Visionary leadership and lasting impact: Ann Teaff’s legacy at Harpeth Hall recognized with honorary award

Ann Teaff began her career in education in the classroom. Each day, through her love of history and English, she taught her students to see the stories that shaped the world. 

When Ms. Teaff joined Harpeth Hall as the head of school in 1998, her dedication to understanding the past steeped her in the school’s story. For nearly two decades, Ms. Teaff wove the narrative of Harpeth Hall’s valued all-girls tradition with a bold vision for the school’s future, transforming Harpeth Hall into one of the country’s premier independent schools. 

Now, as the recipient of one of Harpeth Hall’s most distinguished honors, she has become a celebrated part of the school history she so skillfully helped to shape.

In reflection of her unwavering commitment to Harpeth Hall and her distinguished career in education, Ms. Teaff was honored at Harpeth Hall’s 2024 Leadership Dinner with the Louise "Dede" Bullard Wallace Award. The award recognizes individuals who embody the qualities of dedication, leadership, and service that Dede Wallace, Class of 1953, exemplified throughout her life. Ms. Teaff joins a distinguished group of past recipients, each recognized for their lasting contributions to the school.

Ms. Teaff’s leadership at Harpeth Hall spanned nearly two decades, from 1998 to 2014, a tenure marked by her visionary guidance and deep devotion to uplifting young women. Under her direction, Harpeth Hall strengthened academic programs, innovated in areas of technological advancement, enhanced professional development, and elevated the school’s mission. Ms. Teaff also led the school through two successful capital campaigns that beautified, modernized, and expanded campus. 

In the words of a past board chair Jean Ann Banker, Ms. Teaff had a “far-reaching vision, boundless energy, and the biggest heart” of anyone she had ever known.

‘The house that Ann built’

Ms. Teaff arrived at Harpeth Hall during a time of expansive globalism and rapid technological growth. A gifted educator who began her career teaching English and history at University School of Nashville and Garrison Forest School in Owings, Maryland, Ms. Teaff came to Harpeth Hall focused not just on what was happening in the Nashville market but on the advancements in education taking place nationally. Her goal was always to move Harpeth Hall forward in a way that expanded the boundaries of what girls and young women could dream and achieve. 

Ms. Teaff turned heads when she introduced the 1:1 laptop program at Harpeth Hall, making the school the first in Tennessee to provide a computer to each student. She worked with three other school heads to establish the Online School for Girls (now One Schoolhouse), pioneered Harpeth Hall’s Center for STEM Education for Girls, increased school enrollment by more than 25%, and instituted student international exchanges — among many other achievements.

“I heard her described once as dynamic, and I went, ‘That's it — she is dynamic,’ ” said Mary Lea Gibson Bryant ‘72, a past trustee and former director of the middle school. “And I mean that in all the ways. She was always moving. Her brain was always moving. Her thought process and her ability to be at 30,000 feet and yet be right there in the classroom with the kids when she visited was really remarkable. She was positive always — and she still is positive. And she just brought to us a new sense of energy that came to her so naturally.”

No corner of campus was left untouched under Ms. Teaff’s leadership. Thanks to the gifts of many generous donors, the campus grew from 33.6 to 44 acres, and the endowment grew from $7.8 million to $40 million. She worked with the board of trustees to launch successful capital campaigns that led to the construction of the Daugh W. Smith Middle School, the Ann Scott Carell Library, the Patton Visual Arts Center, the Dugan Davis Track and Soccer Complex, the Athletic and Wellness Center and improvement of other facilities, as well as the renovation and naming of the Hortense Bigelow Upper School. Shortly before Ms. Teaff’s retirement in 2014, the Metropolitan Council recognized her by naming May 1, 2014, Ann Teaff Day in the city of Nashville.

“I told her when she retired, I said, when they write the history of this school, they are going to say, ‘This is the house that Ann built,’ ” Harpeth Hall media arts and English teacher Joe Croker said. 

A legacy of love

In addition to shaping Harpeth Hall’s strategic direction, Ms. Teaff was known for her personal investment in the lives of students, faculty, and alumnae. Her approach to education — centered on building relationships, fostering curiosity, and nurturing leadership — left an indelible mark on the school.

“Ann had this way of holding the bar very high,” said current Head of School Jess Hill, who taught and served as director of the upper school during Ms. Teaff’s tenure. “She did that for herself, but she also did that for others. It wasn't so much that she was expecting everyone to rise to that bar, but she knew they could do it. 

“She believed in their ability, and she always thought more of their ability sometimes than they did of themselves. And so we all rose to the occasion. We worked hard. We wanted Harpeth Hall to be a better school.”

Ms. Teaff’s legacy at Harpeth Hall is one of grace, strength, and enduring impact. Her late husband, Don McPherson, was a loyal supporter of Harpeth Hall and, most importantly, of Ann. She led with a steady hand and a deep belief in the potential of every young woman who walked through the doors and every faculty member who taught at the school — and her influence continues to be felt in every corner of our community. 

The Winterim Travel Fund, which assists girls receiving financial aid with expenses related to Winterim academic travel and international exchange, was given at the time of Ms. Teaff’s retirement by the Henry Laird Smith Foundation and the Warner family. Ms. Teaff and Mr. McPherson created The Corinne Sphire and Joseph Teaff Scholarship Fund in Ann’s parents’ names to provide tuition assistance for young women with financial need, as well as The Faculty Innovation Fund to provide resources for faculty who wish to launch a creative and innovative concept meant to enhance teaching and learning in the 21st-century classroom.

Perhaps Ms. Teaff’s daily presence is felt most in the school’s mission itself, which she helped to crystalize and solidify into the phrase that endures today. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of Harpeth Hall students to think critically, lead confidently, and live honorably.

About the Louise “Dede” Bullard Wallace Award

Harpeth Hall seeks to honor individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the School. The Louise “Dede” Bullard Wallace Award was established in 1969 for this purpose. Dede Bullard was a member of the original student body on Harpeth Hall’s Green Hills campus. She graduated in 1953 — the school’s second graduating class — and was chosen Lady of the Hall that year. While at Harpeth Hall, she helped establish the spirit of this new school by being involved in all phases of campus life. As an alumna, she entered the Nashville community with the same spirit of involvement. After her untimely death in October 1969, the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees established an award in her memory.

The award is presented periodically to recognize conspicuous achievements and contributions to Harpeth Hall. Since its first presentation in 1974 to Dr. Martha Overholser Hammonds, 23 individuals have been honored with this award, including the most recent honoree, former Head of School Ann Teaff.

“She could just communicate the vision,” Honorary Trustee Varina Frazer Buntin ‘61 said of Ms. Teaff. “She’s enthusiastic, and she’s good with people. She made you want to participate and be a supporter of Harpeth Hall and make it a better place.”

Past Dede Bullard Wallace Award Recipients

2024: Ann Teaff

2019: Adelaide Grace Davis ’79

2016: Peggy Smith Warner ’54

2014: Martha Rivers Ingram and Robin Ingram Patton ’84

2009: Ann Scott Carell*

2007: Jean Ann Stewart Banker

2001: Carol Clark Elam ’66*

2000: Patty Litton Chadwell WB ’35*

1999: Jacqueline Glover Thompson ’64

1998: Lindy Beazley Sayers

1997: Susan McKeand Baughman ’56*

1993: Mary Schlater Stumb ’53  

1989: Britton and Norris Nielsen

1987: Robert W. Kitchel 

1986: Polly Jordan Nichols ’53*  

1985: Tracy Caulkins Stockwell ’81 

1983: Jeanne Pilkerton Zerfoss WB ’43* 

1982: Mary Elizabeth Cayce WB ’28*   

1980: Polly Fessey WB ’43*   

1979: Idanelle McMurry ’43* 

1977: Daugh W. Smith*

1974: Martha Overholser Hammonds* 

*Deceased