10 New Owls Join our Faculty and Staff
We are thrilled to welcome 10 new Owls to our faculty and staff!
- Ivonne Bentley joins the Department of Mathematics as an Upper School instructor. She brings more than 33 years of experience teaching Algebra I through AP Calculus. Bentley previously served as math department chair and instructional coach at Collierville High School, with earlier teaching roles at Kirby High School and Memphis Catholic High School. An AP Reader since 2019, she holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching and a graduate certificate in mathematics from the University of Memphis.
- Anissa Dalle brings over 25 years of teaching experience to the Lower School English Department. She previously taught seventh-grade English at St. George’s Independent School where she coached writers for the Wordsmith Writing Olympics. At the same time, she coordinated The Writing Center, providing support for middle school students. She taught American Literature at St. Agnes, Business English and communication skills at the University of Memphis and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In addition, she has taught in France and China. Dalle earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of Memphis. She is married to Upper School English Chair Eric Dalle ’93.
- Zach Erickson ’11 returns to MUS as a physical education instructor and defensive coordinator after seven years as a part-time assistant defensive coach. A two-time MUS state champion (2008 and 2009), Erickson gained coaching experience as a defensive assistant at Austin Peay State University and linebackers coach at Baylor School in Chattanooga. He also brings corporate leadership experience from IMC National Accounts. A former Liberty University football scholarship athlete, he earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Covenant College.
- Jerry Pleasants joins the Maintenance Department full-time after three years as an independent contractor at MUS. He specializes in trim, repairs, painting, and challenging millwork requiring an expert’s touch. While employed as a warehouse manager for a local HVAC supplier, Pleasants regularly worked after hours and on weekends to help maintain the school’s campus facilities. The Maintenance Department is excited to welcome him as a full-time member of the team, and he is already making a significant impact in keeping campus spaces presentable and safe.
- Drew Richmond ’15 returns to his alma mater as a physical education instructor, Lower School athletic director, and assistant football coach. A former professional athlete and brand ambassador for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he was nominated for the Canadian Football League’s Tom Pate Award for community engagement. Richmond is the founder of MyPurpose Impact Enterprise, “dedicated to empowering individuals, fostering purpose and advancing global well-being,” and recently served as a student-athlete development assistant at University of Southern California while producing content for the university’s Annenberg Media Center. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from USC.
- James Smythe ’20 returns to his alma mater following teaching experience both internationally and domestically. He earned a bachelor’s degree in film and television with a minor in philosophy and a Master of Science in Education from Fordham University. Smythe worked in New York City classrooms and served as an educational specialist at South Bronx Early College Academy before teaching English at Regina Coeli College in Thailand. He also spent several summers as program director at Kia Kima Scout Reservation.
- After serving as an Owl assistant football coach for three seasons, Brian Stewart steps into a full-time administrative and coaching leadership role as assistant athletic director and football offensive coordinator. With nearly 30 years of athletic experience, he previously served as dean of students and head football coach at Briarcrest as well as athletic director and head coach at Middle Tennessee Christian School, Mobile Christian, and Jackson Christian. A former college baseball player and multiple-time football Coach of the Year, Stewart holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Freed-Hardeman University.
- Caroline Stiefvater joins the Development team as assistant director of Annual Fund. She previously worked as a patient family outreach specialist for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she managed large-scale event logistics and communications. At Mississippi State University, she served as a graduate teaching assistant and led community relations and fundraising initiatives for the American Marketing Association and student led organizations. Stiefvater holds an MBA, BBA, and BA from Mississippi State, where she graduated summa cum laude, and is a proud Memphian.
- Claire van Drimmelen joins the faculty as a Lower School academic support coordinator, bringing eight years of experience building strong school communities and developing young leaders. As a founding faculty member at Mid-South Gifted Academy, she served as director of community experience and director of marketing and enrollment, overhauling operations and strengthening family engagement. Her teaching background includes K–12 enrichment, leadership, and science, and she founded the academy’s Montessori pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, a Montessori Teaching Diploma, and Orton-Gillingham Certification.
- Libby Wall joins the staff as the school nurse, bringing a diverse background in ambulatory nursing, pediatric care, and case management. She most recently served as a home hospice case manager in Memphis, following clinical roles in pre-admission testing at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Collierville and pediatric cardiology step-down care at Indiana University Health. Wall earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University and holds certifications in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
New faculty and staff members: front, Anissa Dalle, Libby Wall, Caroline Stiefvater, Ivonne Bentley, James Smythe ’20, Jerry Pleasants; back, Claire van Drimmelen, Zach Erickson ’11, Drew Richmond ’15, and Brian Stewart.
Embracing a Bold Vision. Building a Bright Future.
Memphis University School is a college-preparatory, independent, day school for boys in Grades 6-12.
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