“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle

6th Grade Team

Rashun Bates, 6th Math

Bio

6th Grade Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Bates (rbates@strivecollegiate.org)

Micah Turner, 6th Social Studies

Bio

6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Turner (mturner@strivecollegiate.org)

Kendall Johnson, 6th Science

Bio

6th Grade Science Teacher

Mr. Johnson (kjohnson@strivecollegiate.org)

Kya Jones, 6th ELA

Bio

6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Jones (kjones@strivecollegiate.org)

7th Grade Team

Ellen Ransley 7th Science

Bio

7th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Ransley (eransley@strivecollegiate.org)

Sara Farmer, 7th English Language Arts

Bio

Ms. Farmer (athorpe@strivecollegiate.org) was born and raised in Middle Tennessee with her parents and three brothers. Farmer received her Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. During her years at MTSU, Farmer worked as a tutor for the college and a substitute teacher. Upon graduation, she joined the STRIVE team in January 2021. She is so excited to join this team as a 6th grade Paraprofessional! Outside of STRIVE, Ms. Farmer enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog (Scooby), catching up on the latest novel, and spending time with friends.

Joshua Sulkin, 7th Social Studies

Bio

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Sulkin (jsulkin@strivecollegiate.org)

8th Grade Team

Ryan Cluff, 8th Social Studies

Bio

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Cluff (rcluff@strivecollegiate.org) received his BA in History from Middle Tennessee State University in 2019. Born in Gainesville, FL, but raised out west in Utah, Ryan is a Tennessee transplant and has been living in and serving his greater Nashville community since 2016. Between 2013 and 2015, he spent time overseas doing volunteer work which included developing curricula for free community education classes, like the Conversational English course he helped to create and implement in Ukraine. Ryan joined STRIVE in 2020 to serve as the Literacy Interventionist and is currently the 8th Grade Social Studies teacher. He is committed to helping his students gain context for the world around them and improve in their abilities to express themselves clearly, as well as establish the critical thinking skills necessary to move through life with the ability to receive information and determine its credibility.

Katy Bridgforth, 8th ELA

Bio

6th Grade Social Studies Teacher 

Ms. Bridgforth (kbridgforth@strivecollegiate.org)

Support Team

Dante Basham, Paraprofessional

Bio

Paraprofessional

Mr. Basham (dbasham@strivecollegiate.org)

Emily Sika, EL Teacher

Bio

EL Teacher

Ms. Sika (esika@strivecollegiate.org)

Brittany Lamon, Exceptional Ed Teacher

Bio

Exceptional Education Teacher

Ms. Lamon (blamon@strivecollegiate.org)

Related Arts Team

Terrell Horton, Culture Coordinator and Athletic Director

Bio

Culture Coordinator

Mr. Horton (thorton@strivecollegiate.org)

Debra McMillan, Culture Coordinator

Bio

Lower School Physical Education Teacher

Coach McMillan (dmcmillan@strivecollegiate.org) earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee State University. She started her teaching career in 1995 for Metro Nashville Public Schools and taught in MNPS for 19 years. She also coached girls track and basketball and won numerous championships. After spending 4 years to travel with her son while he played football at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, she returned to education and became a P. E. Teacher/ OP Personal and girls basketball and track coach. Ms. McMillan's passion for teaching and mentoring students is the reason she came out of retirement, to do what she loves best--to make a difference in the lives of all students. When she is not teaching or coaching, you will find her hanging out with her 3 sons and 5 grandchildren, and just having fun. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Alpha Psi Chapter.

Content Leads

Will Haynes, Science Content Lead

Bio

Science Content Lead & 8th Science Honors Teacher

Mr. Haynes (whaynes@strivecollegiate.org) is from Dothan, AL and received both a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Master’s of Education in Secondary Science from Auburn University. Haynes’ graduate research was done as a NanoBio Fellow under the NSF funded Math and Science Partnership. In collaboration with Tuskegee University, Haynes worked with Education, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering faculty to build middle school sciences lessons on nanobiology technology for schools in the Alabama Black Belt region. Before arriving at STRIVE, Haynes taught, counseled and led trainees from 4th grade to adults at U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. Space Camp allowed Haynes to gain valuable experience working with students of all ages from over 10 countries and countless states. Now in his second year at STRIVE, he is eager to push our students to explore and discover science in new ways each day.

Sarah Ellison, Math Content Lead and 7th grade Math

Bio

Math Content Lead & 8th Grade Algebra I Teacher

Ms. Ellison (sellison@strivecollegiate.org) holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Mathematics from Texas A&M University, located in College Station, Texas. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching with a concentration in Secondary Mathematics from Relay Graduate School of Education, located in Nashville, Tennessee. While earning her Bachelor degree, Ms. Ellison served as an Instructional Assistant at Oakwood Intermediate and Southwood Valley Elementary. Ms. Ellison joined the STRIVE Collegiate Academy family in Fall 2017 as the 5th Grade Math teacher. She is thrilled to return this year to teach 8th Grade Honors and provide additional coaching and support to the Math team! Her motivation to work in education stems from her continuous love for learning. The drive that Ms. Ellison has within herself is something she desires to share each day at STRIVE! In her free time, Ms. Ellison enjoys watching mystery shows, shopping, and spending time with family and her puppy.

Ryann Mehlrose, ELA Content Lead

Bio

English Language Arts Content Lead & 8th ELA Honoros Teacher

Mrs. Mehlrose (rmehlrose@strivecollegiate.org) earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Leadership with a concentration in Counseling from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. She was born in Dunedin, Florida and raised throughout many parts of southwest Florida. Mrs. Mehlrose is currently working on her Master of Arts degree in Teaching with a concentration on K-6 grade from Relay Graduate School of Education, located in Nashville, TN. While earning her Bachelor's degree, Mrs. Mehlrose served as a mentor to young women and adolescents throughout southwest Florida with an emphasis on leadership and personal development. Mrs. Mehlrose is excited to jump into her second year with the STRIVE Family as the 5th grade ELA teacher. She hopes to inspire and motivate her students to love learning and reading books, furthering their knowledge and expanding their imagination. Outside of STRIVE, you can find Mrs. Mehlrose spending time with her family and dog (Max), watching movies, and spending time outdoors.

Mareeka Verge, Social Studies Content Lead

Bio

Social Studies Content Lead & 8th Grade Social Studies Honors Teacher

Ms. Verge (mverge@strivecollegiate.org) earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Middle Tennessee State University. She was born and raised in Murfreesboro, TN and has enjoyed remaining close to friends and family. Outside of STRIVE, Ms. Verge loves listening to different genres of music and spending time with her son. She loves to eat and try different types of foods. Just before graduating college, Mareeka had the opportunity to learn about STRIVE and an amazing teaching opportunity. Since then, she has been brought on as the 5th grade Social Studies Teacher. Ms. Verge is beyond excited to continue to learn and grow as a part of the STRIVE family. As the great Maya Angelou states, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated”. With this mindset, anything is possible.

Operations Team

Chanel Ahlander, Operations Manager

Bio

Operations Manager

Ms. Ahlander (cahlander@strivecollegiate.org)

Linda Hall, Operations Manager

Bio

Operations Manager

Mrs. Hall (lhall@strivecollegiate.org) is originally from New York City and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She has previously worked in film, television, Public Relations and Customer Service. She has three grown children whom she is very proud of. When not working at Strive, Linda enjoys exploring new galleries, restaurants and Nashville parks with her husband.

Leadership Team

LaKendra Butler, School Leader

Bio

Founder & School Leader

Mrs. Butler (lakendra@strivecollegiate.org) holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration & Supervision from National Louis University. Ms. Butler’s career in education began in 2005 with Teach for America in Atlanta, Georgia. After teaching in Atlanta, she started teaching at KIPP TRUTH Academy in Dallas, Texas. Butler became KIPP TRUTH’s first Assistant Principal. During her third year as the Assistant Principal, she became the School Leader and held both roles simultaneously, but eventually transitioned into the School Leader role full-time. Mrs. Butler was hired by the Tennessee Charter School Center to move to Nashville to start a charter school. In August 2014, STRIVE (5th-8th grade) was approved to open in July 2015. Ms. Butler is grateful to serve the students in the McGavock Cluster to ensure they are college-ready when they leave 8th grade.

Bethany Eschman, Director of Academics

Bio

Director of Academics (Humanities)

Mrs. Eschman (beschman@strivecollegiate.org)

Miranda Bakla, Director of Operations

Bio

Director Operations

Ms. Bakla (mbakla@strivecollegiate.org)

Dominique Tross, Director of Continuous Improvement

Bio

Director of Continuous Improvement

Ms. Tross (dtross@strivecollegiate.org) is a Memphis native and educator for 10 years. She has previously served in the role of: middle school math teacher, District Math Lead, Professional Learning Coach, and HS Numeracy Coach. Ms. Tross began her teaching career in Memphis, TN as a Middle School Interventionist. As a teacher she maintained a Level 5 (above average growth) for her students. Ms. Tross holds a Bachelor in Business Administration with concentration in Financial Instruction Managemen from Middle Tennessee State University and a Masters in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Freed Hardeman University. In her free time. Ms. Tross enjoys walks in nature and spending quality time with her daughter.