. Meet new administrators and staff here.
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School News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Stokes earns Excellence in Auxiliary Award

    Director of Auxiliary Services Rebecca Stokes was given the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative’s award for her work including students in the selection of a new playground, transitioning the school bookstore, refining registration systems and processes for summer camps & enrichment activities, and expanding the school’s cultural and holiday celebrations to be inclusive of USN’s diverse student body.
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  • Preview USN on November 14

    University School of Nashville welcomes prospective families to tour the Edgehill Campus, speak with students, faculty, and administrators, and learn about our K-12 school's academic, athletic, and arts offerings. Sessions will take place at 9:30 a.m. for Middle & High Schools and 1 p.m. for Lower School. Let us know you are coming at  usn.org/preview.
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  • Secure your tickets to Artclectic Patrons Party today

    For more than 30 years, Artclectic has been one of Nashville's premier juried art shows, welcoming nationally recognized artists and visitors from across the city to USN's Sperling Gym turned art gallery. The weekend features exceptional artwork, artist demonstrations, student experiences, family activities, and special events that celebrate creativity, with proceeds benefiting USN. Purchase your tickets today.
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Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
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  • MS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Middle School volleyball and tennis teams are nearing the final games of their seasons, with the competition heating up while the Tigers play to determine their HVAC rankings. Cross country was finally able to race at the River Campus despite the heat, and our mountain biking team traveled to Oakfield, Tennessee, for a high-temperature race weekend.
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  • MTB Race #2 Report - Rockabilly Ridge Trails, Oakfield, TN

    Steve Smail
    The MTB team returned to the the twisty trails of tranquil Oakfield, TN on Sept 13th to take part in the second race of the season, as part of the 5-race series hosted by the NICA/TICL League.
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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.