Faculty Fellows Program
The Fellows Program at Franklin Road Academy is designed to give one year of training and guided teaching experience to recent graduates considering independent school teaching as a career. The program provides candidates with little teaching experience the opportunity to hone their craft and pedagogy in a supportive environment while engaging with our students inside and outside the classroom. Faculty fellows will work daily alongside a mentor teacher, and they will be treated as colleagues. The Fellows Program is designed with a scaffold approach that allows for increased responsibility throughout the school year.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary
- Furnished housing, internet, and utilities
- Opportunity to enroll in health, dental, life, vision, and long-term disability plans
- Opportunity to enroll in health savings accounts to offset the cost of certain health costs.
Faculty Fellow applications for 2026-27 are now open!
The application for the 2026–27 Faculty Fellows Program is now live! We look forward to welcoming a new cohort of emerging educators who are passionate about learning, collaboration, and contributing to the FRA community. The application deadline is Friday, January 23, 2026. Applicants advancing to the next round will be invited to participate in on-campus interviews on Monday, February 9. For questions about the program or application process, please contact Shannon Murphy via email.
ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENTS
- During the school year, each fellow will be paired with a mentor teacher in their discipline to collaborate on lesson planning, academic feedback, curriculum design, and classroom instruction.
- When appropriate, fellows will assume instructional duties in one or two of their mentor teachers’ classrooms.
- Fellows will serve as members of one of the three school divisions, attending all-faculty meetings and professional development days.
- Fellows will help students in small groups and in one-on-one tutorial sessions, both during the afternoon tutorial period or study hall and as a supplement to their mentor teacher’s classes when appropriate.
CO-CURRICULAR ASSIGNMENTS
- Fellows will assist or help lead co-curricular activities each season.
- Head coaches will serve as additional mentors to the fellows, helping them develop their leadership and program-building skills outside the classroom.
- Fellows will participate in spring experiential learning trips and opportunities, helping lead students on mission trips, coordinating local learning endeavors, and assisting with chaperone duties.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Fellows will participate in regular teaching seminars led by a local university professor. This local expert also observes teaching four times a year. During seminar sessions, fellows will focus on both philosophical and practical topics, helping them develop their own teaching philosophies while also building proficiency in classroom management, assessment, feedback, lesson design, and instruction delivery.
2025-26 Faculty Fellows
Jalen Sueing
Mentor Teacher: Dr. Cindy Thornton
Upper & Middle School Arts
Jalen Sueing is thrilled to be a second-year Faculty Fellow in the Middle and Upper School Art Department. Jalen grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended high school at Ensworth. At Ensworth, he played football and lacrosse while working up to and completing AP studio art. Jalen earned a B.A. in Art from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the past year, he has been a long-term sub for Lower School Art at FRA.
Jalen will assist in performing arts/set design, middle school football, and lacrosse. In his free time, he enjoys movies, games, drawing, and spending time with loved ones. He is excited to meet and join the FRA community!
Emily O'Leary
Mentor Teacher: Savannah Carpenter
Sixth Grade Science
Emily O’Leary serves as a Faculty Fellow in sixth-grade science. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of South Carolina. As a Faculty Fellow, Emily co-teaches sixth-grade science and enjoys designing meaningful lessons that make learning come alive, whether through hands-on experiments, virtual reality field trips, or interactive projects that spark curiosity in her students.
Originally from Nashville, Emily brings her passion for science and discovery to the classroom each day. Outside of teaching, she is deeply involved in student life at FRA, serving as an assistant coach for fifth and sixth-grade girls’ volleyball, seventh and eighth-grade basketball cheer, and middle school track and field. She also advises a group of sixth-grade girls, fostering strong connections and a supportive community. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and cheering on her favorite college sports teams.
Brian Bartle
Mentor Teacher: Christina Theodoru
Upper School Mathematics
Brian Bartle is a Faculty Fellow in the upper school. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. He has spent three years working with students from pre-K through 12th grade across classroom, coaching, and outdoor education environments. Most recently, he served as a substitute teacher in the North Penn School District and as a high school water polo coach and assistant aquatic club coach at Germantown Academy, where he attended high school.
Chayil Garnett
Mentor Teacher: Kaylee Shackleford and Matt Hanson
Upper School Counseling & Middle School Strength and Conditioning
Chayil Garnett is a Faculty Fellow and upper school counselor. A recent graduate of Tennessee State University, he holds both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health. Chayil is a proud member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. He brings a background in athletics, having played quarterback at Auburn University and Tennessee State. He has also worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the last four years at TSU. Chayil will bring that expertise to our football, basketball, and track teams.
Testimonials
“The Faculty Fellows program is intentionally designed to offer a full and authentic immersion into the culture and practices of a leading independent school. The community here welcomes fellows as valued contributors, invests deeply in their development, and models the fulfillment of a sincerely Christ-centered institution.”
Garrett Huyck Former Faculty Fellow, Current FRA Faculty
“The Faculty Fellows program’s gradual, hands-on exposure to teaching in a supportive environment allowed me to develop skills and confidence that can’t be gained in a traditional college classroom. Throughout my fellowship, I felt unwavering support from the entire staff. I am grateful for the confidence, mentorship, and pathway to full time teaching that FRA has provided.”
Kristin Adair Former Faculty Fellow, Current FRA Faculty
“The Faculty Fellows Program offers young educators a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and explore their interests within the world of independent schools. It's mentorship model and flexibility allow fellows to gain valuable experience in teaching, coaching, and school life while being supported by a community that is deeply invested in their success.”
John Harris Former Faculty Fellow, Current FRA Faculty