Kaitlin Harris is a First Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School and has been part of the TES family since 2015. She began her teaching career in 2010 and has spent her entire career teaching first grade, a role she has always known she was meant to pursue. Mrs. Harris earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education after studying at Athens State University and the University of North Alabama. Her years of experience in the primary classroom have allowed her to build strong instructional foundations and a deep understanding of early elementary learners. Mrs. Harris was inspired to become a teacher by her own second and fifth grade teachers, who made a lasting impact on her life. She believes that students must feel loved and valued before meaningful learning can take place, and she strives to build positive, nurturing relationships with each child in her classroom. She wants every student to know they are capable, believed in, and cared for. Mrs. Harris loves the strong friendships she has built within the school community and is grateful that her own children, Cora and Ty, enjoy being part of Tharptown as well. She and her husband, Tyler, cherish spending time with family and traveling together. Mrs. Harris truly loves what she does and looks forward to coming to work each day.

Emily Hodges is a First Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School and began teaching in 2010. She joined the TES family in 2024 and brings a wealth of experience from teaching multiple grade levels in both private and public school settings. Mrs. Hodges earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from the University of North Alabama and holds an add-on certification for PreK–3rd grade. She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy instruction, strengthening her ability to support students in developing strong foundational reading skills. Mrs. Hodges has always known she wanted to be a teacher and is passionate about creating a love of learning in her students so they become lifelong learners. She believes building meaningful relationships is essential and treasures the opportunity to stay connected to her students long after they leave her classroom. She has felt warmly welcomed by the supportive and caring families in the Tharptown community. Mrs. Hodges and her husband have been married for 20 years and have two children - a daughter who attends UNA and a son who is a sophomore in high school. She considers it a privilege to be part of her students’ lives and carries each of them in her heart long after their first grade year ends.

Taylor Royce is a First Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2020 and joined the TES family in 2023. Mrs. Royce earned her Associate Degree in Science from Northwest Shoals Community College in 2017, followed by a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama in 2019 and 2021. She recently completed her Education Specialist Degree in Teacher Leader from the University of West Alabama in 2025. Her background also includes leadership and management experience, as well as the invaluable perspective she gains from being a mother. Mrs. Royce was inspired to pursue education because of a teacher who profoundly changed the direction of her life. She strives to be that same positive influence for her students each day. Her teaching philosophy centers on helping every child succeed by identifying their strengths and building from them, ensuring each student feels capable and confident. She values the close-knit, small-town atmosphere of Tharptown, where everyone supports and uplifts one another. In addition to teaching, she assists the high school majorettes and color guard alongside Ms. Brianna Wood. Mrs. Royce is married and the proud mother of two young daughters. Her oldest currently attends Tharptown, and her youngest will join the school community soon.