Faculty

Levia Abraham has been an early childhood teacher for fourteen years. The past four years, she has excelled as a kindergarten teacher, beloved by her students and families. She is originally from Massachusetts and loves visiting any chance she gets. She spends her summers in Provincetown, MA working for the Provincetown International Film Festival. Film is one of her true passions. She has been married to her husband, Grant, for six years. They love going to the movies and have been members of the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville for several years. They love to spend every weekend in the city record shopping, getting coffee, going to bookshops, going to the Belcourt and going to concerts. She has two fluffy cats named Murphy and Remy. She is excited for this new opportunity, and to teach kindergarteners and first graders at GWA!

I hold a college degree in English and have lived in the Nashville area for the past 18 years. I am the proud parent of two grown children and truly enjoy being part of this community. In my spare time, I love going to the movies, spending time with dogs, cooking, and entertaining family and friends. I look forward to connecting with families and supporting your children throughout the year.

Gracie Refsell is excited to be teaching your children this year at George Washington Academy. She has been teaching for four years and is looking forward to many more in the future. There has always been a love for teaching in her heart and she loves helping young children learn for the first time. When she is not teaching, you can find her at church on Sundays, coaching lacrosse in the fall and spring months and enjoying quality time with her family and friends. 

Ms. Refsell earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Central Michigan University

Jenna Richards is thrilled to join George Washington Academy as a passionate educator. She brings over a decade of teaching experience in Kindergarten through 3rd grade in both public and private school settings. Mrs. Richards is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every student can thrive and feel like part of a team. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling with family, reading, and listening to podcasts. Mrs. Richards also loves just being at home with her husband, 4-year-old son, and their dog, Cosmo. She is so excited to be part of the GWA community and looks forward to a fantastic year of learning and growth!

With over 10 years of experience in both public and private schools, Elena Prince is a dedicated educator with a passion for helping every child reach their full potential. She holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master of Science in Education, and has also worked in curriculum planning and design.

As a mother of three, she values the importance of connecting with each student and creating a supportive, engaging environment. Her goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning in every child she teaches.

Brittany Swinney is a passionate and dedicated educator with over five years of teaching experience. She firmly believes in the power of building strong relationships with her students and fostering meaningful partnerships with their families. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe, loved, challenged, and inspired to grow—both academically and personally.

Ms.Swinney has experience teaching 1st, 4th, and 5th grades, and she brings a wealth of knowledge, energy, and creativity to her teaching practice. Her caring nature shines not only through her dedication to her students but also in the way she nurtures her one-year-old daughter, who is the center of her world.

Brittany holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Sterling College and is thrilled to be joining the George Washington Academy community. She looks forward to an incredible year of learning, growth, and connection!

Amber Kreeger holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Casper College (Class of 2004) and has dedicated the past two decades to working with children and families. As a former foster parent and adoptive mother of six, with two biological children, Amber brings deep, firsthand experience to her work in childhood education and child advocacy.

Over the years, she has volunteered extensively in her church, working with children from birth through elementary age. Her leadership roles have included serving on the Board of Directors for both the Wisconsin Head Start Program and the Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parent Association.

Professionally, Amber has worked as a certified nursing assistant, small business owner, aftercare director, teacher’s assistant, and substitute teacher, roles in which her nurturing presence and commitment to supporting young learners consistently shine. She is especially passionate about creating safe, supportive environments that help children grow, learn, and thrive.

Rooted in strong family values and a heart for service, Amber continues to use her experience to advocate for children and strengthen communities through education.

Carina Fox is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She grew up in Western New York, where she began playing piano at age four, and clarinet at age eight. Growing up in a family of educators, Mrs. Fox knew she wanted to be a teacher at a young age. As her love of music developed, this naturally led to pursuing a degree in Music Education. She furthered her education by earning an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Along with teaching music and chorus, Mrs. Fox has led creative visual art camps for elementary students, and she brings her experience as an athlete and volleyball coach to the P.E. classroom.

Mrs. Fox is passionate about helping students develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning through the arts and physical activity. Above all, Mrs. Fox believes that building relationships is the only way to bring about meaningful change.

Mrs. Fox holds a B.A. in Music Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, both from Lipscomb University. Mrs. Fox teaches Music, Art, and Physical Education at George Washington Academy.