Meet The Team

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." -A.A. Milne

Josie Graham

Josie is a native and lifelong Knoxvillian.  She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, and she maintains her certification to teach grades 1-8 in Tennessee.  Her teaching experience spans 25 years and includes service in public and private school systems that helped her maintain a good work/life balance while raising a family in Knoxville.  She spent 6 years teaching 5th grade math and science, and over the course of her career, she has taught at each grade level (1 through 8) as a full-time, interim supply, or substitute teacher and tutor.  The diversity in her teaching experiences helps her have a strong understanding of and familiarity with a variety of techniques that can help children learn and succeed/improve in any learning environment.  She particularly enjoys working with students in math and helping develop skills and techniques for problem solving.  
​Josie ‘s leisure activities typically involve spending time with her family - - - husband, Randy, and daughters, Caroline and Annie.

“Learning to sing and play music should be fun! Music relaxes, inspires, and brings us joy!" -Mary Beth Townsend

Nancy Macrae

Nancy grew up in North Canton, Ohio and has lived in Savannah, Georgia, Cleveland, Ohio, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.  Nancy has been proud to call Knoxville home for 26 years. Nancy Macrae is an educator with 24 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Nancy’s teaching experience includes teaching in a Department of Defense School on an Army post in Fort Stewart, Georgia and at two different private schools.  Nancy has taught grades 2 thru 8 over the years, but has spent most of her years teaching middle school mathematics. Nancy loves teaching and tutoring math! Nancy and her husband, Jack, have three children: Caroline, Jonathon, and Madeline. Whenever possible, Nancy enjoys travelling, cooking, reading, and playing games with family and friends. 


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Mary Beth Townsend

Mary Beth is an educator with 35 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa with an emphasis in Music Education/Vocal Performance and English. She has also completed post baccalaureate work in Elementary Education at  the University of Tennessee. Mary Beth’s current licensure is in the State of Tennessee for  School Music K-12  and Elementary Grades 1-8. She began her career with 8 years as a  vocal music teacher in the state of Iowa. After that she moved to Tennessee and into classroom teaching, with 20 years of experience including grades 2, 5, 6, and 7. Mary Beth incorporated music  and art into her teaching on a daily basis, enhancing and enriching the lives of her students. In the past 4 years she has gone back to teaching vocal music full time. Throughout her rich career Mary Beth has tutored all subject areas for grades 1-8 and has taught private voice, guitar, and piano lessons. In her spare time she enjoys fishing with her husband, playing music with her son, and curling up with a good book.

318 Erin Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37919 . info@creativemindsknox.com . (865)712-8048