New Teachers and Staff

Jillian Blamer
Front Office TA

Jillian loves how students always think outside the box—actually, they refuse to be contained by boxes at all! She brings that same imaginative spark to her hobbies, whether she’s scuba diving with sharks, embroidering something new, or diving into a board game campaign as an Aasimar Cleric haunted by a ghostly archaeopteryx. She’ll belt out Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” at karaoke and never turns down a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. She’s a loyal Texas A&M Aggies fan—just don’t hold it against her here in Vols country!

Monet Brawley
Preschool Teacher

Monet finds daily inspiration in her students’ humility, love for people, and sense of wonder. She spent 20 years exploring the beauty of Oregon before settling in Tennessee, where she enjoys walking the greenway and running half marathons.  Her favorite ice cream is Neapolitan. If she could enroll in school all over again, you’d find her aboard the Magic School Bus—curious, adventurous, and ready to learn something new every day.

Ashley Kamp
Business & Marketing, Psychology, DECA Advisor, and 8th Grade Intro Business Teacher

Ashley loves how students show up as their true selves and form real connections. She brings that same authenticity to her legendary road trips, complete with playlists, boiled peanuts, and back-road diners. When it’s time for karaoke, she sings “Brand New Key.” Her top ice cream picks? Lavender-honey, coffee, or cookie dough. She proudly supports any team her kids play on.

Austin Lea
High School Electives Teacher (Film, Photo, Yearbook)

Austin feels honored to play a part in his students’ creative journeys. He keeps his competitive edge sharp by playing in two adult soccer leagues each week. He’s also survived an F5 tornado and met Vanilla Ice. His daughter chooses the music on the ride home—usually Taylor Swift. Austin loves mint Oreo ice cream and believes the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team will win the World Cup one day.

Meredith Love
Room Parent Coordinator

Meredith loves watching kids express their creativity—she’s constantly amazed by the fresh ideas they bring to the table. She surrounds herself with plants at home and throws herself into interior design projects. She enjoys nothing more than traveling the world with her family, and she’ll never say no to ube ice cream. Ask her what team she cheers for, and you’ll get an enthusiastic, “Go Vols!” Oh—and don’t challenge her to karaoke unless you’re ready for some 90s rap.

Heather Mekelburg
Lower School Art Teacher (PreK–3rd)

Heather thrives on her students’ bold, uninhibited creativity in the art room. She explores nature by collecting national park stamps and cool rocks, and she has heterochromia—her eyes are two different colors! As a true Ravenclaw, she’s clever and curious. Her go-to karaoke songs include “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Ice Ice Baby,” and she roots for the Denver Broncos while snacking on peanut butter and banana ice cream.

Ali Metcalf
Lower School Nurse

Mina Oldham (Señora Mina)
Upper School Spanish Teacher

Señora Mina draws energy from her students’ curiosity and wonder. She stays active with yoga, hiking, swimming, and tennis—she calls Novak Djokovic the GOAT. A fun fact? She can do the worm! She prefers Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream and would definitely enroll at Hogwarts if she could.

Lelah Selby
High School Chemistry

Lelah lights up when students experience joy—pure, unfiltered, and unafraid. She brings that same joy into her own life as a certified Master Gardener who loves dissecting flowers and making time for a Disneyland trip or two. If she could, she’d be a proud cadet of Starfleet Academy. Lelah is a fan of the Smokies, and she’ll sing “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” any day of the week. When it’s time for a treat, she goes straight for deep, dark double-chunky chocolate brownie ice cream.

Maddie Robertson
Kindergarten TA & K–5 STEM Teacher

Maddie loves how children keep trying, even when things feel hard. Their persistence motivates her to stay patient and celebrate every step of growth. In her downtime, she unwinds by watching YouTube videos of people playing games she’ll never play—she finds it oddly relaxing. A proud Hufflepuff, Maddie cheers for the Braves and the Vols, and never turns down chocolate ice cream.

Megan Wade
1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Megan lights up when students share their spontaneous ideas and show their individuality. She started out studying music performance and still plays the violin. These days, she also travels and films weddings with her husband. Megan belts out “Don’t Stop Believin'” at karaoke, cheers for the UT Vols, and always goes for mint chocolate chip ice cream.