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4K & 5K

Mrs. McCarter and Mrs. Adams - Montessori

Mariah McCarter

Mariah McCarter

Hi! I am Mariah McCarter and this will be my 7th year at Hunter Street Elementary. Being a husky is the absolute best!  I am from York, SC and live in the historic district where we LOVE fixing up our old home (built in 1787)! I am a graduate of Winthrop University in early childhood education and am currently working on my AMS certification in Montessori.  I love spending time with family! My husband, Zack, my 2 year old son, Sloan, and my 3 dogs, Emmylou, Hobie, and Brady!  We also have a little lady, Elowyn, on the way. She will be here in October.  I love to garden, travel, and shop!

Lisa Adams - Instructional Assistant at Hunter Street Elementary

Lisa Adams

Assistant

Hi my name is Lisa Adams. I am a Montessori Assistant at Hunter Street Elementary School. I have been at Hunter Street Elementary School for 17 years. I am married to my husband Gregg Adams ,and we have three wonderful children, and three beautiful grandchildren. I love my job and what I do at Hunter Street. On my free time I enjoy going to the beach, going to the movies, and spending time with my family.

Marie Montessori quote: “ Never help a child with a task at which they can succeed.”

Mrs. Odoms and Mrs. Neal - Montessori

Julie Odoms

Julie Odoms

I am so excited to be your child’s Montessori teacher this school year. I look forward to getting to know your child and guiding him/her to greater independence through lots of hands-on learning experiences. I started teaching in 1995 and have taught Pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and special education. I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy while visiting a Montessori school in 2014. I was so inspired that I immediately enrolled in a Montessori teacher training program. I have been teaching in a Montessori setting ever since! As I will be getting to know your child, I will also let you get to know me too! I currently live in Lake Wylie, SC with my husband and three children. I love animals and have 3 dogs and I raise chickens. I also love gardening and am so happy to share the joy of gardening with my class. I enjoy traveling, especially to hike through beautiful national parks.  I also love running, swimming, and biking, and at any given time may be training for a triathlon, half-marathon or marathon! I am looking forward to a great year.

Carrie Neal

 

Carrie Neal

Assistant

My name is Carrie Neal and I am thrilled to be a part of Hunter Street Elementary! After many years in education with Rock Hill schools in both kindergarten and Montessori classrooms, I finally feel like I’m home. How lucky am I to spend my days with our students and instill a love of learning?

My favorite job is being a Mama to our 3 children; Molly, Jack, and Banks. I married into a family that bleeds garnet and black, so on the weekends you can find me with my husband cheering on the Gamecocks or cruising the lake on our pontoon. I’ve never found a sweet treat, taco, or red Coca-Cola that I don’t like.

Cheers to a great school year!!!

Mrs. Lawton and Ms. Lemmons - 4K

Carrie Lawton

 

Carrie Lawton

My name is Carrie Lawton and I teach 4K (Four-year-old Kindergarten) at Hunter Street. I have been teaching here for 17 years. I taught first grade for 11 years and have taught 4K for 6 years. I graduated from Winthrop University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I received a Master’s in Divergent Learning from Columbia College in 2006. I also received my National Board Certification in Early Childhood in 2013. I love teaching 4K and rely on my previous experience in 1st grade to guide instruction of my current students for long-term success. I live in York with my husband and two children. I enjoy spending time with my family and enjoying the outdoors.  

Tonya Lemons

 

Tonya Lemmons

Assistant

My name is Tonya Lemmons and I am an instructional assistant in 4K.  I’ve worked in the early childhood field since 1997 and been at HSES since 2017. 

I have two children that are my everything.  My hobbies include chicken keeping, painting, music, and watching movies. 

Mrs. Root and Mrs. Anderson - 4K

Jenny Root

 

Jenny Root

Hello!  My name is Jenny Root.  I teach 4K at Hunter Street Elementary School. This is my 18th year of teaching. I’ve taught 4K for 6 years.  Prior to that, I taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade.  I have worked at   Hunter Street for my entire career. 

I graduated from Clemson University and received my Masters in Divergent Learning from Columbia College.   GO TIGERS!!

My husband and I have two children, Ethan is 12 and Jocelyn is 6.  We also have a miniature dachshund name Dixie.

I love working with some of our youngest learners at Hunter Street Elementary and look forward to a great year!

Teresa Anderson

 

Teresa Anderson

Assistant

Hello, my name is Teresa Anderson and I am an instructional assistant in 4K with Jenny Root.  I have lived in York my whole life.  I have been married for 25 years and have 2 awesome children, a great daughter in law, and a sweet little malshi.  I have an Associates degree in Accounting but my passion is working with children.  Children bring such joy to the world.  In my free time, I love to read and travel.  

This will be my 7th year as an instructional assistant.  I previously worked at HSES as a 5K assistant.  I took time off to raise my children and I ran a daycare in my home for 10 years.  I am so excited to be coming back to HSES where both my children attended elementary school!

Mrs. McCall and Mrs. Hopper - Kindergarten

Samantha McCall

Samantha McCall

Hi! My name is Samantha McCall. I am originally from Chapin, SC and attended Winthrop University, which brought me to Rock Hill. I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and have been at Hunter Street ever since! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in, well, kindergarten and couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. If you ask my students about me, they would tell you that I love giraffes, strawberries, and being silly. Outside of school, I spend my time cooking and baking. I also enjoy crafting and spending time with friends and family.

Sylvia Hopper - 5K Assistant at Hunter Street Elementary

 

Sylvia Hopper

Assistant

Hi! I'm Sylvia Hopper, I'm an instructional assistant in kindergarten. I have worked with children for over 20 years in York and Lake Wylie. In my spare time I love going to the beach, the lake and spending time with my family and friends. I am so excited to join the Hunter Street team this year!

Mrs. Speake and Mrs. Burley - Kindergarten

Brandy Speake

Brandy Speake

Hi everyone! My name is Brandy Speake. I was born and raised in Ninety Six, SC. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston and my Master’s Degree in Reading & Literacy from Capella University.  

I have taught for 11 years, with the last 8 years being here at Hunter Street in Kindergarten! 

I am married to my wonderful husband, Adam and we have 2 beautiful daughters, Camden (4) and Collins (20 months). We can’t forget about our sweet boy our 7-year-old Yellow Lab, Maddox! 

I enjoy gardening, traveling, shopping and spending time with family and friends! 

Melia Burley

 

Melia Burley

Assistant

My name is Melia Elizabeth Burley. I grew up in York, South Carolina and went to Hunter Street Elementary when I was a child. My passion is working with children, and I've worked with kids for five years now. This is my second year at Hunter Street Elementary. I also served as an intern youth leader at Tirzah ARP for two summers. I have an associates degree in Early Care and Education. My twin sister Megan works in education as well. I have two fur babies - a huge chocolate lab named Beau and a shitzu named Boomer.  I also enjoy photography and cooking. 

Mrs. Westmoreland and Mrs. Laws- Kindergarten

Melanie Westmoreland

Melanie Westmoreland

My name is Melanie Westmoreland, and I am excited to be a part of the Kindergarten team at Hunter Street! 

I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and an Educational Specialist degree in Literacy from Converse College.  

Years ago, I actually began my teaching career as a 3rd grade teacher right here at Hunter Street.  I have also taught 4th grade and 6th grade, served as a Lead Teacher, Reading Coach, District Literacy Coach and most recently taught Kindergarten.  

My husband, Doug, and I have two children: Carson and Sara Beth.  Outside of school, I enjoy watching my children play basketball and volleyball.   I am an active member of my church, and I love going to the beach and spending time with my family and friends! 

Bryce Laws - Instructional Assistant at Hunter Street Elementary

 

Bryce Laws

Assistant