6th Grade Mathematics Teacher

Mr. Bates (rbates@strivecollegiate.org)

6th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Johnson (kjohnson@strivecollegiate.org)

6th Grade Science Teacher

Mr. Hamilton (rhamilton@strivecollegiate.org)

6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Huffman (thuffman@strivecollegiate.org)

7th Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Ransley (eransley@strivecollegiate.org) has a passion for science and for inspiring students to pursue STEM careers. She received her bachelors of science in Human Biology at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She is currently earning her Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction at Wake Forest University. Ms. Ransley recently moved to Nashville. She previously taught 6th grade science for two years and 7th grade science for one in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Ransley pursued education as she cares deeply about sharing her love of science with her students and supporting them in being the best versions of themselves academically and as individuals. This is her first year teaching at STRIVE and she is looking forward to getting to know the students and family members of the STRIVE community!

7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Ms. Cash (kcash@strivecollegiate.org)

7th Grade Mathematics Teacher

Mrs. Waters (lwaters@strivecollegiate.org)

7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

Ms. Spencer (mspencer@strivecollegiate.org)

8th Grade Mathematics Teacher 

Ms. Sims (ssims1@strivecollegiate.org)

8th Grade Science Teacher 

Mr. Haynes (whaynes@strivecollegiate.org)

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher 

Mrs. Berkheimer (aberkheimer@strivecollegiate.org)

Interventionist

Ms. Allen (kallen@strivecollegiate.org)

Interventionist

Ms. Smith (ksmith@strivecollegiate.org)

Paraprofessional

Ms. Stevens (hstevens@strivecollegiate.org)

Related Arts

Mr. Horton (thorton@strivecollegiate.org)

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.

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.

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 Manager

Ms. Ahlander (cahlander@strivecollegiate.org)

Operations Manager

Mrs. Stalvey (jstalvey@strivecollegiate.org)

Community Coordinator

Ms. Wagner (twagner@strivecollegiate.org)

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.

Director of Academics

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.

Director Operations

Ms. Bakla (mbakla@strivecollegiate.org)

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.

Director of Culture

Mr. Turner (mturner@strivecollegiate.org)