New faces join USN hallways, offices
Staff joining USN for the 2025-2026 academic year are K-12 Director of Experiential Learning Kalee Barbis, Head Basketball Coach and PE Teacher Gregory Eubanks, Library Assistant Sydney Shansey, and Health Room Aide William Ward. Meet new faculty through the division publications on Friday, August 8.
Compiled by the Administrative Team
Serving in the newly created role of K-12 Director of Experiential Learning, Kalee Barbis brings her experience and expertise to deepen the connections between classroom learning and the world beyond USN by providing students with hands-on, authentic learning experiences that are imbued with an ethic of inclusion and community engagement through the core academic program of the school. She will provide leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, implementation, development, direction, review, and evaluation of global experiences, community engagement, and curricular partnerships. Barbis is an experienced educational leader with 16 years in the field, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in adolescent health from the University of Tennessee, Master of Public Policy from Vanderbilt University, and Master of Education from Lipscomb University. She has a deep focus on community and student-centered education, with a passion for creating real-world learning experiences that leave lasting impacts. Throughout her career, Barbis has worked to foster cross-divisional collaboration, creating cohesive, project-based learning pathways that engage students at every grade level. Her work spans both startup and established school environments, including launching Templeton Academy's Nashville location as the Head of School and Explore! Community School, where she led the development of honors programs, aligned K-8 experiential curriculum, and integrated standards-based PBL.
Gregory Eubanks is a PE Teacher and the Head Basketball Coach. He is a native Nashvillian and attended Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University kindergarten through college. Eubanks played basketball in college for the Bisons and said his teammates are lifelong friends. After coaching men's basketball for three years at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, he was in business to business sales of printing products for 15 years. Eubanks returned to the court at The Ensworth School in 2010, was part of four state championship teams, and coached two Mr. Basketball winners in nine seasons. He joins USN following six years at Middle Tennessee Christian School in Murfreesboro and Harding Academy in Memphis. His wife, Amy, is also a Nashville native, and their three adult children live in Birmingham and Chicago.
Sydney Shansey joins the Hassenfeld Library as the Library Assistant. Shansey grew up on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, just across from St. Louis, Missouri. She originally made a home in Nashville while attending Belmont University studying commercial music but has since travelled across the Pacific Ocean, pursuing a master’s in Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai’i and volunteering as a teacher in the Federated States of Micronesia. She said she is happy to be back in Nashville, pursuing her newfound passion for education and investing in the local community.
Relocating from Houston, Texas, Health Room Aide William Ward brings valuable experience from his time in a pediatric hospital setting. Ward received his National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification from Houston Community College. When he's not at USN, he works as an Emergency Medical Technician, continuing to serve the broader community. Ward began this summer as a Health Aide, supporting our Summer Camps at the River Campus. Serving as an extension of USN’s Health Room, he provided assistance with minor first aid and day-to-day care for campers. He will continue supporting the Health Room and nurses as an aide during the school year.
Among recent promotions, Ben Cates is now Director of Technology and Lindsay Barrera is now Facilities Manager.
Meet new faculty through the division publications on Friday, August 8.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Evening Classes Fall Mini Series launches October 7
Get ready to dive into culinary fun, holiday festivity, and meet wonderful people for the USNA Evening Classes fall mini-series. The Evening Classes team is planning to make the most of these upcoming crisp autumn evenings.Read More -
Preview USN on November 15
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.Read More -
Faculty members present at national conference
Director of Enrollment Scott Collins and Director of College Counseling Aaron Fulk traveled to Austin, Texas, to present at the Enrollment Management Association’s Annual Conference.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.