USNA Volunteer Spotlight: Jessie Adams

Get to know the 2022-2023 Annual Fund Chair Co-Chair Jessie Adams through a question and answer session with Volunteer Coordinator Helen Jahangir.
Q: What are the names of your children?
A: Caldwell '31 and Harding '34

 Q: How many years have you been involved at USN? 
A: This is our fourth year volunteering with the Annual Fund. 

Q: How are you/have you been involved at USN?
A: This year, [my husband] Brian and I are chairing the Annual Fund. We've worked on that in different capacities for the past few years, and I am also a room parent. Probably the best gig, though, is doing the Treat Walk at Fall Fest. Apologies to all the unfortunate parents who've had to take home entire large cakes as a result ... but the kids just think it is wildly delightful.  

Q: Why do you do it?
A: I think that volunteering for the school — in any form — lets you really get to know the school. You get a sense of what it's like on the inside, who the leaders are, and how the mission is carried out. It also shows the kids — ours, but really all the students — that we’re interested in them, and we care about them. It shows them that we consider their school, and education more broadly, to be a cause worth our time and attention. Finally, it sets the example in our family that we should use our skills and resources to serve our community.

Q: Would you do it again? Why?
A:  Of course! Until the kids tell me it's no longer cool to have their mom hanging around the school.

 Q: Words of wisdom? Piece of advice?
 A: Be kind to teachers. They are doing good, hard work and care so deeply about their students and their profession. The past few years have been an extraordinarily difficult time to be an educator, and we owe them so much more as a society. 

 Q: What would you like to see change? Stay the same? 
 A: I think this is exactly the challenge schools are facing in this moment. How do we stay true to who we are, and hold on to the essence of what makes USN what it is, while also pushing forward in bold and innovative ways? I think we, as a school, are sitting in a unique moment, and I hope we capture that and use it as the opportunity it is. 

Q: What do you love most about USN? 
A: We’re all fortunate to have so many solid educational options in Nashville. For our family, I think it is the intangibles — the parent community, the professional networks, the dedication of the teachers and leadership, the opportunity to interact with children and families that are different from ours — there’s a richness there. It’s the real deal, and we’re grateful every day.

Q: What else do you have going on in your life outside of co-chairing Annual Fund?
A: Between work, kids' activities, two dogs, and eight chickens, not much. We enjoy going to Predators games, hanging out with family and friends, and discovering all the cool new places to go in Nashville. I grew up here, but it's changing so impossibly fast.

If you would like to learn more about the Annual Fund, click here. 
Back

School News

List of 3 news stories.

  • 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.
    Read More

  • Get crafty with USN Evening Classes

    There are a variety of USN Evening Classes available this fall to help you create special gifts for yourself and others. These one-night classes are open to the Nashville community and benefit University School of Nashville's need-based scholarship endowment.
    Read More

  • 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.
    Read More
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.
    Read More

  • 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.
    Read More

  • 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.
    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

Resources

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.