DIRECTOR - DENISE BURGESS
HUMANITIES TEACHERS
KINDERGARTEN - EMILY LEAKE
Emily attended the University of South Carolina and received a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has teaching experience in kindergarten and first grade, and spent two years as a reading intervention specialist focusing specifically on early literacy development in grades K-2. Emily is married to Brad, and they have twin boys who love attending Veritas. They are very active in their church, where Brad serves on staff and Emily teaches Sunday School. Weekend activities usually include playing outside, exploring Nashville, and hanging out with family and friends.
FIRST GRADE - TAMMY ARTHUR
After graduating from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana with an Elementary Education degree, Tammy taught second grade for three years in a Christian School. After having children, she went back to teach in public school as a first grade teacher for nine years, followed by three years as a reading/phonics specialist for kindergarten through fifth grade. She has also enjoyed teaching Bible classes in the public school and looks forward to sharing her love for Jesus with the children she will teach at Veritas. In 2018 she and her husband, Steve, moved from their hometown in Indiana to Nolensville to be near their three children and four grandbabies. Her hobbies include singing, hiking, skiing, and natural health.
SECOND GRADE - REBEKAH BAKER
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 and has spent the last 7 years homeschooling. Rebekah is married to her high school sweetheart, Benji, and they have three children Caroline, Anna Laura, and Reid.
THIRD GRADE - RACHEL LYLES
Rachel earned her B.A. in English Literature from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. A native of Brentwood, Tennessee, Rachel thought she’d move home after graduating from college. Over 20 years later, she finally returned with a husband and two kids in tow! Rachel has trained a wide range of age groups in both the industries of business and fitness, as well as in past volunteer work. She has a passion for teaching and is ecstatic to serve families at Veritas. Rachel is married to Matt and is mom to students Allen and Thomas.
FOURTH GRADE - NICOLE RICHARDSON
After graduating from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, Nicole worked as a parent advisor in the Early Intervention Program. She has also worked as an educational assistant in Murfreesboro City Schools and as a pre-school teacher. Nicole is presently homeschooling her daughter who is starting high school. Together with her husband Jason, she attends World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro. Their family enjoys outdoor activities, especially camping and spending time on the lake.
FIFTH/SIXTH GRADE - DENISE BURGESS
After eighteen years of homeschooling, Denise's children have all finished high school. Before Denise started her family, she taught in public school for eight years and private school in Medellin, Colombia for two years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and a Master of Education from Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego, California. Recently Denise taught for four years at the Veritas Classical School in Chattanooga. She loves all things teaching and learning. She reads books about how to make teaching more effective and recently took a class called "Learning how to Learn." It is her desire to come alongside the next generation of homeschoolers, to encourage and assist them in the challenging and rewarding task of homeschooling.
SEVENTH/EIGHTH GRADE: ELA - REBECCA MCKISIC
Mrs. Becca McKisic has a BA in English from Bob Jones University. She has over ten years of experience teaching children of many ages in church and Bible study programs. She is passionate about encouraging the love of reading in others. As a homeschool mom and also a former homeschool student herself, she is excited to have the opportunity to teach the next generation of homeschoolers. Becca and her husband, Steve, have a daughter, Gabby, who attends Veritas. They are all book lovers! Becca enjoys reading, walking in God’s creation, and playing games with her family.
SEVENTH/EIGHTH GRADE: HISTORY, BIBLE, LOGIC - WAYNE WILSON
Mr. Wayne Wilson was born in Murfreesboro and grew up in the Lascassas area. He has lived in Murfreesboro for the past 20 years. Mr. W received his B.S. in Social Sciences with an emphasis in history at MTSU. After teaching for 36 years in public schools in Rutherford and Williamson counties, Mr. W. recently retired in May of 2021. Mr. W is married and has four sons and six grandchildren. He is looking forward to sharing his love of history with Veritas students.
ELECTIVES TEACHERS
1ST/2ND GRADE SCIENCE & ELEMENTARY ART - EMILY LEAKE
3RD GRADE SCIENCE & MATH 3 - REBEKAH BAKER
4TH GRADE SCIENCE & MATH 1 - NICOLE RICHARDSON
5TH/6TH GRADE SCIENCE & MATH 6/5 - DENISE BURGESS
7TH/8TH GRADE SCIENCE & MATH 7/8 - RACHEL LYLES
MATH 5/4 - CRYSTAL WEBB
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 5 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 looks forward to sharing that love with her math students at Veritas.
1ST-8TH GRADE SPANISH - BEKAH SMIDT
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 but has most recently completed a homeschool year teaching her four children in grades 5, 3, 1, and preschool. Ben, Bekah and children- Isaiah, Brooklyn, Joseph, and Noelle- enjoy visiting new places, playing board games, and reading together.