Lower School welcomes new faculty

Assembled by Juanita I.C. Traughber, Director of Marketing & Communications

Kindergarten Teacher Megan Collins is in the Blue Door classroom. She earned a B.F.A. in Art History and an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida. She is a familiar face in Lower School, as she previously served as the maternity leave substitute in Blue Door for previous Kindergarten Teacher Lynn Welliver. Mrs. Collins joins USN most recently from Episcopal School of Nashville, where she taught first grade. Prior to moving to Nashville, she was a kindergarten teacher and team leader at the Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, California for eight years. She enjoys painting and swimming and loves to go on hikes with her husband Joseph and their 3-year-old daughter Hazel. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany and as the daughter of an Army Ranger she traveled all over the country during his time in service.

First Grade Teacher Beth Terwilliger holds a B.S. and an M.Ed. from Middle Tennessee State University. Mrs. Terwilliger has also obtained a Reading Specialist endorsement. She brings over 10 years of teaching experience to her role, having taught kindergarten, first, and second grades, as well as having served as a reading specialist. Beth and her husband have three wonderful children and a goldendoodle, Maple. They recently returned to Nashville after living out of state for several years. 

Third Grade Teacher Ansley Adams earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies K-5 from Middle Tennessee State University. She comes to USN having spent the past five years in  Rutherford County Schools, where she taught third and fourth grades. Ms. Adams is passionate about taking a variety of fitness classes such as yoga and pilates, drinking coffee, taking care of her house plants, and listening to live music. She was born in Nashville and grew up in Murfreesboro. 

Third Grade Teacher Ellie Blue earned her B.A. from Denison University and her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University. She previously taught second and third grades at the Windward School in New York City. Ellie enjoys reading, traveling, and playing volleyball. 

Fourth Grade Teacher Jessica Rosenthal earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from University of Illinois and went on to earn her English as a Second Language certification at National Louis University. Bringing over 13 years of teaching experience, she has taught in Franklin, Tennessee and Arlington Heights, Illinois. Ms. Rosenthal has a 9-year-old dog named Lilah and enjoys exploring new places, hiking, trying new restaurants, and baking. She is originally from the Chicago area and has lived in Nashville for nine years. 

Announced in the spring, Kristian Noden is Head of Lower School. This summer, he completed his Doctor of Education degree across the street at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. He also holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Business School. He has earned a Master of Education and a Master of Teaching from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Management from Victoria University. Dr. Noden comes to USN from The Ensworth School, where he served as Interim Head of Lower School after beginning his tenure as the Associate Head of Lower School. His career in education has primarily been with students in the K-5 space, and he has also worked with high school students as a Head Varsity Track and Field Coach and as Resident Faculty in a boarding program. He previously was the Associate Director of the Lower School at San Domenico School in California for four years. Dr. Noden’s career in education began in Melbourne, Australia, where he taught in public schools and worked with elementary students. 

Kyleen Shyer has transitioned from teaching third grade to joining the fourth grade team. Mrs. Shyer joined USN in 2015 and is the Bovender Faculty Chair recipient. Prior to coming to USN, she earned her B.S. at The College of St. Rose and her M.S. in Literacy Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She taught at Liberty Elementary School in New York and The Lovett School in Atlanta. She and her husband Jon are the proud parents of rising kindergartener Hudson ’37 and daughter Delaney.