The Founders

Triumph Academy was co-founded by myself, Alexis, and my husband, JT Rubatzky. Our goal is to provide a new and unique option for educating our two boys in a tribe of other young learners in the Cleveland/Ooltewah area. 

After seven years in public education, I was feeling weighed down by the pressures of standardized tests and the wasted hours spent at desks focused on skills that weren't going to benefit learners in real life. My oldest son would regularly bemoan that he hated school (despite his being a "good student."). My youngest son was often in trouble for not sitting right on the carpet during circle time or standing incorrectly in line. Our family was feeling defeated and worn down by the day-to-day confines of traditional education. Traditional schools are filled with incredible educators caught in a broken system and I was one of them. I wanted to break free and provide our children and others with the freedom to learn at their own pace.

JT and I had been searching for alternative education options for our children, but no final decisions had been made. After discovering Acton Academy, I got excited. The seed for Triumph Academy was planted. I knew I had found exactly what we had been searching for in terms of our children's education. JT and I decided to bring Acton to this area for our own children, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it to others in our community.

I have a B.S. in Animal Science from California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, CA) and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA). I spent eight years in healthcare management for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations including hospitals and outpatient medical imaging centers. After staying home with our oldest son for three years, I decided to return to the workforce. At that time I earned a Texas Teaching Certification in Composite Science (grades 7-12). I further earned certification in English as a Second Language as well as Gifted and Talented Education. When we moved from Texas to Tennessee, I transferred my certification and am a certified teacher in Tennessee with Middle Grades Science (6-8) and Biology (7-12). I have served on the Hamilton County School's district biology curriculum team for three years, acted as science department chair at Ooltewah High, mentored student teachers and earned the "UTC Mentor Teacher Leader Award" in 2021-22. I was also part of the 2022-23 LEAD Instructional Coach cohort for Hamilton County Schools.

 JT is a military veteran and a retired law enforcement officer who formerly taught high school social studies and criminology in Texas. JT is currently a certified teacher in Tennessee and specializes in school safety. He has also worked overseas for the U.S. Department of State instructing foreign allies in counterterrorism and diplomatic security. 

JT developed a passion for teaching through his experience as a trainer early in his law enforcement career. As a public school teacher and graduate student, he fostered his love for the Socratic method and critical thinking. Currently, JT is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. 

JT and I both have experience launching personal businesses.  We have traveled extensively, including living in Europe for almost a year when our oldest son was 2.  Our combined experiences have given us a unique global perspective on education and community, along with a variety of knowledge that will be brought to Triumph Academy.

Without a doubt our reason for this academy is our two sons, Logan and Preston. At Triumph Academy and in our home we believe that every child is a genius with unique gifts who has the ability to change the world! We find joy in seeing our own children discover their interests and talents. Given the time and freedom to dive deep into what interests them, we believe that Triumph Academy will allow our children and others to discover and grow into the heroes that they truly are!

The best part of being educators are the learners that we are blessed to work with. When adults get out of the way, young people are capable of amazing things! It is our privilege to provide an educational environment to young people in our community and to see their gifts and talents blossom at Triumph Academy.