Our Staff
Meet the passionate educators who make Templeton Academy a place where every student is seen, supported, and challenged.
Dr. Steakley is a lifelong learner who feels most at home in a lively and innovative school environment like Templeton Academy. Originally from Nashville, Dr. Steakley attended Belmont University for my B.A. and M.A. in English before pursuing my Ph.D. at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Following grad school, she lived and worked in Los Angeles, teaching at both Loyola Marymount University and California State University Northridge, before taking on the role of development and communications director for a private progressive school serving preschool through middle school students. Dr. Steakley returned home to Nashville in 2016 and discovered Templeton in 2019. Dr. Steakley joined first as parent of a Templeton Academy Student, then as Operations Manager, and now as Head of School.
From Dr. Steakley: "I love my job! I find I can be my truest self here, and I love the way Templeton puts students first and challenges them to be partners in their education. I live in Bellevue with my husband Clay, daughter Dot, and our cats, Echo and Tango. I love reading and writing, puzzles and brain games, cats and koalas, anime and mysteries, gummy bears and dark chocolate. I'm a people person, so be sure to say hello when you see me on campus! Bonus points if you have a silly joke to share!"
Waleid is a Nashville native (or "unicorn," as he says), pursued a degree in Biochemistry and History, with minors in English and Psychology, at Austin Peay State University to satisfy the need to grow and learn about a broad range of subjects. His continuing education focused on Behavioral Counseling to help those in need looking to help with at-risk teens. With more than six years of front-line experience with social work and working with those most in need in the city of Nashville, Waleid is excited to share these experiences, as well as his passion to help young people succeed, with the Templeton Community. Waleid is also Dungeon Master with 14 years of experience leading Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, as well as the vocalist and bassist for a Nashville-based melodic death metal band. He quotes his father's advice as the inspiration for why he runs the gamut in his interests: "the only thing no one can take from you is your education from life and school." Waleid looks forward to getting to know the high school families!
Anastasia Teel is a Nashville native. She has a BFA in Musical Theater from Western Carolina University. After spending years performing in New York City and Tokyo, she returned to Nashville in 2020. Since being back, she's worked as an educator and in Historic Interpretation in museum spaces. Anastasia has worked with local non-profit children's theater The Theater Bug since 2011 where she's served as a teaching artist, director and, social media manager. She first heard about Templeton Academy through Theater Bug students, and as a committed lifelong learner, is excited to be a part of a school that fosters curiosity and values seeking joy and serving others
Travis Batista graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's degree in Global Studies and a minor in History. He grew up just outside of Nashville in White House, TN. His favorite way to spend my time is with his wife and daughter. He started his career in education through the Nashville Teaching Fellows program during the summer of 2016 and completed a Masters in Arts of Teaching just last summer. In college, he found a love for experiencing new cultures and travel especially through exploring local food. So far, he's made it to three continents and several countries. Asia and its many dumplings are at the top of my list to explore next. His goal is to bring his travels to the classroom while teaching both Social Studies and ELA. He hopes to inspire his students to experience the world beyond their front doors.
Scott Field grew up in central PA, studied history at Swarthmore College, and started teaching math and science in Washington DC. The work resonated with him so he moved to Santa Fe, NM to earn a Master's in Liberal Arts at St. John's College. He has been teaching and coaching middle and high school students for 27 years in English and history in Washington, DC, Boston, and Nashville. While working at Currey Ingram, Scott opened the Third Coast Comedy Club. Married, he has two twenty-something children, a rescue dog, two stray cats, and countless microbes.
Jessi Goodwin (she/they) has been making and teaching art in Nashville for 15 years. She holds a BFA in Visual Art from Huntingdon College and a Master of Arts in Art Education from AOE University. Her experience includes drawing and ink illustration, watercolor and acrylic painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, photography, and digital design. Ms. Goodwin divides her time between teaching art and her role as the Fieldwork Coordinator, increasing community partnerships, supporting fieldwork opportunities, and developing Templeton Academy's student internship program. She believes that the best way to learn is to immerse oneself in real-world experiences and utilizes the city of Nashville as an extension of her classroom.
Cannon Joiner is originally from Georgia, but the mountains of North Carolina have his heart. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 and thereafter pursued a career in data-driven advertising for 5 years. He's very excited to meet and motivate high school students to change their relationship with math and find new and intentional ways to use it to change the world around them for the better. He's the father to a difficult 8-year old pup Barkley, and loves movies.
Courtney Rehkamp is a first-year teacher at Templeton Academy, instructing German and the Humanities. She is currently completing her Doctorate in German at Vanderbilt University, where she has lived for seven years. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Courtney holds a bachelor's degree in education and German from Northern Kentucky University and a master's in German from the University of Cincinnati. She is passionate about working with Students and is excited to contribute to a positive and engaging learning environment at Templeton Academy Nashville!
Jacob Shumate is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he earned his degree in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina Asheville. While there, he researched antibiotic optimization and discovered a passion for education through tutoring and community outreach. After graduation, he continued his research at Dartmouth College before transitioning to a career as a high school STEM teacher. He believes cultivating the next generation of researchers is a more impactful and fulfilling pursuit than conducting research himself. This year, he is excited to help Students build a strong relationship with STEM concepts and inspire future breakthrough scientists. In his free time, he enjoys playing music (saxophone and bass), reading, gardening, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends.
Dr. Savanna Rae Starko loves being an educator! She views education as synonymous with connection. She is a connector of people through shared knowledge. She earned her B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Washington and Jefferson College, a small college outside of Pittsburgh, PA, in 2016. She then went on to earn a Ph.D. in High Energy Physics from Vanderbilt University in the Spring of 2020. Following graduate school, she began her role as Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator for Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences at Vanderbilt. In this course, her student population primarily consists of students on a premedical track, and Dr. Starko loves the opportunity to teach future doctors not what but how to think. She is the recipient of the Harriet S. Gilliam Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 2022.
During the third year of her Ph.D. program, Dr. Starko became a registered yoga instructor (RYT-200). She later went on to earn her 300-hour certificate to become a 500-hour registered yoga instructor (RYT-500) in the Fall of 2021. She teaches yoga at Small World Yoga in Edgehill. Whether in front of an academic classroom or a room full of yogis, she loves the opportunity to share knowledge. She believes that knowledge is free, meant to be shared, and inextricably binds all people. She is passionate about inclusive STEM education and works diligently to create spaces of belonging. Dr. Starko very much looks forward to contributing to Templeton Academy's reputation of ensuring that all students are seen, heard, and valued.
Jonathan Creamer hails from the deep south, having been born and bred in Australia. After completing a degree in science, majoring in chemistry, and a PhD in chemistry and forensic science (both at the University of Western Australia), Dr. Creamer traveled halfway around the world to do postdoctoral research on bacterial proteins at Vanderbilt University. From there, he transitioned to teaching STEM to high school students at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, and then went on to teach middle school science and chemistry and research to high school students at Montgomery Bell Academy. After taking a semester off to spend time with his family, Jonathan is excited to join Templeton Academy to teach 5th/6th grade math. Dr. Creamer is married and has three sons, including Nathan, who is in 7th grade at Templeton, and two dogs. He loves to write poetry, watch cricket, and play tabletop games, and has a remarkable skill for playing rock, paper, scissors.
Mike Garvin is a native of northern Mississippi, but grew up in Murray, Kentucky, where he discovered a passion for performance through the Kentucky Speech Leagues. This led him to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, to earn his B.S. and M.A. in Performance Studies. While there, he also developed a love for teaching and improv coaching. After several years honing his skills in Chicago's improv and stand-up comedy scene, he returned south to Nashville.
He has been a Mainstage performer and improv instructor at Third Coast Comedy Club since 2017. He also teaches for Unscripted, a non-profit that uses improv to foster healing and connection. Since 2019, he has also served as a live-science magician at the Adventure Science Center. He is thrilled to return to Templeton Academy Nashville as the MS enrichment adjunct and looks forward to fostering a lifelong love of learning with the newest Students.
Swarada Kulkarni is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society with a minor in Biology, all with the goal of attending medical school post-graduation. She is deeply passionate about rural health issues and neuroscience research, particularly in areas of Alzheimer's and autism. She first connected with Templeton Academy as a volunteer, teaching neuroscience lessons and loving every moment. Now, she's excited to not only teach by serve as a mentor to Students, helping them discover their potential and get inspired about their future paths. A California native from Santa Clarita, she loves visiting the beach and trying new restaurants with her family.
Jennie Liu is a passionate artist and educator with over fifteen years of experience working in performance and film across New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. She is thrilled to be joining Templeton Academy, where she looks forward to co-creating exploratory and expressive learning spaces with Students.
She recently taught Movement and Wellness at an inclusive microschool in Hong Kong, and she brings a passion for interdisciplinary learning that engages a Student's body, mind, and spirit. Her background includes holding visiting artist positions in NYC public schools and universities, designing educational programs for museums, and developing community art initiatives. She loves collaborating with Students to embolden their natural creativity and is excited to geek out with them about their passions, from shows and games to music and manga.