Jenny Ergle teaches 5th Grade English Language Arts at Tharptown Elementary School. She returned to the classroom in 2021 and joined the TES family in 2023. Mrs. Ergle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education after attending Northwest Shoals Community College and Athens State University. She is also LETRS certified, which strengthens her ability to support literacy development and help students grow as confident readers and writers. With more than 20 years of experience working in childcare and education, she brings a deep understanding of student learning and development to her classroom. Mrs. Ergle has known she wanted to be a teacher since she was in kindergarten, when she first told her mother about her dream of working in education. Her teaching philosophy is centered on building relationships first and then setting high expectations for her students. She believes that when students feel loved and supported, they are more motivated to rise to those expectations and reach their full potential. A lifelong resident of Franklin County, she values the welcoming and supportive atmosphere at Tharptown and appreciates the dedication of her colleagues and the resilience of her students. Mrs. Ergle lives in Phil Campbell with her family and has a daughter who also attends Tharptown Elementary. She believes in her students deeply and works hard each day to help them recognize their potential and succeed.

Jessica Fischer teaches 5th grade Science and Social Studies at Tharptown Elementary School and has been part of the TES community since 2018. She began her teaching career in 2016 and holds an Associate degree in General Education from Northwest Shoals Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education from Athens State University, and a Master of Science in Educational Theory and Practice from Arkansas State University. Jessica also holds LETRS certification and a drone certification. Her love for science began early, leading her to take additional science courses in both high school and college. Jessica chose a career in education because of her desire to help others and make a positive difference in students’ lives. She believes students learn best in a safe and supportive environment where they can actively engage in the learning process. Jessica has strong ties to the Tharptown community, having attended school there from Head Start through 9th grade before graduating from Russellville High School. She appreciates the supportive atmosphere at TES and values how staff members consistently help and encourage one another.

Chloe Padgett teaches 5th Grade Math at Tharptown Elementary School and began both her teaching career and her time at TES during the 2025–2026 school year. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education after attending Bevill State Community College and the University of North Alabama. During her preparation for teaching, Ms. Padgett completed her student teaching experience in Florence City Schools working with sixth grade students. She also worked with the Dream Center in Florence, an after-school program that supports at-risk students, which helped strengthen her passion for helping young learners succeed. Ms. Padgett was inspired to pursue a career in education because of the teachers who encouraged and supported her throughout her own schooling. She hopes to provide that same motivation and guidance for her students. Her teaching philosophy centers on being both a strong instructional leader and a supportive advocate for every child in her classroom. Although she is new to the community, she has quickly come to appreciate the close-knit and welcoming atmosphere of Tharptown. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and especially loves spoiling her two nieces and nephew whenever she gets the chance.