Location
Microschool Founder
Ariel, founder of Change Makers Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, has over eight years of experience teaching students across diverse learning environments. As a licensed teacher, she has taught 1st-3rd grade science at a project-based charter school, homeschooled neurodiverse students, and served as a middle school science and social studies teacher, a math/reading interventionist, and a K-6 microschool leader during COVID.
Her mission is simple: create joyful learning experiences, build essential life skills, and provide a safe space where students can flourish at their own pace. After seeing too many students lose their natural curiosity and love for learning in traditional education settings, she knew there had to be a better way. She believes the worst thing you can do in education is erase a child’s love for learning—and she’s committed to ensuring that never happens.
7 Reviews on “Change Makers Academy”
Renee
Ariel is one of the most passionate and gifted educators I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. She brings a rare mix of creativity, compassion, and intentionality to everything she does. Watching her build Change Makers Academy has been inspiring—her heart for neurodiverse students and her ability to create joyful, personalized learning experiences is unmatched. Any family that joins this school will not only find a safe, supportive environment but a teacher who truly sees and believes in each child.
June
My daughter came to Change Makers Academy behind in reading and feeling frustrated with school. Within months, she was not only reading on grade level, but she was excited to read. Ariel’s personalized teaching style made all the difference.
But what really blew me away was how she helped my daughter find her voice. She started a little slime business at school and was so proud to sell it to her classmates. She went from shy and discouraged to confident and motivated. I can’t recommend CMA enough for families who want more than just academics; they want growth, creativity, and a school that encourages their child’s interests.
Allison
Before we met Ariel, we were at a loss. My daughter was in 3rd grade, falling behind in reading and math, and her confidence was quickly slipping away. Teachers were telling us she wasn’t trying hard enough or that she was lazy, but as her mom, I knew something deeper was going on. We had tried everything we could think of, but nothing seemed to click.
Working with Ariel changed everything. She saw immediately that my daughter was working hard and that something wasn’t adding up. Ariel was the first person to suggest that she might have dyslexia, and she walked with us through the process of getting her evaluated and receiving the support she truly needed.
Over the next three years, Ariel not only helped my daughter catch up in reading and math, she helped her fall in love with learning again. She brought creativity and fun into every session. My daughter still talks about the “eat it or wear it” challenge and the time she got to spray Ariel with silly string. More importantly, Ariel taught her how to push through hard things, gave her tools for test-taking and anxiety, and helped rebuild her confidence.
Thanks to Ariel, my daughter is now on grade level, believes in herself, and is thriving. I honestly don’t know where we’d be without her.
Alan R
We are beyond grateful for the impact this amazing teacher has had on our children! She tutored our 2nd and 4th grader with such patience, creativity, and genuine care. She has a special gift for meeting each child where they are and making learning both fun and effective. Our kids actually looked forward to their sessions—and that says everything!
She was incredibly organized, encouraging, and always took the time to explain concepts in a way that made sense to each of them. We saw noticeable growth not just in their academic skills, but in their confidence. Her love for teaching truly shines through, and we couldn’t recommend her more highly. A total blessing to our family!
Naomi
I can’t say enough wonderful things about this incredible teacher. She tutored both of my children—one in 1st grade and the other in 5th—and the impact she made was truly remarkable. One of my children is on the spectrum, and from the very beginning, she approached him with such patience, understanding, and genuine care. She never used a cookie-cutter method; instead, she adapted her teaching style to meet each of my children exactly where they were.
Her love for teaching is so evident—it radiates in the way she connects, encourages, and celebrates even the smallest victories. She made learning feel safe and even exciting, especially for my 1st grader who often struggles with attention and structure. Her calm, steady presence and creative teaching strategies helped both of my kids not only grow academically but also build confidence in themselves.
It’s rare to find someone who combines heart, professionalism, and such a deep understanding of how children learn. I wholeheartedly recommend her to any family—especially those who need someone with the patience and passion to bring out the best in their child.
Anna Claire Schellenberg
Ariel is quite honestly the best teacher you will find for whatever need your student may have. Ariel taught my son in Lynchburg, VA and he fell in love with learning. She made him feel so special and taught him life lessons as well as curriculum. I can honestly say 5 years later that she set the foundation for him to grow in character. My son had two students with special needs in his classroom, and I watched her handle so many situations with gentleness and professionalism. If you want your child to feel loved and seen, Ariel is the teacher for you. She helps every student thrive no matter what their learning style is.
Rebecca Ross
Mrs. Vaughan has truly been a gift to my family. My daughter was extremely shy and was starting to fall behind her classes because she was afraid to ask questions when she didn’t understand something. Mrs. Vaughan created a space where every student is cared for individually. At first she would only talk to Mrs. Vaughan, but by the end of the year she was making friends and would even take on bigger roles like creating study guides for the class. She even won an award for one of her history projects which helped her grow a lot of confidence in her educational journey. She has carried her confidence to other grades and is now an “A” student. Although we are proud of her academics, we are more proud of how she is developing into a confident lady.