Alisa Autrey is a 3rd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2021 and joined the TES family in 2025. Mrs. Autrey earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. Through her previous teaching experiences, she has developed strong skills in instructional planning, classroom management, and student-centered learning. She has experience designing differentiated lessons to meet the needs of diverse learners and uses student data to guide instruction and improve outcomes. Collaboration with colleagues and maintaining strong communication with families have also been key parts of her professional growth. Mrs. Autrey was inspired to pursue a career in education because of the lasting impact teachers had on her own life. She believes education is about more than academics - it is about building confidence, resilience, and opportunity for every child. Her teaching philosophy focuses on engaging, relevant, and student-centered learning where lessons connect to real-world experiences. She prioritizes building strong relationships with students so they feel respected, valued, and safe to take academic risks. Originally from Texas, Mrs. Autrey moved to Alabama in 2019 and has grown to appreciate the strong sense of community here. She and her husband are raising three children, and family, faith, and community are central to her life. She also enjoys cheering for her favorite teams, the Texas Longhorns and the Houston Astros, and believes strong partnerships between families and teachers are essential to student success.

Brianna Gray is a 3rd Grade General Studies teacher at Tharptown Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2020 and joined the TES family in 2025. Mrs. Gray earned her Bachelor’s degree from Athens State University and has spent the past several years working in early childhood education. She is passionate about building strong relationships with her students and creating a positive learning environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Watching students grow academically, socially, and emotionally is what motivates her each day and reminds her why she chose the teaching profession. Mrs. Gray was inspired to pursue education because of the powerful impact a teacher had on her during her own childhood. That experience encouraged her to become the kind of teacher who makes every child feel safe, seen, and valued. Her teaching philosophy focuses on building meaningful relationships and supporting both the academic and emotional needs of her students. She is also a proud graduate of Tharptown Elementary School, making it especially meaningful for her to return and serve the same community that helped shape her life. Mrs. Gray enjoys being involved in the school’s PTO and supporting events that bring families together. She is married to her high school sweetheart, whom she first met at Tharptown Elementary, and they have three beautiful children. She values the strong, family-like atmosphere of the TES community and is grateful to be part of it.

Heather Hill-Hart teaches 3rd grade at Tharptown Elementary School and joined the TES family in 2025. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Autism as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Heather is a graduate of Liberty University and the University of North Alabama and is also LETRS certified. Before teaching at Tharptown, she served as a Pre-K lead teacher, where she gained valuable experience in instructional leadership, classroom management, and planning standards-based lessons that support diverse learning needs. Heather believes that students should always come first. She focuses on building strong relationships and creating a safe, supportive classroom environment where students feel valued and capable. At the same time, she works to ensure her lessons are aligned with rigorous academic standards and designed to help students grow both academically and personally. Heather appreciates the strong pride and tradition found in the Tharptown community and values the way families and the school work together to support students. She believes that this strong sense of connection helps create an environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to succeed.

Abby Ward is a 3rd Grade teacher at Tharptown Elementary School, where she teaches math, reading, science, and social studies. She began her teaching career and joined the TES family in 2025. Mrs. Ward earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of North Alabama. Prior to becoming a classroom teacher, she completed an internship at Highland Park Elementary working with first and second grade students. She has also volunteered as a tutor at the Dream Center and has several years of experience coaching youth basketball, experiences that helped prepare her to support and encourage young learners. Mrs. Ward believes that creating a safe, welcoming, and loving classroom environment is essential for student success. She is passionate about helping every child feel valued and supported as they grow academically and personally. A graduate of Vina High School, she has always appreciated the close-knit nature of the surrounding county schools and enjoys being part of a community where people are always willing to help one another. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Ward serves as the varsity girls basketball coach. She is married to her husband, Jake, and they have three sons - Ledger, Nolan, and Bodie.

Emily Young teaches 3rd grade at Tharptown Elementary School and joined the TES family in 2025. She began her teaching career in 2016 and holds both a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama. Before becoming a teacher, Emily earned a degree in Public Relations and worked in that field for several years before realizing her true calling was in education. She returned to school to pursue teaching and says it has been the best decision she has ever made. Emily believes every student should feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong in the classroom. She works to build a supportive learning community where every voice matters and students take an active role in their learning by setting goals, tracking progress, and celebrating growth together. One of her favorite things about the TES community is the strong connections students maintain with their teachers and classmates, creating a family-like atmosphere. Outside of school, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, their twin daughters Layla and Lana, and their three pets - Bruce, Izzie, and Oliver. In her free time, she also enjoys reading, attending concerts, and traveling.