Karen Feamster
Owner/College Planner
After working with Class 101 founder Tom Pabin for her oldest daughter’s college planning, Karen Feamster appreciated the process and service so much that she wanted to provide it to her own community. She opened Class 101 Franklin in March 2014 and hasn’t slowed down since. It’s hard to keep up with this Kentucky Wildcat and CPA, who loves running, a good cup of coffee (with cream), volunteering with the Girl Scouts (she’s been involved for over 30 years), and of course, counseling high schoolers and their families to help them find their best-fit colleges. She’s served as PTO treasurer, PTO president, and IB Coordinator through the years, and as choir director for some of the youngest members of Franklin First United Methodist Church. Her favorite movie? “Remember the Titans”—which, of course, has a college tie, since it was filmed at Berry College in Rome, Georgia! “I love watching my students reach their goals and succeed,” says Karen. “From ACT score increases, to getting into colleges they didn’t think they’d get into, to scholarship money awards, it is such a joy to be part of their journey and see them mature and become these incredible adults.” Karen and her husband Mike live in Leiper’s Fork, and have two adult daughters and four adorable pups.
Laura Brancheau
College Planner
Though she joined Class 101 Franklin in 2018, Laura Brancheau has done it all when it comes to counseling teens through the college process. Her 40-plus years in education have led her from teaching in both high school and college, to years as a high school guidance counselor and Director of College Counseling, taking students on tours to ivy league colleges as well as to those in her former home state of Florida. Laura is our resident essay expert, guiding our Class 101 students as they hone their personal statements so that colleges can truly see what they have to offer. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, with a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from St. Thomas University in Miami, she is certified in business education and in guidance and counseling. Like Karen and Beth, she was also a Girl Scout leader (we have four!) and loves being involved in her church home at St. Philip Catholic Church. “I’m passionate about working with high school students in helping them navigate their journey toward college! Being a teenager can be hard sometimes, and I am blessed to be a constant in their lives during this time.” An avid reader and movie buff, Laura and her husband Paul have three adult children—two daughters and a son, as well as five grandchildren.Scott Kimbro
College Planner + Test Prep
Though he joined the Class 101 staff in 2022, Scott Kimbro has been a part of the family for much longer. He’s been on the parent side of things as a client for nearly five years, as Karen helped guide two of his children to their college goals. “I saw ‘Miss Karen’ successfully encourage our older daughter to take AP classes—though she didn’t want to take my or her mother’s advice about it. So I know how valuable having someone else step in to help can be,” says Scott. “In fact, as a result of AP classes, a good GPA and a good ACT score, our daughter entered college as an academic sophomore.” While he’s run one of Nashville’s top-100 privately-owned businesses and trained sales staff in the corporate world, he’s also worked with teenagers for years as a basketball coach and church teacher. Perhaps he’s been inspired by a particular wise green Jedi, having found many teachable moments in his favorite movie, “The Empire Strikes Back.” Whether he’s leading Class 101 Franklin’s ACT prep classes (teaching proper subject-verb agreement, of course) or in his role as a College Planner, he describes himself as a teacher at heart. “I especially feel fulfilled when I work with someone—whether it be a student or a parent—to help them understand something better.” Though they may be empty nesters, Scott and his wife Mary Evelyn (who serves as Class 101 Franklin’s office manager) don’t have a minute to slow down with four young grandchildren and as active members and volunteers at Thompson Station Church.
Mary Evelyn Kimbro
College Planner + Office Manager
We often talk about the Class 101 family, but in Mary Evelyn’s case, it’s true. Her last name means she’s wife to fellow College Planner Scott, but her organizational skills and enthusiasm are a complement to the entire Class 101 team. Because they turned to Class 101 Franklin when their own girls were going through the college search (both now attending East Tennessee State University), she recognizes the impact of having outside resources as students make this big decision. “Knowing that it’s impossible to ‘know what you don’t know,’ I love that Class 101 allows the burden of college planning to be shared. We are here to help guide and walk alongside parents and students,” says Mary Evelyn. Her detail-oriented personality, honed from years working in sales and marketing management, helps students work methodically through choosing colleges and completing applications by their deadlines. Those same qualities also help her as Office Manager, keeping the Class 101 Franklin staff on track. Outside of the office, you might find her in the kitchen utilizing her secret talent of making homemade marshmallows (among other tasty treats), or watching old musicals and Elvis movies. This University of Arkansas grad boasts a degree in Communications and Public Relations and loves connecting with students. “I love these kids,” she says. “Their joy, their quirks, their goals—they all give me hope for this next generation.”
Owner
Karen Feamster
Phone
(615) 349-4525
Address
7110 Crossroads Blvd., Ste. 100, Brentwood, TN 37027
“I owe it to Class 101 for not having to go into debt for college! They helped me from my first step of discovering what schools I wanted to go to, to figuring out all the insider information on application dates and requirements, to editing my essay, to submitting my applications before anyone else! I cannot recommend them enough to everyone and anyone I meet about to take on the stressful process of applying to college.
Nell Palumbo
George Mason University
Class 101 has been extremely helpful in raising my ACT scores, filling out my applications, getting scholarships, and picking my perfect college. Everyone I worked with there was supportive and helpful when I was trying to reach my goals. Class 101 made the college process a whole lot simpler and enjoyable!
Kaelan Asch
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Class 101 was a huge advantage in the college process. Mrs. Feamster opened my eyes to other schools I had not considered, and helped me contemplate where to apply. Through ACT test prep, I was able to raise my score 5 points, which gave me more scholarship money. With Mrs. Feamster’s guidance, I decided to go to Auburn University, and have absolutely loved it! My freshman year was incredible and I have Mrs. Feamster and the rest of Class 101 to thank!
Keilah Anderson
Auburn University
