MEET THE TEAM

Jackie graduated from Western Kentucky University with a dual certification in both Regular and Special Education. After teaching for 15 years, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she gained 10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management. Jackie felt called by God to learn the ins and outs of nonprofit organizations and fundraising, trusting that when the time was right, He would guide her to the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for serving individuals with IDD and her expertise in grant writing and development. In April 2023, Jackie joined Possibility Place as Development Director, where she spent two years building relationships, securing grants, and driving the organization’s mission forward. In February 2025, she became Executive Director of Possibility Place, embracing the role with a deep commitment to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and leading the organization into its next chapter.

Harley has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and worked as a self-contained classroom teacher for 5 years. She then went on to receive her master’s degree in Recreational Therapy and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She has many years of experience working with individuals with special needs, as her younger brother has a chromosomal disorder. She is a huge advocate for inclusion, sharing the love of Christ, and empowering families and caregivers. Harley enjoys spending time with her family, camping, reading and the Nashville Predators.

Katie Neeley is a Murfreesboro native; she graduated from Riverdale High School and earned her bachelor and masters degrees in education from Middle Tennessee State University. She earned her ESL endorsement from Trevecca University. Katie is excited to be returning to education after taking a two and a half year break and working in Ethics and Compliance for an international healthcare company. She previously taught for 8.5 years in Murfreesboro City Schools and Rutherford County. Katie and her husband, Michael, live in Murfreesboro with their son (Haynes), two dogs (Artemis and Nyx), and a cat (Pepper). They enjoy lifting weights, walking the dogs, and spending time with friends and family. A fun fact about Katie is that she is a fifth generation educator in the Rutherford County area.

Scarlett has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Education from MTSU. She has many years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as direct care staff, in management and support coordination. Scarlett believes in kindness as a core value and serving others is a fundamental calling. Scarlett enjoys spending time with her family, reading and trips to the mountains.

Julie graduated MTSU in 2014 with a degree in Organizational Communication with a focus in Nonprofit Organizations, and has worked in the nonprofit sector ever since. Throughout the years, Julie has volunteered at Possibility Place and fell in love with the Pals, mission, and staff. She is blessed and excited to have the opportunity to bring her 12 years of nonprofit development experience to Possibility Place and help create new possibilities for the organization and all the amazing Pals that attend!

Susan feels incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to work with the students at Possibility Place. Susan has lived in Middle Tennessee all her life and graduated from Nashville State Community College with an Associate of Science degree. She worked many years as a Special Education Assistant with Rutherford County Schools and finds it very rewarding helping students achieve their goals. Susan is very active in her church and enjoys camping, gardening and spending time with family.

Sara graduated from MTSU with a Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Studies. She furthered her education by becoming a BCABA. Sara's career has been dedicated to supporting learners of all abilities and ages. Some of her strengths include patience, kindness, and meeting each learner where they are to help them succeed. Sara and her husband are raising a boy and two girls. Her spare time is spent at the archery range or football field.

Kristen was born and raised in Murfreesboro and attended Siegel High School. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Prior to Possibility Place, Kristen taught for five years in Rutherford County. She feels blessed to get to continue her teaching career at Possibility Place. Kristen has always had a heart for loving others and helping everyone feel included. In her free time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and her golden doodle Willa. She also enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with family.

Shelby Melton was born and raised here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in Special Education from Lipscomb University. Before joining Possibility Place, Shelby spent 16 years working in education, including five years as a self-contained special education teacher. Her experience has shaped her passion for building genuine relationships, recognizing individual strengths, and helping others feel valued and supported. When she’s not at work, Shelby enjoys playing pickleball, exploring antique shops, traveling, and cheering on the Tennessee Vols. She is always up for a new adventure—or a good antique store.

Stephanie Hazelwood is the Life Skills and Exercise Teacher at Possibility Place, where she is passionate about supporting adults with disabilities as they build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections. Stephanie brings more than seven years of experience working as a Patient Services Coordinator at Special Kids, a nonprofit organization serving children with special needs and their families. During her time there, she developed genuine, lasting connections with families and gained valuable experience supporting individuals with a wide range of abilities and needs. She is excited to continue this work with adults at Possibility Place and looks forward to creating a positive, encouraging environment where participants can learn, grow, stay active, and discover their own possibilities. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time baking in the kitchen. She values creating meaningful experiences and connections, both in her personal life and through the work she does with others.

Jessie feels blessed to join the Possibility Place family as one of our Program Assistants. Jessie has a heart for serving others and seeing everyone reach their highest potential. After spending many years in corporate customer relations, Jessie is excited to use her skills to help Possibility Place grow and shine. She and her husband are raising two young boys. In her spare time you can find her gardening, planning family trips, and trying new recipes.

Julia Piel was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She graduated in Information Technology from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Smyrna Campus. Julia is currently enrolled at MTSU majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Religious Studies. Known for her kindness, caring nature, and enthusiasm, she enjoys helping others achieve their goals. For the past eleven years, she has been involved in infant, children’s, special needs, and middle school, and high school ministries at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. In her free time, Julia enjoys spending time with friends, participating in Bible study, going on mission trips, and engaging in outdoor activities. She is excited to be a part of the team at Possibilities Place.

Maxx, a Blackman High School alumnus, keeps our team moving! As a key part of our transportation operations, he's dedicated to getting Pals where they need to be. When he's not on the road, Maxx practices Lens Neurofeedback Therapy, demonstrating his passion for both precision and helping others.

Andrew Weeks is a native Tennesseean who received his associate’s degree in Social Work at Roane State Community College in 2023 and bachelor's degree in Social Work at MTSU in 2025. Andrew’s love for the IDD population stems from his relationship with his uncle. He is excited to further his experiences with this population here at Possibility Place. When Andrew is not at work, he enjoys training in the sport of boxing and attending any event he can.

Kevin attended MTSU and earned his bachelor's degree in General Science with a minor in Secondary Education. He then went on to earn a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University and a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. As a former high school science teacher of 15 years, Kevin has worked with students with special needs in a variety of capacities in Rutherford County. He now is a co-founder and counselor at Anchor Creek Counseling where he specializes in couples counseling and trauma-informed counseling using the Murray Method. Kevin holds a temporary license to practice Marriage and Family Therapy in Tennessee and is under the supervision of Jenna Hazlewood, LMFT. He currently serves at LifePoint Church in Smyrna with his wife and two sons. Kevin enjoys cooking, camping, traveling, and live music!

Madison grew up right here in Murfreesboro and is a proud Riverdale High School graduate. She studied Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Mississippi before earning her Master's in clinical mental health counseling from Belmont University. She's currently working toward becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. Working with individuals with special needs has always been close to Madison's heart. Some of her favorite memories come from her summers volunteering at Camp Barnabas, a special camp for children and adults with disabilities. During high school, she spent time as an aide in the special education department, where she loved connecting with her peers. Throughout college, Madison continued supporting the special needs community by helping at local events and providing care for adults with disabilities. These days, Madison works as a mental health counselor at Branches and social media manager. When she's not at work, you can find her and her husband serving at Christ Church Nashville, taking walks outdoors, baking something delicious, dancing, or planning her next adventure.