Meredith Hill teaches 2nd grade at Tharptown Elementary School and joined the TES family in 2024. She began her teaching career in 2001 and brings nearly 25 years of classroom experience working with students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Meredith holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and is a graduate of Athens State University and the University of West Alabama. She is also LETRS certified, which supports her work in building strong literacy foundations for young learners. Inspired by her mother, who was also a teacher, Meredith chose a career in education after seeing firsthand the positive impact teachers can have on students’ lives. She believes that building caring relationships with students is essential to effective teaching and learning. Meredith appreciates the strong commitment at Tharptown Elementary to doing what is best for students, even when it is challenging. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband John, their son Reed, and their two golden doodles.

Madeline Mitchell is a 2nd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2025 and joined the TES family the same year. Mrs. Mitchell earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The University of Alabama. Through her previous years of classroom experience, she has developed a strong foundation in instructional practice and student engagement, preparing her well for her role in second grade. She also brings experience in specialized areas of education, further strengthening her ability to support diverse learners. Mrs. Mitchell was inspired to pursue a career in education because of her love for working with children and making a positive impact in their lives. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that “there is something good in every day,” and she encourages her students to find growth, positivity, and purpose in each learning experience. She values her connections within the school community and appreciates the supportive relationships she has built with her coworkers and students. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Mitchell is involved in pageant coaching and enjoys supporting students beyond the classroom.

Kendall Owens is a 2nd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2023 and joined the TES family in 2025. Mrs. Owens earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama. Prior to teaching second grade, she served in Tier II Reading Intervention for two and a half years and taught 1st grade for one year. These experiences strengthened her ability to support students at varying levels and provided her with valuable insight into early literacy development. Before entering the classroom, Mrs. Owens worked for more than eight years in an elementary school lunchroom. During that time, she realized she wanted to make an even greater difference in students’ lives, beyond meeting their daily needs, and decided to pursue a career in education. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in love, encouragement, and commitment. She treats her students as if they were her own children and works diligently to ensure each one receives the support they need to succeed. Mrs. Owens grew up nearby in Flat Rock, attended church at Tharptown Baptist as a teenager, and graduated from Hatton High School. She loves the family-like atmosphere at TES, where everyone feels welcomed and valued. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they have two daughters, a son, and a granddaughter.

Brenda Sprague is a 2nd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School and began both her teaching career and her time at TES in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work, as well as a Master’s degree in Education. Mrs. Sprague graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, in 1998, the University of Arkansas in 2001, and the University of West Alabama in 2021. She is LETRS trained and brings a strong literacy foundation to her classroom. Prior to becoming a full-time teacher, she served as a substitute teacher from 2016–2020, worked in 21st Century After-School Care and Summer School programs with Colbert County, and completed an internship and full-time substitute position at Hibbett in Florence. Mrs. Sprague has always known she wanted to be a teacher as she fondly recalls teaching her baby dolls and stuffed animals as a child. Although her career path first led her into social work, she ultimately returned to her true passion in education. Her teaching philosophy is simple and heartfelt: “I might not be able to teach them today, but I can love them today. Perhaps I can teach them tomorrow.” She believes her first responsibility is to love her students, her second is to keep them safe, and her third is to teach them. Mrs. Sprague deeply appreciates the positive leadership, supportive staff, and wonderful families that make Tharptown such a special place. She has been married for 25 years to her husband, Matt, and they have two sons, Nathan and Anthony, who attends Tharptown High School. She considers it a true blessing to serve the students of TES and is passionate about giving her very best each day.

Ellie Stricklin is a 2nd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2023 and joined the TES family in 2024. Mrs. Stricklin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of North Alabama. Before becoming a classroom teacher, she spent 10 years teaching dance, an experience that helped her develop strong classroom management skills, clear communication, and the ability to break down complex skills into manageable steps for young learners. She has also gained coaching experience through her work as a cheerleading and dance coach, where she helped students build teamwork, discipline, and confidence. Mrs. Stricklin was inspired to pursue a career in education because she enjoys helping students understand how what they learn connects to real-world opportunities. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive and engaging classroom where students feel confident to learn, grow, and develop critical thinking skills that will benefit them in the future. Although she did not grow up in the community, she feels a strong connection to Tharptown and values the supportive relationships within the school. Education is also a meaningful part of her family, as several relatives work within the Tharptown school system. She has been married for three years, and she and her husband enjoy spending time with their golden retriever, Fenway. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with family, visiting the beach, and reading.