Ironwood Academy has a reputation for hiring the best teachers in the State. Our Instructors are highly experienced and engaged professionals with advanced degrees. They are passionate about the subjects or grade that they teach. At Ironwood, we believe strongly that teachers should be extremely well paid and empowered because a truly great teacher can make all the difference in how a young person sees his or her future. We provide an environment that allows teachers to use all of their creative skills and giftedness and we reward them for going beyond the norm to reach and challenge our students. As a result, the students at Ironwood Academy are the beneficiaries; they are being taught by the best of the best. 

Lynn Peck is the Administrator of Ironwood Academy, responsible for all academic affairs, and she serves as Math Chair. She brings her outstanding teaching skills to our middle and high school students.  Lynn graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors) from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She also has a Masters of Education degree in Secondary Education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, where she graduated with a GPA of 3.9 out of 4.0.   Lynn’s love for middle school students stems from her time at the Harpeth Hall School where she taught for six years covering Standard and Honors Pre-Algebra, Math 7, Honors Algebra 1, and Honors Geometry.

Previously, Lynn taught Algebra I and Statistics at Ravenwood High School.   Ravenwood is not only where Lynn first started her teaching career before transferring to Harpeth Hall, but it is also where she met her husband, Josh Peck.  Josh currently teaches Robotics and Engineering at Ravenwood.  Lynn and Josh have two children: a 16-year old son, Brody, and an 14-year old daughter, Avery.

Deborah Hayes returns to Ironwood Academy as EQ (Emotional Intelligence) Instructor with 30+ years of professional educational experience as a classroom teacher (public and private). She is a published author, curriculum developer, teacher trainer, and national speaker at educational conferences. She also homeschooled her three sons for several years. She has a strong passion for helping equip young people in the areas of emotional intelligence and well-being.

She completed both her undergraduate degree and graduate teacher credentialing work at California State University, Sacramento, majoring in Liberal Arts/Education with a concentration in Communications Studies. She taught public school for several years in central California and the inner-city of Los Angeles. Debb was named “Best New Educator” her second year in the classroom. In addition to her tenure as a classroom teacher, she has significant experience in writing and developing curriculum and training materials for educational institutions and publishers. She has authored multiple best-selling teacher resource books and over one hundred curriculum guides and materials for publishers. One of her earlier books was adopted as a textbook for the teaching program at New York State University. She continues to write and create content for online educational resources. For many years, Debb’s national speaking engagements include educational conferences such as the International Reading Association, the National Educational Computing Conference, and the American Library Association

Debb is passionate about learning and using life tools that promote positive mental, emotional and physical health. She is the Chair-Person of the Advisory Council at Vanderbilt Behavioral Health Hospital. She is also a state-wide presenter of the End the Silence program. End the Silence is a program designed for middle and high school students (as well as school staff and families) to help educate, empower and increase knowledge in discussing mental health. She loves teaching EQ and helping build its custom curated curriculum for Ironwood students.

Debb and her husband, Steve, have lived in the Franklin area for thirty plus years. They have three grown sons and recently welcomed two lovely daughters-in-love to their growing family. She loves reading, writing, travel, kayaking, and paddleboarding. And cookies. Let us never forget the cookies.

Dawn Breese joined Ironwood Academy in 2022 to teach middle school Language Arts. She holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from California State University at Fullerton, where she graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors). Mrs. Breese has been an educator for over 30 years as a teacher, a principal, and as a district administrator in Anaheim, California.  She has multiple subject teacher credentials as well as cross cultural, language and academic development credentials.  In 2018, she was designated by the California State Legislature as “Woman of the Year” and chosen as a “Woman of Distinction” by the California Assembly District 65.  Mrs. Breese was “Administrator of the Year” in 2019-2020. The schools that she led won the California Gold Ribbon School award for two years.  She is adept at establishing high standards for children’s academic and social growth and is a proven leader in classroom management.  Mrs. Breese has extensive experience in designing instruction that significantly improves achievement for all learners. She completed four professional development courses designed to improve students' evidenced based writing. In addition to her interest in writing, she is passionate about teaching students how to use their reading skills for advanced learning and literary analysis. Mrs. Breese has been married to her husband, John, for 28 years and they are raising their rescued fur baby named Enzo (a 60-lb standard-sized Schnauzer).  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, wide reading, live music, and long drives through the beautiful Tennessee countryside.

Mrs. Laura Hall is returning to Ironwood Academy for the 2025-2026 academic year.  She will teach Human Anatomy & Physiology and Algebra I to our high school students, as well as middle school math.   Mrs. Hall served as a substitute teacher for us last year teaching Science 7 and Science 8.  She has a solid reputation for employing engaging teaching methods and she is well-loved by her students.  We are delighted to welcome her back full-time.

Mrs. Hall has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, as well as a Masters of Education in Instructional Practice, from Lipscomb University.  From 2014 to 2023, she was a science teacher at Father Ryan High School.  She taught AP Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology (Honors and Advanced sections) and she is an Advanced Placement-certified teacher in AP Biology.  Mrs. Hall has also taught Ecology and Biology in an online platform for Nolensville High School/WCS Online.  

For the past two years, she has been teaching math and science at the newly-opened St. Michael Academy in Nolensville and she has tutored students in middle and high school math and science courses, executive functioning and English.  Her clients have included students from Ensworth Middle & High, Harpeth Hall, Franklin Road Academy, and various homeschoolers. 

Prior to her college career--for three years--Mrs. Hall was a herpetologist at the Nashville Zoo, where she was responsible for the daily husbandry and care of animals on and off exhibit. Her responsibilities included reptile, amphibian, bat keeper, and feeder insect breeding. At the zoo, she educated the public through Keeper Talks and she is a member of the Nashville Zoo’s enrichment committee. She also interned at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga as a herpetology assistant where she handled the husbandry of freshwater turtles. 

Mrs. Hall is an accomplished athlete. In college, she was a Division I cross country and track athlete. At Father Ryan, she was an assistant coach for girls’ soccer and track and field. Blended into her busy schedule as a wife and mother of three young children, she also physically trains and weight lifts. 

Katie Hoepfner joined Ironwood Academy to teach middle and high school math during the 2023-2024 school year.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Level Education, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Teaching and Learning, from Illinois University where she graduated with honors.  Katie has over eleven years of experience teaching math in grades 6th through 9th.  Before starting at Ironwood, she taught Pre-Algebra, Honors Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1 at The Ensworth School in Nashville.  Previously, she taught 8th grade math in the Rutherford County School system.  From 2013 to 2019, Katie taught 6th grade math in the Pontiac, Illinois CCSD, where she created two interdisciplinary STEM units and served on the Illinois Math & Science Partnership Program.  She began her teaching career in the Urbana, Illinois school system teaching 7th grade math.  When she is not teaching, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband Chris, her son Murphy, and their dog, Sadie.

 Mrs. Amy Skillicorn has joined Ironwood Academy for the 2024-2025 academic year.  She will teach social studies to our middle/upper elementary students and one math course.  Mrs. Skillicorn graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics.  She also earned a Post Baccalaureate Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Master of Arts degree from the University of Georgia.  Mrs. Skillicorn is presently completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Latin from the University of Florida.  She expects to earn her Ph.D. in May 2025.   Most recently, Mrs. Skillicorn taught at Ensworth Middle School in Nashville for the past six years.  At Ensworth, she designed and implemented curriculum, including creating gamification activities for her students, and she was the World Languages Department Chair.  Given her extensive educational background and experience in ancient civilizations, Latin, Greek culture, and the Classics, Mrs. Skillicorn is uniquely qualified to teach our upper elementary school history courses.   In addition to her classroom experience, Mrs. Skillicorn’s online educational business has created 182 products with cutting-edge Google slide games, gamification apps, and digital escape rooms.  No doubt our student can expect to have an innovative and engaging learning experience with her.  She has sold voluminous teaching content through TeachersPayTeachers where her educational tools are in great demand.  She regularly tutors elementary and middle school students in Math, Science, and Social Studies.  She began her teaching career in Macon, Georgia where she taught Latin and AP Latin at a private academy; there she also coached students who yearly placed in the National Latin Exam, National Classical Etymology Exam and the National Latin Vocabulary Exam.  Mrs. Skillicorn is a frequent speaker at educational conferences sharing her knowledge of classroom transformations, gamification, and student engagement.  

Angela Madaline-Johnson joined the Ironwood faculty in 2023, teaching Theatre Arts to all grades.  Ang holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina and has been a member of the Actors’ Equity Association.  A professional actor for over 25 years, Ang has worked Off-Broadway and in regional theatres throughout the US, as well as television and film. In Nashville, she has performed with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre and Street Theatre Company. As a teaching artist with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Ang has taught master classes to middle and high schools throughout the state of TN.  She has also served as an audition coach for Oakland High School in Murfeesboro, a director/instructor for Acting All Around, and as a private acting coach. As an educator, Ang aims to effectively guide her students towards “out of the box” creative thinking, providing them with the skill sets necessary to perform publicly with ease and comfort.  She enjoys leading students through the process of character discovery and development, and watching new performers move out of their personal comfort zones into live performance. 

Ang is a Philadelphia native who came to Nashville by way of New York City and San Rafael, CA.  When she isn’t teaching or performing, she can be found songwriting, playing with her dog, Sorella, or at a lacrosse game supporting her husband, “Coach” Mike, and sons, Murphy (16) & Mack (11). Ang and her family are active members of Southpointe Community Church in Nolensville.

We are delighted and proud to announce that Ms. Kathy Boyd will return to Ironwood Academy to teach Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 academic year.  She attended Belmont University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as a Masters of Education degree, from Middle Tennessee State University.  Kathy has 38 years of teaching experience in public and private schools, including Ironwood Academy.  She retired from teaching First Grade at Christ Presbyterian Academy in 2022, where she was a beloved member of their faculty.  In 2013, Kathy was selected as Teacher of the Year for the Franklin Special School District (FSSD).  Kathy is a member of Brentwood Methodist Church and an active member of the D.A.R. Old Glory Chapter, as well as being a sustaining member of the Junior League of Nashville. She has two grown children and one grandchild, her precious Violet.  In her free time, Kathy helps care for Violet and she loves bike riding, drawing and painting and Pilates.  

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Rebekah Vance has joined Ironwood Academy to teach Spanish I and Spanish II to our high school students. Mrs. Vance has 13 years of teaching experience in both private and public school settings. She graduated with honors from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Spanish and she is pursuing a Master of Educational Leadership, expecting to graduate in December. In addition, she has earned the Highly Certified teacher (grades 7-12) designation in both English and Spanish from the State of Tennessee.

Most recently, Rebekah taught 8th grade ELA and Spanish at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. From 2017-2020, she was the Executive Director of Homework Hotline and she still enjoys tutoring students who need extra support in Spanish and ELA. For five years prior, she taught English I and English I Honors at Franklin Road Academy. Rebekah began her teaching career at David Lipscomb High School and Wright Middle School. Mrs. Vance and her husband have a son, Jonas.