Emily Leake - ​Kindergarten A
Emily graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Early Childhood Education and spent several years in the public school system teaching kindergarten, first grade, and working as a reading intervention coordinator. Teaching has always been her passion, and she was thrilled to find Veritas when her family moved to Nashville in 2018. This will be her 5th year teaching kindergarten at Veritas.  When she isn't teaching, Emily enjoys spending time with her family (husband Brad, and children Carson, Stephen, and Avery), reading, gardening, and staying involved in the children's ministry at church. 
Jenessa Bruce - ​Kindergarten B
Jenessa completed her Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from Florida State College at Jacksonville in 2015. She taught 3rd grade and kindergarten at the Department of Defense Elementary School in Rota, Spain. Now she homeschools her two oldest children with a toddler and baby in tow. Jenessa began studying the classical model of education more in-depth last year with a graduate course through South Eastern University in partnership with Classical Conversations. She prioritizes outdoor time, rich vocabulary, and hands on learning to support children’s inquisitive nature and foster intrinsic motivation and a love of learning. She and her husband, Mike, moved to this area from East Tennessee last May. Together with their four children, Jacqueline, Michael, Alexander, and Matthew, they love to travel, hike, and go to the beach. Camping, sourdough baking and gardening are new endeavors this year!
Hallie Lane - First Grade Humanities, Saxon Math 3
Hallie Lane has called Nolensville, Tennessee home since the fall of 2018 after moving here from Little Rock, Arkansas. Prior to living there, she and her family lived in South Carolina where she was blessed to meet her husband, Jeremy, and her two boys were born. With an undergraduate degree in German and International Studies and an MBA from the University of South Carolina, Hallie worked in the both the public and private sectors before resigning from her last position as a certified internal auditor to honor God's calling for her to be a full-time wife and mother. Since this time, she has homeschooled her boys in three states, tutored in Classical Conversations, and served as the director of her church’s children’s ministry. Hallie loves learning, travel, exploring, and growing in knowledge of God and His Word. Finding Him in the big and small, in science, in math, in the arts, in language, in all things is thrilling; being able to do these alongside her boys, who are a rising freshman and seventh grader at Veritas, has been a joy and privilege. She is honored to be a part of the Veritas Nashville family and is eager to encourage both students and families alike in their learning adventures.
 Rebekah Baker - ​Second Grade Humanities 
Rebekah graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005 with a degree in Elementary Education. Once in the classroom, she quickly discovered the joy that is found in helping children grow in wisdom and knowledge.  She sees teaching as not only growing the mind but also growing the heart to love and follow Jesus. She has taught in both public and private schools, homeschooled for several years, and is looking forward to her sixth year teaching at Veritas. Rebekah is married to her high school sweetheart, Benji, and they have three children Caroline, Anna Laura, and Reid. 
Sommer Whisnant - Third Grade Humanities
Sommer attended the University of South Carolina, received a degree in Psychology and later went on to receive a Masters of Social Work.  Sommer started her career at the Department of Social Services with foster children, followed by a career in mental health for children and adolescents.  She worked closely with young children through Head Start and elementary schools, and has spent significant time in specialized reading development.  Sommer is married to Brian and is mom to Jack, Hadley and Caroline.  They attend the Village Church in Nolensville and stay very busy with the children’s activities and events in the community. ​
Nicole Richardson - Fourth Grade Humanities
​After graduating from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, Nicole worked as a development evaluator and parent advisor in the Early Intervention Program for the Department of Education. She has also worked as an educational assistant and a preschool teacher in Murfreesboro City Schools.  Nicole is an IEW Accredited Instructor and has been at Veritas for the last four years. Together with her husband Jason and daughter Sarah, she attends World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro.  Their family enjoys outdoor activities, especially camping and spending time on the lake.
​Holly Balko- First & Second Grade Science
Holly lives with her husband in Nolensville, Tennessee.  She attends Church of Nolensville and loves spending time in Children’s Ministry.   Holly taught elementary school and science in California for many years. Even though she has only lived in Tennessee for a short time, she feels at home here. Teaching her whole adult life has been much more of a passion than a job. To her, the very best part of teaching is making learning fun and bringing laughter into the classroom.  Holly is looking forward to working with the first and second graders and bringing science to life!
Rachel Boyd - ​Third & Fourth Grade Science, Fifth & Sixth Grade Science
Rachel graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida.  After teaching third and fourth grade in the public schools, Rachel took a break from teaching to raise her three boys, Drew, Josh and Jake.  During that time she tutored a variety of subjects both private and for the school system, as well as performed homeschool evaluations in Florida.  After almost 18 years outside of a classroom, Rachel returned to teaching last year at Heart Christian Academy in Columbia, teaching seventh grade math and science.  Rachel is married to Paul, who pastors Redeemer Church Murfreesboro, and she loves anything outdoors, especially hiking, camping, kayaking, and gardening. 
Heidi Davidhizar - ​Saxon 1
Heidi attended Youngstown State University in Ohio, majoring in Physical and Health Education for 2 years before enlisting in the United States Air Force.  She served as a linguist in the Air Force for 4 years and following her enlistment attended McDaniel College in Maryland where she received a degree in Social Work.  She later attended the University of Southern California and received a Masters of Social Work.  Her career has included work in mental health for adults, children, adolescents, and families as well as substance abuse recovery with adults.  Heidi and her husband Brian, along with their three boys Ezra, Asher, and Roman, attend the Church at West Franklin.  
Rachel Wyncoop - ​Saxon 2
Rachel Wyncoop graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. She then went on to receive her bilingual teaching credential (BCLAD) from California State University in Fullerton, California. She has homeschooled her two children for the past four years and previously worked at a homeschool tutorial teaching Spanish to elementary, junior high and high school students. Before that, she taught 1st-6th graders in the public school system for 11 years. She has been married for almost 25 years. Some of her passions include riding horses, baking yummy desserts and enjoying the Spanish language and culture whenever possible. 
Crystal Webb - ​Elementary Art, Saxon 5/4
Crystal graduated from MTSU with a B.S. in Psychology. After working in sales and management for 13 years, God called her to homeschool her children. She has homeschooled her two children, Riley Jo and Brady, for the past seven years and loves it. She is blessed with a supportive husband, Jonathan, and they attend World Outreach Church. They love to travel, spend time in nature and play games as a family. Crystal loves to garden and read in her free time. Math was one of her favorite subjects in school and she enjoys sharing that love with her math students at Veritas.
Becca Smidt - ​Spanish
Bekah graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a B.S. in Spanish Education and Communication Studies.  Her love of language and culture began as a young girl when she lived in Brazil for four years, and grew as she spent a college semester in Latin America.  After graduation, her husband, Ben, was offered a job overseas and they lived for almost three years in Brussels, Belgium.  Bekah has taught Spanish in various immersive settings from birth to high school  Bekah, her husband, Ben, and their children (Isaiah, Brooklyn, Joseph, and Noelle) enjoy visiting new places, playing board games, and reading together.