Julie Littrell received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Lipscomb University. She has been married to her husband, Ben, for 23 years. Their son, Justin, is 20 and a Sophomore at Lipscomb University. Their daughter, Neeley Jo, is in Pre K at Nashville Christian Preschool. Julie has taught at Nashville Christian since 2004. She has a passion for teaching Kindergarten students to be successful in all that they do. She feels blessed that this is how God led her to use her gifts. Watching students' eyes light up when they realize the stories of the Bible are true and how much our God loves them reminds her daily why she is here. She loves NCS and says she has been blessed in so many ways by the orange and blue family.
Ali Camp received her Bachelor of science in elementary education from Belmont University. She recently married in May 2023. Ali has been teaching for five years and is honored to be teaching at Nashville Christian. She loves worshiping with her class and seeing their growth throughout the school year academically and spiritually. Mrs. Camp spends her Saturdays in the fall cheering on Alabama.
Krista Mahlstadt received her Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University, Irvine in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in early childhood education. She is married to her best friend, Luke, and has one beautiful daughter, Lily, who attends Nashville Christian. Mrs. Mahlstadt is passionate about creating an environment where her students are loved, challenged and discipled.
Jessica Picanzo received her Bachelor of Arts from Western Governors University. She has been married for 10 years and has two children, Andi and Aaron Picanzo, who also attend NCS. Mrs. Picanzo and her husband lead the youth group at their church and love seeing children truly understand how much Jesus loves them! She feels honored to be part of the NCS family and has a passion for sharing the word of God with her students!
Joanna Melton received her Bachelor of Arts from Belmont University and Master of Arts in Reading from Austin Peay University. She is married to John and has three beautiful daughters who attend Nashville Christian. Working at Nashville Christian is a blessing to her. She feels honored to be a part of a Christ centered education.
Natasha Fincher earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Education from Lipscomb University. She is married to Jeff and has three children who attend Nashville Christian. Mrs. Fincher also coaches varsity cross country. She began her teaching and coaching career at NCS from 1999-2008. She and Jeff then moved to the City of Children in Ensenada, MX for a few years before moving back to Nashville to start their own family. The Finchers are grateful to return to NCS as a family in 2021.
Sara Sullivan received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University. She has 20 years of teaching experience in kindergarten and first grade. She is married and has four children, and three of them currently attend Nashville Christian School. She feels that being a part of NCS is a privilege where she can not only help young learners grow in academics, but also share with them the lens of the Lord and his love for each of us.
Brooke Middleton received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University and her Master of Science degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. She has taught fourteen years at every grade level from kindergarten through fifth grade. She and her husband have two children who also attend Nashville Christian. She feels blessed to be a part of Nashville Christian School.
Kristen DiPasquale was the original “Junior Cheerleader” at NCS many, many years ago! She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University and her Master’s Degree from Arkansas State University. She has taught Kindergarten-2nd grade in both public and private schools. She loves bringing song and dance to her classroom and also enjoys helping in the theater department as choreographer! Mrs. DiPasquale is married to Brad and has 2 “drama queens” who attend NCS. Mrs. DiPasquale feels so thankful that God brought her back to NCS a few years ago to the place that has always felt like home.
Cassie Nord studied overseas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Middlesex University in London, UK. After graduating, Mrs. Nord was a corps member with Teach For America in Memphis, TN. There, she taught in low-income urban education for two years while completing a Master’s in Education from Christian Brothers University. In her first year of teaching she was awarded Shelby County School District’s Elementary New Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching in Christian education in Southern California for the past 5 years. Her family moved this summer to be a part of the NCS family. Her son, Ezra Coast, attends NCS Preschool.
Becky Waddell received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Youngstown State University and her Master of Science degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. She has taught 12 years in both private and public schools. She is married to Jacob and has 3 children. Her oldest daughter was recently married, her oldest son attends hockey school and her youngest son attends NCS. Mrs. Waddell loves to teach and read the Bible. She is so grateful to be a part of the NCS family.
Jeanne Graham received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lipscomb University. She has been teaching at Nashville Christian since 2004. She and her husband, Brent, have three adult children who are all graduates of NCS and who all attended Freed Hardeman University. She and Brent have been blessed to raise their children with a Christian education. Working at NCS has also been and continues to be one of Jeanne’s greatest blessings. She loves spending her days learning with her students and teaching with a Biblical Worldview. She also loves watching FHU softball and traveling with the team.
Jessica Kenaston has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special education and a minor in Biblical Studies from Biola University. This is her third year teaching third grade and her first year at NCS. She is blessed to be able to work at a school where not only does she get to teach students academically but also share who the Lord is with them.
Darby Lehning received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lipscomb University and English as a Second Language degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Darby has been teaching for 8 years across many grade levels. She and her husband Clay have one son, Jack, age 2 and attends NCS preschool. She enjoys laughing and learning with her students, and is reminded everyday what a blessing it is to be a part of the Nashville Christian family.
Lily Coradazzi has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Biblical studies. She has taught 4th and 5th grades in both Tennessee and Alabama. This is her ninth year teaching and she is honored to be called to education. She is married to Danny Coradazzi and they have two daughters who attend Nashville Christian. Mrs. Coradazzi loves to laugh, sing and have a great time in class. Teaching is her passion and she loves to help students find their strengths and how to best use them.
Janet Barnett graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She has taught in the public and private school system and this is her 6th year at NCS. She is back in the classroom full time teaching 5th grade and loves it! Janet is married to Josh Barnett and they have three amazing boys all who attend NCS. Noah is a Junior, Nate is a Freshman, and Nicholas is in 6th grade.
Bailey Robertson graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She was the recipient of the Carl Seale Student Teacher of the Year Award and began her teaching career in the public school setting. She and her husband, Ray, moved to Houston, Texas where she fell in love with Christian education.
JoAnn Young graduated with an Ed.D. Early Childhood degree from Vanderbilt University, a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from Lipscomb University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Young is a Reading Specialist and is passionate about engaging all students in the world of literacy. She is married to Jerry Young, a retired electrical engineer. Jerry and JoAnn have one daughter and one son.Their daughter, Jessalyn, is an architect in Knoxville and is married to Brian Friske. They have two amazing sons, Warren and Emmett. Warren and Emmett attend Knoxville Christian School. Jayson Young is Jerry and JoAnn's only son. Jayson is a writer and lives in Brentwood. Their children and grandchildren enjoy being together for hiking, family dinners, playing board games, and watching Nashville Predators and Knoxville Little Predators hockey games.
Lucy Longworth is a Nashville native and NCS Alum. She received her Bachelor's from UTC and began her career teaching 8th grade Social Studies and Language Arts in Cheatham County Schools. In 2020, she received her Master’s in Library Science from MTSU and began her library career at NCS. She has two daughters who attend NCS. Her husband, William, is also an NCS Alum and they live in Fairview on their family farm and love living the farm life! Mrs. Longworth is so grateful that God brought her full circle to NCS and for the ability to integrate God’s word into her lessons.
Emily Johnson is married to Conrad and they have three children, Ellie (15), Sarah (10), and Jonah (6). They have been married for 20 years. The family moved to Nashville in 2017 from Florida where Emily taught elementary art for 15 years. She has been teaching lower and middle school art at NCS for 6 years. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in art education. She loves inspiring creativity in young children.
Kathy Gupton graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. After moving to Nashville, she worked in the pregnancy and adoption counseling at Catholic Charities for 15 years and expanded the program to serve the Hispanic community. In 2000, she started her own Spanish translating business. In 2012, she began working at NCS as the lower school Spanish teacher and school counselor. Mrs. Gupton is the mother of twins, Madison and Jackson. They graduated from NCS in 2022 as Alpha Omegas and are currently attending UT Knoxville. She attends Woodmont Christian Church and enjoys running, reading, knitting, hiking, and doing all things creative.
Colette Stefaniak received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Pensacola Christian College and her Master’s in Music Education from Belmont University. She teaches elementary general music, middle and high school strings, and after-school private lessons at NCS. She is originally from Buffalo, New York and is a huge Bills football fan. She is a member at West End Community Church and is currently on their staff part-time as the Youth Worship Leader. In her free time, she plays volleyball and is an avid longboarder. She is also a frequent traveler and enjoys running, kayaking, snowboarding, painting, and reading.
Katie Ryckman is a Nashville native who graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and English. She is married to Chris and has two wonderful daughters, Mia (16) and Evie (13), who attend Nashville Christian. She loves traveling with her family and is so very thankful to be a part of NCS.