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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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.