Jessica Rice was born in Nashville, though she was raised in Encinitas, California. Graduating from the University of Georgia, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Education and later earned a master’s in elementary reading and literacy from Walden University. Mrs. Rice taught for four years in Georgia before moving to Fairview in 2004 and joining the faculty here at Julia Green. When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Rice enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching UGA and Titans football, reading, and exercising.

Sarah Wagner was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She attended Westmeade Elementary, Bellevue Middle, and Hillsboro High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Trevecca Nazarene University. Ms. Wagner’s mission is to positively impact the lives of all students to foster a lifelong love of learning.  She loves teaching kindergarten because she wants to give her student a fun and amazing start to their academic careers. Outside of school she enjoys gardening, spending time with family and friends, baking cookies, reading by the pool, shopping at Target, and taking long walks in the park.

Kate Happel was born in Chicago, IL and raised in a suburb called La Grange. She graduated from the University of Dayton (go flyers!!) with a Bachelors in Science in Early Childhood Education. She is excited to watch her students grow and learn this year! When Miss Happel is not teaching, she loves going on walks, trying new coffee shops, traveling, and spending time with her family & friends.  She is looking forward to this school year!

Sara Kennon Caldwell was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Growing up, she attended Oak Hill, Harding, and Harpeth Hall. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Belmont University before receiving her Masters of the Arts in Teaching. Her favorite thing about being in the classroom is forming positive relationships with the kids, seeing the light bulbs each day, as well as the growth the students exhibit from start to finish. She strives to create a positive learning environment that students feel safe and secure to take risks and ask questions. In her free time, Ms. Caldwell loves to be with her family at the lake or in Colorado, hang with friends, online shopping, listening to audiobooks while driving, playing with her dogs, watching Alabama and Titans football, and pretty much anything outdoors!!

Hannah Haubry was born and raised in Seymour, Indiana. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University. After graduating in 2021, she moved to Nashville and has taught in MNPS for the past three years. When Ms. Haubry is not teaching, she loves cheering on the Green Bay Packers, running, reading, and walking her black lab named Briggs. Ms. Haubry is excited to be part of the Julia Green family and can't wait to meet her new students!

Taylor Daugherty was born in Nashville and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language Pathology. After graduation, she attended Lipscomb University and earned her master’s in elementary education. Mrs. Daugherty looks forward to coming to school each day and enjoys sharing her passion for education with her students. Outside of school, Mrs. Daugherty likes to spend time with her family and friends and cheer for UT football.

Justine Schultz is originally from Muscatine, Iowa and moved to Nashville in 2011 to experience “big city life.” She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and holds endorsements in reading and language arts. She received her Masters in Education from Lipscomb University in 2015 with an emphasis in English Language Learners. Mrs. Schultz strongly believes in building a community in her classroom that allows both the teacher and the students to work together to learn new things while strengthening academics and citizenship. In her free time, Mrs. Schultz enjoys exercise, going to concerts, baking, and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and now, the Titans.

Born and raised in Nashville, Laurel Sisk is a proud product of Metro Schools having graduated from Nashville School of the Arts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Aquinas College. Mrs. Sisk believes that each child is unique and gifted in different ways and it is her desire to help students find and embrace their individual strengths in the classroom. Outside of teaching, Mrs. Sisk enjoys singing, reading, shopping, exercising, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Ms. Lane made the move to Nashville after graduating college from the University of Kentucky. Prior to living in Nashville, Ms. Lane spent the previous 12 years living in Alpharetta, GA. When Ms. Lane is not teaching she loves cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats and New England Patriots, as well as traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She cannot wait to get started and meet all her new students!

Mrs. Riffert was born and raised in West Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Exceptional Education. Mrs. Riffert strives to meet each individual student's academic and personal needs while ensuring that all of her students feel acknowledged, heard, and cared for by creating an engaging, welcoming classroom environment. Outside of school, she enjoys baking, cheering on the New York Yankees and IU sporting events, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Born and raised in LaGrange, Georgia, Laurel Genova attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. After graduating in 2022, Ms. Genova decided to pursue a master’s degree and moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University, where she received a master’s in Reading Education. Ms. Genova fell in love with Nashville this past year and knew she wanted to stay local to start her teaching career. Ms. Genova is passionate about fostering a classroom community where all students feel loved, respected, and cared for. Outside of school, Ms. Genova loves hiking, baking, spending time at the lake, and most importantly, being with family and friends. Ms. Genova is beyond excited to be part of the Julia Green family and can not wait to meet all of her wonderful students and their families!

Jenny Crews is excited to be back teaching at Julia Green! She previously taught in 3^rd Grade for Mrs. Foust while she was on maternity leave.  Jenny was born and raised in Chattanooga and attended Middle Tennessee State University, where she played varsity Tennis and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education. She is duel-certified in both Elementary and Special Education.   Jenny has been a teacher in MNPS since 2013 but has been teaching since 1992.   In her spare time, she loves to play golf, go out to eat, and spend time with her family.  

Born and raised in New Haven, Vermont, Danielle Stein attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While living in New York, she took classes to earn her elementary teaching certification. Mrs. Stein began her teaching career in Charlotte, North Carolina, and later moved to Austin, Texas where she taught for ten years, five of those in an IB World School. Upon moving to Nashville in 2010, Mrs. Stein taught at Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet in MNPS, transferring to Julia Green the following year as the math specialist. Each year, Mrs. Stein is committed to instilling her class with a passion for learning, and taking action to improve themselves and the world around them. She explores and implements a variety of teaching methods in order to help guide students on their personal and educational journeys. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Stein loves to spend time camping with her family, listening to country music, and cheering on the Nashville Predators. Go PREDS!!!!

Lauren Tavi began her teaching career in Michigan where she was born and raised. She attended the University of Michigan and Oakland University. Mrs. Tavi earned a Bachelor's degree in elementary education with a major in social sciences and a minor in mathematics. She has a Masters of Arts in teaching reading and language arts and has enjoyed teaching upper elementary as well as middle school. Mrs. Tavi loves to watch her students grow as learners as they gain confidence and push themselves beyond what they think they can do. Outside of school, you'll find Mrs. Tavi heading out on new travel adventures or spending time with her husband and three children.

Ms. Hoffman was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University. She moved to the Nashville area in 2024 to be closer to her sister. Prior to moving, Ms. Hoffman student taught Kindergarten in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania and later substitute taught for all elementary levels. Ms. Hoffman’s goal is to ensure that every student knows they are supported and cared for academically, socially, and emotionally. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, baking, traveling, spending time outdoors, and loving on her two cats, Arlo and Moose.

Ms. Gilreath was born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi College and her Master’s degree in Gifted Education from William Carey University. She moved to the Nashville area in 2021 to be closer to her sister and two nieces. Prior to moving, Ms. Gilreath taught Gifted and Talented Education in the suburbs of Jackson, Mississippi. For her first three years in Nashville, she taught 2nd grade in MNPS. Ms. Gilreath strives to create a classroom atmosphere of acceptance, love, and creativity for all students. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to workout classes, reading, and spoiling her 14 year old Yorkie, Ozzy

Ms. Fisher was born in San Antonio Texas, but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Longwood University in Farmville, VA with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Middle School Education with a concentration in English. After spending 2 years teaching 5th grade in rural Virginia she moved to Nashville and has spent the last 5 years teaching both 5th grade and 7th grade ELA. Ms. Fisher strives to "bring the joy" every day and wants all students to feel loved, safe, and encouraged to learn. Outside of school, Ms. Fisher enjoys reading, trying new Nashville restaurants, traveling, and cheering on the Tennessee VOLS!

Mrs. Marcoulier (Mar-cool-yer) grew up in Athens, Alabama. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Martin Methodist College and a Master of Education in Instructional Practice from Lipscomb University. Since 2013, she has taught 2nd and 3rd grades as well as Technology and Coding. Mrs. Marcoulier is dedicated to making every student feel seen, heard, and loved. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the Power of Yet, striving to create an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment where each child can thrive. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Marcoulier enjoys spending quality time with her family, crocheting, and enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

Danny Bateman joined the faculty at Julia Green in 2011. Prior to that, he taught in Wuhan, Hubei, China as a university professor. Mr. Bateman loves using the Chinese language and hopes that the students will too. Over the course of the year, his students are engaged in fun and meaningful opportunities to practice this language and learn even more about the fascinating Chinese culture. Outside of school, Mr. Bateman administers ESL programs and helps teach English to newcomers to the United States.  He also enjoys spending time with his wife and son, going hiking, and woodworking.

Emily Riley is originally from Kentucky but moved to Nashville in 2007 to attend Belmont University where she received a degree in music education with a vocal emphasis. Before graduating, she had the opportunity to student teach at Julia Green with Mrs. Moody and Mrs. Hammonds. Since then, Ms. Riley has led tours at the Ryman Auditorium, taught piano lessons, learned to play the banjo, and lived abroad in Germany for a year. Ms. Riley believes she has the best job ever because she gets to sing, dance, and play games all day, while getting kids excited about the foundations of music. Ms. Riley strives to work on the basics of music theory every day, while incorporating the Big Picture of what music, creativity, and art mean in each student’s life and how it makes them feel. Outside of school, Mrs. Riley loves to play music, plan big trips, and read anything she can get her hands on.

Mrs. Watkins earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Education with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Arkansas. She has been sharing her skills and love of art with students for 11 years. She aims to bring joy, a positive attitude and high expectations to her classroom while teaching students new skills and art concepts through the creative process. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and creating pottery.

Born in Nashville, Bubba Norris is a proud product of Metro Schools, having attended Glencliff Elementary, Wright Middle, and Glencliff High School. Mr. Norris earned an associate’s degree from Columbia State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Trevecca Nazarene University. Mr. Norris received scholarships from both schools to play baseball. Before coming to Julia Green, Mr. Norris taught at A.Z. Kelley and Tom Joy, both MNPS elementary schools. Because sports have always been such a huge part of his life, Mr. Norris loves having the opportunity to inspire students to live a healthy lifestyle. Outside of school, Mr. Norris enjoys spending time with his wife and child, and, of course, playing and watching sports.

Mrs. Barnes is from California where she received her B.S. in Kinesiology at CSUF and a teaching credential at SJSU. She has been living in Nashville for the last 10 years and is now entering her sixth year of teaching. Her hobbies include staying active, playing sports, coaching/training, listening to podcasts, and gardening in her spare time. “Coach Barnes” is a firm believer that staying active is vital to every aspect of life andtakes pride in helping students find their joy and success in movement and health!