New classroom teachers join LS

Join us in welcoming First Grade Teacher Kim Brochocki, First Grade Teacher Leanne Turner, Second Grade Teacher Ashley Jones, Second Grade Teacher Caleb Franklin, and Lower School Music Teacher Nancy Bieschke.
First Grade Teacher Kim Brochocki is a Nashville native and a graduate of Hume Fogg High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Miami University of Ohio. She went on to earn her Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from University of the Cumberlands. An experienced teacher, Brochocki has taught both first and third grades in Rutherford County schools. She is a collaborator who believes that teachers and students have to build trust to further authentic learning experiences.

Leanne Turner, who also hails from Nashville, is a First Grade Teacher. A graduate of Baylor University with a BFA, she then earned her M.Ed. from Belmont University. Leanne put down roots for 21 years on the west coast at The Westland School in Los Angeles, steeped in a progressive tradition. She taught in multi-age classrooms that were experiential and project-based, with community building as the core component. Student interest, participation and inquiry are important to Leanne, and she describes herself as a collaborator with others to facilitate learning with her students. 

Ashley Jones comes to USN as a Second Grade Teacher from just across town at Harding Academy. Ashley earned her BLA and M.Ed. from MTSU and has teaching experience from preschool to second grade over the last 23 years. Serving in schools that send students to USN each year, she gained a familiarity with our emphasis on the social and emotional development of children and young people. Her priorities around creating a learning environment for students that promotes inclusion, justice, and equity align well with those espoused here. She says her class is humming with energy when students are leading their learning.

Caleb Franklin is now a Second Grade Teacher after already having been a well-known and loved member of Lower School already, having spent time in a variety of roles as a TA in 2nd and 3rd grades and Horizons. Caleb earned a BA in English and an MA at MTSU. Mr. Franklin has a gift for seeing each student and forging an authentic connection with them. He has deep respect for young learners and quickly gains their trust. His easy-going style and gentle sense of humor are hallmarks of his relationship-building with students and adults. We feel fortunate that he has chosen to make USN his teaching home. 

Nancy Bieschke is our new Lower School Music Teacher. With big shoes to fill, we knew that we needed to find just the right person to move into the music room, and we did. Nancy is a member of the Class of 1995 and has experience in public schools in Chicago, Lebanon, and Nashville. She earned a BA in Music Theory and History at Carleton College, a master's degree in music at VanderCook College of Music, and most recently, an MLS from University of Illinois. She sees the opportunity to be the next music teacher in Lower School as a chance to forge together new ideas and opportunities while respecting the past. She sees making music as a way to bring people together to collaborate and celebrate. 

Betsy Hoffman has moved from the second grade classroom to the Art Studio to take over the reins of that program area for Lower School. Betsy has deep experience at USN as a member of the Class of 1983,  a parent of alumni, and a teacher in our classrooms since 2004. Her interest in project-based learning and co-creating projects will be evident in her teaching. Congratulate Betsy on making this move. 

Another shift in the building takes Debbie Roth from the first grade classroom to the role of Lower School Literacy Specialist. Over the past few years, Debbie has engaged in a process to become certified in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Adding those areas of expertise in evaluating and supporting student literacy to her already deep knowledge of early learners make Debbie a significant addition to the LS Student Support Team. 

Aviva Wasserman has moved to a part-time position as Assessment Manager and will assist the LS Student Support team and classroom teachers in gathering and analyzing assessment data to gain understanding of a student's learning profile. Aviva's long-time work in the areas of literacy development and educational assessment development make her uniquely qualified to do this work. 

Meet new Middle School faculty here. Meet new High School faculty here. Meet new administrators and staff here.
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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.
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  • 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.
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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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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

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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.