Terry Morris serves as Executive Director of Ironwood Academy. She has over 35 years experience in entrepreneurial non-profit leadership, as well as corporate strategy and development experience with global, publicly-traded companies. For 20 years, she held various executive leadership positions with a German healthcare company, a Dallas-based real estate conglomerate, and she was a capital markets consultant to PricewaterhouseCoopers for its Fortune 100 clients.  In 2011, Terry and a small group of parents and teachers founded Ironwood Academy as a rigorous college-prep tutorial for middle and high school homeschool students in the Nashville area. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors and co-administers the program with Lynn Peck. Terry was selected for the Governor's Task Force on Alternative Education Models for the State and she has advised other local area private schools and non-profits on compliance matters, transparency, and governance best practices. Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas. She is a Tennessee-certified teacher and, as a single mom, homeschooled her own son, Stephen, who graduated from the University of Tennessee and now lives and works in Knoxville. 

Joshua Straub, Ph.D. is a husband, dad, and teacher. By trade, Josh is a speaker, author, and family and leadership coach. A champion of human empathy, Josh leads Famous at Home, a company equipping leaders, organizations, military families, and churches in emotional intelligence and family wellness. Josh also is a Fellow of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling. As a marriage and family coach and consultant, and professor of child psychology / crisis response, Josh coaches leaders to be famous at home so they can thrive on their stage. He also speaks regularly for Joint Special Operations Command and serves military families across the country.

Josh is author/ coauthor of six books including Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well and coauthor, along with his wife Christi, of their first children’s book, What Am I Feeling? and family Bible study, Homegrown: Cultivating Kids in the Fruit of the Spirit. He and Christi also host the In This Together podcast, and in partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources, are the creators of TwentyTwoSix Parenting, a community of parents growing together to encourage the spiritual growth of their kids.

Most of all, Josh loves spending time with his family on the lake, training their disobedient puppy, and watching their kids crush karaoke on a stage built in their dining room.

Elizabeth Elfers joined Ironwood Academy in 2021 to teach English to our high school students.  She also teaches our high school EQ course.  Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University in English and Theology, where she graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors).  She also has a Master of Theological Studies degree, summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University Divinity School where she was a Founders Medalist.  In addition, in 2011, she was a Fellow in the Vanderbilt University Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership.

Elizabeth has extensive experience in teaching, administrative leadership, and youth mentoring.  Most recently, from 2015-2020, she was Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life at Father Ryan High School in Nashville.  In her leadership role, Elizabeth provided direction and oversight of student service opportunities such as Room in the Inn, Special Olympics, and Relay for Life, as well as overseeing student mission trips.  Prior to her tenure at Father Ryan, Elizabeth facilitated youth and adult volunteer opportunities as Co-Director of Lydia’s House in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She previously served as Associate University Minister at the University of San Diego for four years facilitating domestic and international immersion experiences for college students, leading faith-sharing groups and providing one-on-oe spiritual direction.  Elizabeth taught Great Books and Theology at Pope John Paul II High School and was a Writing Consultant at Vanderbilt University’s English Language Center tutoring international students. Her extensive classroom experience in all grade levels, combined with her passion for reading, writing, and providing leadership development for youth and young adults, makes Elizabeth a tremendous addition to Ironwood Academy’s dream team faculty.  She and her husband, Jim, who is a Spanish teacher at Pope John Paul II High School, have been married seven years and are the proud parents of a five-year-old daughter, Margie, and a three-year-old son, Oscar.  In her free time, Elizabeth volunteers for the homeless through Room in the Inn and other charitable organizations.  She is a Franklin, Tennessee native and her entire family is local.  Elizabeth plays guitar, enjoys live music, and she loves reading, especially works by Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, and J.K. Rowling.

Catherine Gunter joined Ironwood Academy in 2021 with over 20 years of experience teaching science to middle and high school students.  Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, as well as a Masters of Education degree in Secondary Science Education, from the University of Georgia.  

Most recently, Catherine taught Chemistry and AP Chemistry at Franklin Road Academy as a long-term substitute teacher, in addition to privately tutoring area middle and high school students in math, science, Spanish II, and study skills.  Catherine’s middle school teaching experience includes sixth grade science at J.T. Moore Middle School and fifth and sixth grade science at The Covenant School. At the high school level, she taught regular, advanced, and honors Chemistry at Ravenwood High School.  Catherine began her teaching career at Providence High School in Charlotte, NC, where she taught regular, advanced, and honors Chemistry.  There she received the First Year Teacher of the Year award.  Catherine is proficient in intermediate Spanish and is a Tennessee state-certified teacher with a “highly qualified” endorsement in Chemistry for grades 7-12.  Catherine and her husband, Oliver, have lived in the Nashville area for 15 years where he is a Professor of Surgery at Vanderbilt University.  They have two sons, David (17) and Marshall (16), who keep the family busy going to travel soccer games throughout the southeast.  When not on the pitch, her family enjoys time on the lake with friends, entertaining, and traveling. 

Kelly Barrett joined Ironwood Academy once again in 2023 to teach Human Anatomy to our high school upper classmen.  Kelly was one of the co-founders of Ironwood Academy in 2011, along with a small groups of teachers and parents alongside Terry Morris.  She has a broad science background, having previously taught physical science, biology, marine biology, chemistry, and physics to homeschool students in 8th through 12th grades.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bowling Green State Universty in Ohio, graduating with honors.  She also has a Master's in Education degree from Alfred University in New York, specializing in secondary education and biology.  Kelly has previously taught at Page Middle in the Williamson County School District and Father Ryan High School in Nashville.  Kelly and her husband, Eric, have three children: Jackson (married to Anna), Bridget (married to Tristen), and Ryan.  She enjoys reading, working out, embroidery, and spending time with her family.

Wendy Conner teaches math and science in our early elementary program.  Wendy has been teaching for 18 years. Most recently, she taught third grade math and science at Pegram Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School where she was voted Teacher of the Year for 2019-20. Mrs. Conner is passionate about students learning in an environment of exploration and play. She started and maintained a school garden teaching students math and science concepts in an outdoor classroom. She also initiated Makerspace learning and mentored other young teachers in using it in their classrooms.

Wendy was instrumental in building Ironwood’s elementary and middle school science programs.  Previously, she taught fourth grade and middle school science at Nashville Christian School where she was voted Teacher of the Year for 2006-2007. She began her teaching career as a fifth grade teacher at Meigs Magnet School in Nashville. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science degree and teaching certificate from Trevecca Nazarene University.  Wendy and her husband, Glenn, have been married for 30 years and they have two children:  Abby, an Ironwood Academy alumna and graduate of Lee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design; and Aiden, who is 14 years old. Wendy is a member of Rolling Hills Church in Nashville and enjoys working with their ministries to women and children in crisis. In her free time, Wendy enjoys gardening, cooking and reading. She also loves traveling and hiking with her family. 

Melanie Lemon joined Ironwood Academy in 2021 to teach Language Arts in the elementary program.  Melanie is a Tennessee state-certified teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, as well as a Master of Education degree, with an emphasis in administration and supervision, from Middle Tennessee State University.  Previously, Melanie taught second and fourth grades at Walnut Grove Elementary for seven years.  From 1999 to 2005, she taught at Erma Siegel Elementary School in Murfreesboro.  Melanie began her teaching career in Georgia, having taught third and sixth grades there before moving to Tennessee. She has been a member of Franklin First United Methodist Church for 18 years and a community volunteer and leader for a local non-profit group.  Melanie and her family enjoy being outside. Her daughter attends Western Kentucky University and her son attends Mississippi State University. Melanie enjoys spending time with family and friends. Melanie enjoys volunteering, walking, hiking, and cooking when she's not teaching.  

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 27 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.

Abbie Hays joined Ironwood Academy as an instructor for the 2023-2024 school year of our second grade class.  Most recently, Abbie taught second grade for five years at a charter rewards school in the Metro Nashville school system.  She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham method for reading instruction.  As a Nashville native, Abbie graduated from Harpeth Hall high school and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University, with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies.  She has been married for three years to her high school sweetheart, Wilson Hays, and they have a son, Huck.  When she is not teaching, Abbie loves spending time with her husband, their son, and their boxer Nala.  She enjoys walking, reading and creating beautiful flower arrangements.

Julie Lankford joined Ironwood Academy in 2021 as an elementary teacher.  She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education in homeschooling and in public school for 20 years.  Julie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Baylor University and is a certified Tennessee teacher.  For eight years, Julie taught kindergarten and pre-kindergarten in the Metro Nashville Public Schools having previously served as a substitute teacher.  She has written curriculum for Lifeway Christian Resources and designed a pre-K curriculum guide for teachers.  She is the Preschool Choir Director for Nashville First Baptist Church, a position she has held for over 30 years.  In addition, Julie is a clinician at music workshops and has written music education curriculum for Growing in Grace.  She worked with the Nashville Children’s Choir (Belmont Academy) for twelve years and traveled with the NCC’s touring choir.  Julie has been homeschooling for 17 years and has helped many families get started homeschooling using a tutorial.  She has taught parenting classes on how to integrate math and language into everyday activities and conducted continuing education workshops for early childhood teachers.  The Lankfords were one of the instrumental families at Ironwood Academy when it was founded in 2011.  Her daughter, Caroline, attended Ironwood Academy and is now a senior at Lee University majoring in Nursing, with a minor in Spanish.  When she is not teaching, Julie enjoys walking and hiking, singing, working jigsaw puzzles, riding roller coasters, and traveling with her children. 

Marcie Kindred joined Ironwood Academy to teach digital arts during the 2022-2023 school year.  Marcie is an artist and an educator with over 20 years experience in the professional world of corporate and commercial photography and branding.  She is well-versed in studio and on-location work where she has used her talents to partner with Fortune 500 companies and a broad range of businesses.  Her clients include Vanderbilt University, Northrop Grumman, and Tractor Supply Company, as well as local businesses, design firms, hospitals, and nonprofits in the surrounding Nashville area.  

Marcie holds a Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and she began teaching in 2017.  She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in photography and a second BFA in Art with an emphasis in graphic design.  When not behind the camera, Marcie enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids in the great outdoors.