MBA welcomes newest members of faculty and staff for 2025-26

Montgomery Bell Academy is excited to welcome to campus our newest faculty and staff members with skills and expertise covering a wide variety of areas.

Clete McLeod

Clete McLeod joins MBA as our new Director of Performance, Strength and Conditioning. A veteran strength and conditioning coach and sports nutritionist, Clete brings more than 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics, specializing in football and power-athlete development. Most recently, he served as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at the University of South Dakota, where he also taught university courses and managed staff, facilities, and nutrition programs.

Over the course of his career, Clete has held key roles at several institutions, including the University of Nebraska, Southern Illinois University, Oregon State University, Southeast Missouri State, and Northern Illinois University. He also brings international experience as a sports medicine advisor in Bahrain and is a U.S. Army veteran. Clete holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, dual Bachelor’s degrees in Physical Education and Agriculture, and certifications from NSCA, USA Weightlifting, and USATF.

 

Brian Sneed is joining our math department and will be teaching Algebra I and Algebra II and serving as a Varsity Football Assistant Coach. He is an experienced educator, administrator, and football coach with a B.S. in Mathematics from Centre College, where he was a standout student-athlete and team captain. Brian joins us from Pope John Paul II Preparatory School, where he served as Head Football Coach the last three seasons and was on staff before that as an assistant for some of the program's recent historic achievements: its first playoff win and a state semifinal appearance. In addition to his coaching accomplishments, he has held roles as Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Athletic Director, and has taught both math and physical education.

Brian grew up in Middle Tennessee and currently lives in Hendersonville with his wife, Diane, and their four children: Lucy, Lila, Bo, and Alice. Having seen the excellence of MBA as an outsider from growing up in the area, he is excited to be a part of it.

 

 

Travis Gilmore joins us as our new Earth Science and Physics teacher. He is a geologist and educator with a B.S. and M.S. in Geology from UCLA, where he also served as a Teaching Assistant and Instructor for an interdisciplinary freshman course on the evolution of the cosmos and life on Earth. His academic and teaching experience spans a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, astronomy, geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology. He will also be helping us develop programming around the Long Mountain observatory.

Travis is excited to join MBA’s Envirothon program this year and looks forward to building on the school’s strong tradition in the competition. A passionate outdoorsman, he enjoys camping and backpacking in his free time and is eager to explore all that Tennessee has to offer.

 

 

Josh Harmon joins MBA this year as a Spanish I teacher and a Varsity Football Assistant Coach. A recent graduate of Hamilton College, Josh majored in Hispanic Studies and Public Policy and played football as a quarterback-turned-wide receiver. Josh brings a deep passion for language, mentorship, and student growth to the classroom. With experience coaching youth, he is committed to shaping young people both academically and personally – drawing on the lessons of teamwork, resilience, and character he developed on and off the field.

 

 

Xander Odeneal joins MBA as a Physics teacher and will assist with Junior School Swimming. He is an experienced science teacher and educational leader with a strong background in both classroom teaching and departmental leadership at the secondary level in the UK. Most recently, he served as Deputy Head of Science and Deputy Head of Year 13 at Salesian School, where he led data-driven interventions, improved student outcomes, and implemented strategic teaching practices. He also served as Physics Subject Lead for a multi-academy trust, supporting professional development across schools. With a B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics, a PGCE in Science Education, an M.A. in Education, and ongoing doctoral work focused on student motivation, Xander brings both subject expertise and a deep commitment to student progress, teacher development, and evidence-based education.

When away from campus, Xander can likely be found on a pickleball court or softball field near you as an avid recreational athlete. He also carries his love for learning outside of the classroom too, constantly looking for new skills to teach himself like - he did during the pandemic, learning how to cut his own hair and not having gone to a barber since!

 

 

Tyler Shaw is joining our Visual & Performing Arts Department this year as our new Choir teacher. A dedicated music educator, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Belmont University with a focus on vocal instruction. Most recently, he served as the Choir Director and Music Teacher at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN, where he founded and expanded a thriving middle and upper school choral program, led students to statewide honors, and organized major performances in collaboration with fellow music faculty. With experience in both middle and high school settings, Tyler brings a strong foundation in vocal technique, ensemble leadership, and music theory, and remains an active member of MTVA and NAfME.

Tyler has been very impressed with the choral program at MBA and looks forward to its continued success and growth.

 

 

Tanner Parker joins MBA as a Biology teacher after completing his B.S. in Biological Sciences Education at Brigham Young University this April. He will also be helping out with High School Cross Country and Track and Field. Tanner’s teaching experience includes a student teaching placement in 9th grade biology at Aldine Ninth Grade School, where he created engaging, inquiry-based lessons using the 5E and 3-Dimensional science teaching models. He has also served as an academic advisor and research director for underserved youth at Oasis Ascent, a teaching assistant in plant biology at BYU, and a Romanian immersion instructor at the Missionary Training Center.

Outside of the classroom, Tanner enjoys playing the piano and hiking. Last year, he accomplished his goal of running a marathon, and he enjoys continuing to find new ways to challenge himself physically and mentally.

 

 

Mauro, a member of MBA’s Class of 2021, is returning to campus to teach Introduction to Physical Science and assist with the Crew Program. He recently graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, where his studies included advanced coursework in Quantum Mechanics, General Relativity, and the Physics of Music.

During his time at Duke, Mauro was deeply involved in the university’s music community – performing with the Duke Jazz Ensemble, organizing and playing in events through Jazz@ Duke, and composing large-ensemble jazz pieces as a Benenson Award recipient. He also played trombone in the Duke Marching Band and completed an Ethics Fellowship at the Kenan Institute for Ethics.

Mauro was also involved in planning an annual hiking trip for first year orientation at Duke, and in his free time, he enjoys running and cooking.

Not Pictured: Mark Sutton and AnnMarie Patterson

Mark Sutton joins Montgomery Bell Academy’s Admissions Department, Dean of Students Office, and Athletics program with more than two decades of experience in independent school education in the Nashville area. He has held leadership roles at Brentwood Academy, Ensworth School, and Franklin Road Academy, specializing in admissions, student life, fitness, and athletics. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a master’s degree in exercise science from Middle Tennessee State University.

A familiar face to MBA, Mark previously served the school from 2002 to 2007 and has most recently contributed as the Varsity Tennis Head Coach. His passion for working with young people, combined with his expertise in athletics and student development, make him a valuable addition to the community.

Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Mark is married to Karen and has two children, Eli and Sadie. Outside of work, he enjoys tennis, fitness, and service. Mark is excited to return to MBA and once again be part of the relationships, traditions, and energy that make the school such a special place.

AnnMarie Patterson joins our World Languages Department and will teach 8th grade Latin. AnnMarie brings international experience and expertise in classical languages and culture. She is completing her Ph.D. in Classics at the University of Southern California, where she also earned her M.A., and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara. AnnMarie has taught at the university and high school levels across the U.S. and abroad, including immersive programs in Rome with the Paideia Institute. She is passionate about making the ancient world accessible and engaging for all learners and enjoys exploring art, traveling, and connecting classical culture to the modern world. AnnMarie and her husband, Tyler, have a daughter, Pia.

Daniel Childs (Athletics - Pictured), Shawna McIntosh (Marketing & Communications - Not Pictured), and Palmer Thombs (Marketing & Communications - Not Pictured) also joined the school mid-year.