CONTACT US
High Hopes Preschool & Pediatric Therapy Clinic
301 High Hopes Court
Franklin, TN 37064
615-661-5437 Phone
615-309-8342 Main Fax
615-277-2838 Clinic Fax
Preschool Hours of Operation:
7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Pediatric Therapy Clinic Hours of Operation:
8:00am - 6:00pm, therapy by appointment
Conveniently located off of I-65 in Franklin, Exit 65
VISIT US
Driving Directions
Coming south on I-65:
Take exit 65 & turn right on TN-96 toward Franklin.
Turn left on South Royal Oaks Blvd
Turn left on Creekstone Blvd.
Turn right on to High Hopes Court
High Hopes will be on your left.
Preschool Administration
Lindsey Smith
Director of Education
Phone: 615-550-1444
Email: lsmith@highhopesforkids.org
Lindsey holds a B.A. in English Literature & Law, Justice, and Society and an M.A. in Learning and Teaching, both from Lipscomb University. She has her active teaching certification in Tennessee with an English 7-12 endorsement. She also has an extensive background in early childhood education and compliance.
Taylor Robinson
Admissions Coordinator/School Nurse
Phone: 615-661-5437 ext. 203 or ext. 350
Email: trobinson@highhopesforkids.org
Taylor is a Registered Nurse; she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Auburn University in 2015. She has worked in a variety of settings in Nashville including in Adult Medical Intensive Care Units and Pediatrician offices.
Linda Cairatti
School Administrative Assistant
Phone: 615-550-1438
Email: lcairatti@highhopesforkids.org
Linda joined the High Hopes staff in October, 2011 and has served as a floater,
co-teacher, and now administrative assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois. She is married with two grown daughters and two granddaughters. She enjoys reading and gardening.
Therapy Administration
Kristin Garner, MPT
Director of Clinical Services
Email: kgarner@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1445
Kristin received her BS and MPT from Ohio University in 1997 and 2000. She has been the Director of Clinical Services at High Hopes since 2006. She has worked at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and Children's Hospital of Akron and has experience in acute care, NICU, PCCU, outpatient pediatric clinics, home health and school systems. She has advanced training in PT treatment for premature infants, Toticollis, and Cerebral Palsy. Kristin is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor for PT students.
Anna Brinker
Clinic Office Manager
Email: abrinker@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-721-5575
Anna received her BS in Health Science Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Tennessee Technological University in 2012. Prior to High Hopes, she managed a hearing center in Franklin. Anna has a daughter in the preschool that also receives therapies at High Hopes. She is excited to be working with an amazing team and is looking forward to helping families that need services for their children.
Alison Pinkston
Clininc Intake Coordinator
Email: apinkston@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1451
Alison graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a BA in Literature and Sociology. Her background is in non-profit program services. Alison has a history with High Hopes as the parent of a child who received therapy services. She is thrilled to be working with parents seeking services for their children.
For clinical billing questions, please contact 615-661-8929 and reference your High Hopes account number.
General Administration
Allen Long
Executive Director
Email: along@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1436
Dr. Allen Long, a corporate executive turned educator, joined High Hopes Development Center as executive director in June of 2022. Prior to this appointment, Allen served as associate head of upper school for one year and associate head of lower school for two years at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, TN. During his tenure, Allen oversaw the final construction and opening of the $16.5M fifth-grade wing and the Solly School, a program supporting students with special needs, on the lower campus. In his time with the academy, he remained dedicated to building a strong team focused on a healthy balance of social-emotional-spiritual well-being and rigorous academics. Allen helped solidify the use and implementation of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching evaluation on both the upper and lower campuses and continued to evaluate the organizational structure, making necessary adjustments leading to a better overall experience for students, parents, and faculty. In the summer of 2021, Lipscomb Academy forged a historic partnership with High Hopes Development Center on the lower school campus to better serve children in need of therapeutic services. The partnership allowed the Solly School to be the first school in Middle Tennessee to house speech, physical, and occupational therapy on-site for its students and community members.
Before serving at Lipscomb Academy, Allen worked in Williamson County Schools serving as tenured faculty at Edmondson Elementary School, teaching fourth grade for three years before moving up to fifth grade, where he taught an additional four years. Allen was recognized as Edmondson’s Teacher of the Year in 2017-18 and served as the fifth-grade team lead during the 2018-19 school year. Allen hosted student teachers, aspiring teachers, and teachers new to their position to observe the art and science of effective teaching techniques in the classroom. He facilitated professional learning communities and worked with various teams to improve teaching effectiveness and outcomes. Allen’s relentless belief that all students can learn, holding learners fully accountable and building strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty peers in an environment grounded in student inquiry and wonder led to successful student achievement.
Prior to his career in education, Allen successfully served in Human Resources and various operational capacities for 22 years with various companies including Tractor Supply Company, Carter’s/OshKosh B’Gosh Childrenswear, and Batten | Shaw, Inc. In the corporate context, Allen’s expertise focused on training, organizational development, and performance improvement. Allen was known for his ability to be a strategic human resource partner to operational counterparts, helping individuals and corporations achieve success while realizing greater customer results.
Long holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in Communications and Management, a Master of Business Administration degree from Grand Valley State University, a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction degree from Middle Tennessee State University, a Doctor of Education, Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University where he researched and defended his dissertation on culturally responsive teaching practices.
Long is married to Charla, who is President of the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) and owns Go Long Consulting. Together, Allen and Charla have four children - Grace (22), Elise (20), Charleigh (18), and Alex (17). Their family is actively engaged as members of Harpeth Hills church of Christ in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Brandy Blanton came to High Hopes in December of 2018. Prior to that she was the publisher of Southern Exposure, a magazine she created to celebrate life in Williamson County in 2002. She is also an Alderman at Large for the City of Franklin (elected in 2011) and serves on numerous boards in the community including Leadership Franklin, Franklin Tomorrow, Franklin's Charge, Williamson County Library Foundation, Public Arts Commission, the advisory board for CASA and chairman of the Tree Commission. However, her most cherished role is that of mother to her five children.
Blanton was brought to High Hopes because of her granddaughter, Elliott Grace, who received life-changing therapy from four-weeks-old, until her passing at 4 1/2 years old in 2019. Elliott's little brother, is now a part of the High Hopes family, attending preschool five days a week.
Nan Zierden
Associate Director of Development
Email: nzierden@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-550-1443
A native Mississippian, Nan has lived in Franklin since 2004 and joined High Hopes in September 2022. She has worked in various non-profit organizations, including The Albany Institute of History and Art, The Phoenix Art Museum, The Tennessee Arts Commission, and most recently The Heimerdinger Foundation. She also was a substitute teacher with Williamson County Schools. Nan is the past president of the Arts Council of Williamson County and is on the Franklin Public Arts Commission. She graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in History and earned a master’s degree in Arts Administration from Boston University.
Nan is married and has two high school aged children along with one dog and two cats. In her spare time, Nan enjoys reading, traveling, and skiing.
Melanie is a Middle Tennessee native who joined the High Hopes staff in 2012. An early childhood educator and administrator since 1996, she began her High Hopes career in the preschool, first as assistant director then Director of Education. After serving in that capacity for more than seven years, she moved into her current position as Operations Manager. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in English/Journalism and holds a Master of Management/Nonprofit from Lipscomb University. Melanie is married and has two grown sons. Her spare time is spent reading, writing, and playing golf.
Facilities
Jim Powell
Facilities Manager
Email: jpowell@highhopesforkids.org
Phone: 615-661-5437
Mr. P graduated from the Ringling School of Art and received his substitute teacher's certification from Utah State University. He has 25 years as a sales and marketing executive as well as 40 years as a teacher and coach. He and his wife, Nancy, have one son. Mr. P enjoys drawing, painting, creating, cooking, spending time with Nancy and his grandchildren, and Vanderbilt athletics.
Mendall Blanton, a Kentucky native, moved to Franklin in the late 80s. He spent 25+ years working for his family-owned business, Security Systems of Tennessee, where he installed residential and commercial security systems, security gates and sound systems. He is an avid sports fan who loves his Kentucky Wildcats, the beach, and his family.