Highlands Latin Nashville is a curriculum-centric tutorial. At the heart of HLN is our faculty of teachers who teach this curriculum. Masterful in the classroom, they are knowledgable, enthusiastic, and prepared.

2025-2026 Teachers

Scroll down for teacher pictures and bios.

Kindergarten through Second Grade Primary Classes:

• Kindergarten: Whitney Hunt
• First Grade: Kari Essenpreis
• Second Grade: Valerie Lomax
• Primary Assistants: Rose Attea, Chrissie Kavli, & Gretchen Mruk

Grammar and Upper Classes, Third through High School:

• Latin
  • Prima Latina/English Grammar Recitation I: Whitney Mathis
  • Latina Christiana: Megan Kincade
  • First Form: Angel Pregont
  • Second Form: Sarah Bell Earley
  • Third Form: Jessica Phillips
  • Fourth Form: Lauren Cardwell

• Classical Studies
  • Greek Myths: Megan Kincade
  • Famous Men of Rome: Lee Ann Hill
  • Famous Men of the Middle Ages: Tamra Boyce
  • Famous Men of Greece/Horatius: Jennifer Avrit
  • Book of the Ancient Greeks/Iliad/Odyssey: Sarah Bell Earley
  • Book of the Ancient Romans/Aeneid: Alicia Jones
  • Greek Tragedies: Lauren Cardwell
  • Cicero & Augustine – Philosophy: Jessica Phillips
  • Classical Philosophy: Chris Bradstreet

• Literature/Poetry
  • Literature A (Charlotte’s Web, etc.): Whitney Mathis
  • Literature B (Lassie, etc.): Lee Ann Hill
  • Literature C (Robin Hood, etc.): Tamra Boyce
  • Literature D (The Hobbit, etc./Horatius): Megan Kincade
  • Literature E (Treasure Island, etc.): Jennifer Avrit
  • Literature F (Beowulf, etc.): Sarah Bell Earley
  • Literature G (Mockingbird, etc.): Angel Pregont
  • Literature H (Tale of Two Cities, etc.): (offered 2026-2027)
  • Literature I (Divine Comedy): Lauren Cardwell
  • Literature J (Anna Karenina, etc.): Katie Zimmerman-Clayton (not offered 2026-2027)

• Classical Composition
  • Intro to Composition: Lauren Cardwell
  • Fable: Tamra Boyce
  • Narrative: Lee Ann Hill
  • Chreia/Maxim: Megan Kincade
  • Refutation/Confirmation: Jennifer Avrit
  • Common Topic: Alicia Jones
  • Encomium, Invective, Comparison: Sarah Earley
  • Characterization/Description/Thesis/Law: (not offered 2025-2026)

Thursday courses for sixth through twelfth grade:

• Mathematics (additional classes may be offered if there is sufficient interest; teachers TBD, based on enrollment)
  • Understanding Math: Lauren Cardwell
  • Mastering Mathematics: Lauren Cardwell
  • Pre-Algebra: Whitney Hunt
  • Algebra 1: Whitney Hunt
  • Algebra 2: (not offered 2025-2026)
  • Geometry: Davey Hibbett

• Science (additional classes may be offered if there is sufficient interest)
  • Trees/World of Biology: Tamra Boyce
  • Earth Science: Tamra Boyce
  • Physical Science: Davey Hibbett
  • Introductory Physics: Michael Milovancev
  • Chemistry: (not offered 2025-2026)
  • Biology: (offered 2026-2027)
• Traditional Logic I & II: Michael Milovancev
• Material Logic & Classical Rhetoric: (not offered 2025-2026)
• U.S. History: (not offered 2026-2027)

HLN’s Teachers

Rose Attea

• Columbia State – Commercial Entertainment, certificate program

Rose Attea is originally from Nashville, TN. After studying Commercial Entertainment in college, Rose had a successful dance career. She later moved to Knoxville where she received certificates in Acrobatic Arts, Pilates, and yoga. She has been teaching dance and movement for the past 15 years. Rose has a great passion for working with youth and helping to empower them to be the best they can be. Rose recently moved back to Nashville with her young son and is thrilled to be a part of the Highlands Latin School community!

Jennifer Avrit

• Lipscomb University, BA English Education & French
• ESL Certification

Jennifer grew up in east-central Indiana and has lived in the Nashville area since 2015. After graduation, she taught 9th grade English at Hillwood High School until her first son was born. Today, she stays home with her four children, homeschooling the 3 oldest.  This will be her 6th year teaching at HLN. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys jogging, reading, swimming, and paddleboarding with family. 

Chris Bradstreet

• Grove City College, Philosophy & Theology
• University of Pittsburg School of Law

Chris Bradstreet Esq. is an entertainment attorney and principle at Street Talk Media, a personal management and music marketing firm based in Nashville. Chris majored in Philosophy & Theology as an undergraduate at Grove City College, focusing most on Political Science, before attending the University Pittsburgh School of Law. He has practiced law in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Tamra Boyce

• Southeast Missouri State University, B.S. in Education, History minor

Teaching at Highlands is such a privilege, and such a joy!  Having taught in a number of settings, I find this place uniquely wonderful!  I get to teach about things I love: creation, history, writing, and literature, and I get to teach interesting young people who love to learn.  We’re a great match!  My in-between times are often filled with family.  My husband of over 35 years and I have 3 daughters and 4 young grandchildren.  I also enjoy outdoor activities like grilling, gardening, star-gazing, and bird watching.

Lauren Cardwell

• The University of Virginia, BA English and French
• New York University, MFA Poetry Writing

I am over the moon to be teaching Latin, literature, and classical studies. Having experienced the fruits of classical education during my secondary and university years, I knew I wanted to take a classical approach when I began homeschooling my own children in 2013. Over the years, I have taught creative writing, theater, literature, and language in a variety of settings; worked as a doula and childbirth educator; and written poetry and essays. As a mother of four, life is abundant. Reading, running, hiking, and playing soccer and board games with my family help to keep my head clear and my heart light.

Sarah Bell Earley

• Brown University, BA Environmental Studies
• Trinity School for Ministry, MAR Biblical Studies

I am a North Carolina native who has now experienced two tornadoes, a 500+-year flood, and six years of homeschooling in East Nashville. I love learning, reading, writing, creative projects, color, new recipes, visiting new places, and making lists. I’m looking forward to this year at Highlands!

Kari Essenpreis

• Union University, BS Nursing

Chrissie Kavli

I am thrilled to assist in the primary classrooms at Highlands Nashville Cottage School.  As a veteran homeschool mother of four, I have a particular soft spot for the early years. I delight in reading, teaching yoga, and drinking copious amounts of very strong, black coffee.

Davey Hibbett

Lee Ann Hill

• MTSU, BS Theatre with Journalism Minor

Growing up in West Tennessee, I did not realize my grandmother’s bookshelf was leading me towards the love of classical education. My college degree in Theatre with a minor in Journalism is hardly used. And after traveling around the country, I found myself working as a children’s librarian in Nashville. Children’s literature is my favorite. Having read all the old classics and some new ones, I am excited to be teaching about them. This will be my 6th year homeschooling. I enjoy swimming, nature, reading, and book clubs.

Whitney Hunt

• King University, BS Religious Studies

Whitney grew up in Alabama where she was homeschooled from first through twelfth grade. When her oldest child reached school age, homeschooling was the natural choice. Whitney found Memoria Press in 2018 and fell in love with classical education. She has been using it to homeschool her three children ever since. When she is not teaching, Whitney enjoys crafting, reading, and organizing. 

Valerie Lomax

• Ball State University, BS in Dietetics

Hi, my name is Valerie Lomax. I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and “Checed” (my grandmother name, which means “lovingkindness” in Hebrew.) I love life! Making up motions to the Word and watching children grow are two of my favorite things in life. God has saturated our home with life!  My husband, Tom, and I are the grateful parents of ten children, ages 15 to 34 and four grandchildren.  We have homeschooled our children with the focus of “when I am weak, He is strong” and “love never fails.” And Jesus has never failed us!  I am honored to teach your children this year at Highlands Latin Nashville.

Whitney Mathis

• North Greenville University, B.A. Elementary Education

A North Carolina native, Whitney now resides in Kentucky where she serves her church alongside her husband and cares for their four children. Whitney spent ten years in the public school system as a primary grades teacher, often assigned to nurture at-risk student groups. She was the lead Kindergarten teacher at HLN from 2023-2024. Her hobbies have included hiking, reading, watching (and waiting for) the Olympics, and obedience competitions with her spirited Welsh Terrier, Lottie. She enjoys caring for her backyard chickens and works hard to master the art of sourdough bread making. The culture and vision of HLN brought her here!

Michael Milovancev

• The University of Akron, BS Physics
• The University of Akron, MS Physics

Michael is an Ohio native and has homeschooled his three children using the Memoria Press curriculum since 2018. Having earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees, he teaches upper school and science classes at Highlands Latin Nashville. Michael is an avid reader and lover of classical Christian education, theology, and Church history. When he is not cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes, Michael loves to spend time with his wife and children playing strategy games, being outdoors and gardening, scavenging through used bookstores, and making sourdough and paper airplane creations.

Jessica Phillips, Director

• Lipscomb University, BA Bible, Minors Greek and English

Jessica is a Tennessee native who lives with her husband and children in Goodlettsville. Their family has been homeschooling since 2010 and using the Memoria Press curriculum since 2012. In 2015 she founded the Sodalitas Conference, the two day homeschool-specific training portion now part of the annual week-long Memoria National Conference. In 2023 she was awarded the Cheryl Lowe Legacy Award by Memoria Press in recognition of her significant contribution to the classical education movement. In April 2024 she completed her recitation of Horatius at the Bridge and earned membership in HLN’s Horatius Society. Her two oldest children and daughter-in-law are graduates of HLN and are continuing their education at Hillsdale College. Jessica spends her leisure time reading, playing guitar, watching light move across the landscape, and connecting people with one another. Her joys are her family and home. 

Angel Pregont, Director

• University of Tennessee, BA History, Minor Business
• Indiana University, MS Ed Higher Education and Student Affairs

I grew up at the foot of the Smokies in Jefferson County in east TN. For one of my undergraduate years I had the privilege of attending college in Northern Ireland. Before moving to Nashville and starting a family I worked in Financial Aid at Indiana University and in Residence Life at Indiana Wesleyan University. My love of education led to a desire to homeschool my five children from 2005-2023. Since 2022 I’ve been doing a little life coaching on the side. I enjoy the slow life of reading, being outside, and drinking coffee on my porch in the mornings.