Leadership

List of 13 members.

• 

  Prentice Stabler 

  Head of School

  (615) 250-8920

  Princeton University - A.B.
  Columbia University - Teachers College - M.A.
  Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management - M.B.A.

  Read bio

  Prentice Stabler was named Ensworth’s eighth Head of School in 2022. He received his A.B. in History with a certificate in Teacher Preparation from Princeton University, his M.A. in Private School Leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University, and his M.B.A. from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Prentice began his teaching career at McCallie, where he also served as a member of the history faculty and as Varsity Head Crew Coach, Boarding Advisor and Dorm Parent, and Assistant Director of Boarding Admission. In 2013, he joined Franklin Road Academy as the Head of Upper School and served in that role until 2019, when he was appointed Associate Head of School. Prentice and his wife Rhymes have three children, Pace ’33, Ramsay ’35, and Bennett (age 3).
• 

  Ricky Bowers 

  Assistant Head of School; Director of Athletics

  (615) 301-5415

  Samford University
  Lipscomb University - B.A.
  Tennessee State University - M.A.

  Read bio

  Ricky Bowers was named Athletic Director of Ensworth’s High School in May 2002. He served as the Head Coach for both the Varsity Football Team and the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team. In 2009, Ricky was named as an Associate Head of School. He has won numerous coaching awards throughout more than thirty years of coaching and was inducted to the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Bowers earned his Bachelor’s Degree at David Lipscomb University and a Master’s Degree in Administration from Tennessee State University. Ricky and his wife, Debbie, have four children who are alumni of Ensworth: Anna ’08, Richard ’09, Andrew ’13, and Mary Rae ’15.
• 

  Dr. Heather Caponi 

  Associate Head of School

  (615) 301-5374

  Colby College - B.A.
  University of San Diego - M.Ed.
  Arizona State University - Ed.D.

  Read bio

  Dr. Heather Caponi joined Ensworth in 2020 as the Head of Lower School and took on the role of Associate Head of School in 2023. Prior to Ensworth, she worked at Brookfield Academy in Wisconsin beginning in 1995, where she taught 4K, first, third, and fourth grades. She also helped create a resource department in Brookfield’s Lower School for struggling students and headed that department until she became the Assistant Lower School Head and then Primary and Lower School Head. Heather was awarded the Creative Thinking in Management Award from Independent School Management for a teacher growth and learning program she created. Caponi received her B.A. in American Studies from Colby College and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of San Diego with Program Valedictorian Honors. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University. Heather and her husband Chris have three adult children, Christopher, Caroline, and Connor.
• 

  Rebekah Armstrong 

  Director of Enrollment Management

  (615) 301-5348

  University of Tennessee - B.A.
  Vanderbilt University - M.Ed.

  Read bio

  Rebekah Armstrong was named Director of Enrollment Management in 2021. Capps began her career at Ensworth in the summer of 2004, assisting in the Admission and Dean of Students offices during the early years of the High School. She transitioned into the role of Director of Admission for Lower/Middle School in 2007 and has served as Director of Enrollment Management since 2021. Throughout her time at Ensworth, Rebekah has been actively engaged in student life, coaching and chaperoning class trips. She has also been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor since 2016, and she is a member of Midtown Fellowship Church. Capps earned her B.A. in Psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her M.Ed. in Learning and Instruction from Vanderbilt University.
• 

  Angela Claxton 

  Director of Marketing and Communications

  (615) 301-5347

  DePauw University - B.A.

  Read bio

  Angela Claxton joined Ensworth in 2023 as the Director of Marketing & Communications. Prior to Ensworth, Angela served as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Franklin Road Academy, where she was a member of the leadership team and spearheaded marketing, public relations, crisis communications, website, social media, messaging, and media efforts. Angela has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Management from DePauw University and owned her own business for over a decade before entering the independent school world. Angela and her husband Brett have two children, Cash and Cora.
• 

  Nowell Hesse 

  Head of High School

  (615) 250-8913

  University of Georgia - B.S.
  Vanderbilt University - M.Ed.

  Read bio

  Nowell Hesse was appointed Ensworth’s second Head of High School in July 2019. Hesse came to Ensworth from his alma mater, Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. During his sixteen years as an educator at Newman, Nowell held a number of significant roles including Chair of the Science Department, Director of Technology, and Head of Upper School. Hesse graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from the Honors Program at the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Genetics/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and holds a Masters of Education in Independent SchoolvLeadership from Vanderbilt University. Nowell and his wife Alyce have four children, Caitlin ’28, Patrick ’32, David ’33, and Caroline ’34.
• 

  Jason Hiett 

  Director of Technology

  (615) 250-8921

  Tennessee Technological University - B.S.

  Read bio

  Jason Hiett returned to Ensworth in July 2012 as Director of Technology; he previously began at Ensworth as Assistant Director of Technology in 2007 before being named Director of Technology at University School in Shaker Heights, Ohio in July 2010. Prior to that, Hiett served as Director of Technology at Montgomery Bell Academy from 1997 to 2007. He was also an assistant football coach at each of the three schools, serving as part of seven state championship teams over 20 years. Before joining the independent school community, Jason worked in technology at Kimberly-Clark Corporation and at First American National Bank, where he was appointed team leader and given the title of Vice President. Hiett has a BSBA in Management Information Systems from the Tennessee Technological University College of Business Administration. Jason and his wife Joy have two children, Ellis ’23 and Sumner ’26.
• 

  Bedell James 

  Director of Institutional Advancement

  (615) 250-8919

  Lynchburg College - B.A.

  Read bio

  Bedell James has worked in Ensworth’s Office of Institutional Advancement since 2005 and was named Director of Institutional Advancement in July 2019. He serves as staff liaison to the Investment Committee of the Board, overseeing the School’s endowment. Prior to coming to Ensworth, Bedell worked in investment banking as Senior Vice President and Head of Administration at Independence Trust Company, and prior to that he spent six years as Assistant Director of Camp Laney for Boys in Mentone, Alabama. James served for eight years on the Board of Directors for Independence Trust Company and currently serves on the Alumni Council of Darlington School, and is a member of their ad-hoc Board committee relative to endowment fundraising and long term financial sustainability. James graduated from Darlington School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lynchburg College in Virginia. Bedell and his wife Anne have three children, Eb ’23, Tanner ’24, and Foster ’26.
• 

  Dr. Doug Magee 

  Head of Middle School

  (615) 301-5391

  Cairn University - B.S.
  Cairn University - M.S.
  University of Pennsylvania - M.S.
  Vanderbilt University - Ed.D.

  Read bio

  Prior to serving as Head of Middle School, Dr. Doug Magee served Ensworth in a variety of capacities, primarily as the Associate Head of the High School where he provided supervision and oversight of the faculty by working directly with department chairs to promote skills-based teaching and learning. Before coming to Nashville, Dr. Magee served as the Dean of Curriculum, Innovation, and Design at the Church Farm School in Exton, PA. He has also supported various schools, nonprofits, and government agencies including his current role as a member of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's HBCU Success Advisory Board. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cairn University, a master’s degree in independent school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University.
• 

  Dr. Bobby Mirzaie 

  Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Head Boys Cross Country Coach-HS

  (615) 301-8939

  University of Oklahoma - B.A.
  Arizona State University - M.L.S.
  Northeastern University - Ed.D.

  Read bio

  Dr. Bobby Mirzaie came to Ensworth in July 2014 from Phoenix Country Day School in Arizona, where he served for nearly ten years in multiple capacities including History/Social Sciences Chair and Curriculum Committee Co-Chair. Prior to that, Bobby taught at Casady School in Oklahoma City and Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas. Mirzaie currently serves on the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS) Administrator Services Committee. Additionally, he served as Co-Chair of the 2018 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference and has served on several Accreditation Visiting Team Committees. Mirzaie earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Liberal Studies from Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, with a concentration in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leading. Bobby and his wife Jane have two children, Maddie and Mark ’32.
• 

  Kristian Noden 

  Interim Head of Lower School

  (615) 250-8937

  Victoria University - B.A.
  University of Melbourne - M.Ed.

  Read bio

  Kristian joined the Ensworth community in 2021. Before serving as the Interim Head of Lower School, Kristian was the Associate Head of Lower School. In this role, he helped lead the day-to-day operations of the K–5 program. Before coming to Ensworth, Kristian was the Associate Director of the Lower School at San Domenico School in San Anselmo, California. His work in education has primarily been with students in the K-5 space, but he has worked with high school students as both a Head Track and Field Coach and as a residential faculty member in a boarding program. Kristian received his bachelor's degree from Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia and master’s degree from The University of Melbourne. He is currently enrolled in a doctorate in Education at Vanderbilt University.
• 

  Beth Pollard 

  CFO

  (615) 301-5367

  Clemson University - B.S.

  Read bio

  Beth Pollard was appointed Chief Financial Officer at Ensworth in July 2022 and serves as the staff liaison to the Finance and Infrastructure Committee of the Board. Pollard most recently served as the Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations at Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, where she worked for the past sixteen years. She also worked as an Audit Manager with KPMG Peat Marwick in Greenville, South Carolina and has experience in banking and insurance. Beth has served as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees of the Rome Area Council for the Arts and the Northwest Georgia Sexual Assault Center. Beth is currently serving on the Boards of MISBO, Mid-South Independent School Business Officers, and NBOA, National Business Officers Association. Pollard is a Certified Public Accountant. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Clemson University. Beth has three adult children, Michael, Beau and Morgan.
• 

  David Whitfield 

  Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion; English, History and Seminar Teacher-HS

  (615) 301-5378

  Tennessee State University - B.A.
  University of Chicago - M.A.
  Vanderbilt University - M.L.A.S.

  Read bio

  David Whitfield was appointed as Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion in 2020. He joined the Ensworth community in 2006, and since that time, he has been the Seminar Department Chair and has taught in both the History and English departments. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at MBA in a variety of roles: history teacher, Director of Counseling Services, Head of Model UN, and Head of the Advisory Program. Thirty years ago, Whitfield co-founded and became Executive Director of Time to Rise Inc., which provides summer camps for at-risk youth that offer academic and enrichment opportunities along with a character education initiative. In 2009, he established the Kids Academy program, where he trains high school students to be teachers and counselors directing summer camps for younger students from rural areas. Most recently, David developed Tearing Down the Walls, a race and leadership conference for independent school students in the Southeast that affords students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to become leaders in the arena of race relations and inclusion. Whitfield has his B.A. in History from Tennessee State University, his M.A in Social Science from the University of Chicago, and his MALS from Vanderbilt University. David and his wife April have one child, Coltrane, age 5.