Don't forget to join PTO. Classes will earn a treat for 100 percent.
It was a great morning with the ELHS cheerleaders and football players opening car doors. Don't forget they have a home game tonight.
We were so thankful that so many people wanted to get involved with the PTO. If you missed the meeting and want to get involved reach out. We have many ways to get involved. We have the best school community.
Students getting to know each other and learning class procedures. Thank you for a great day!
It was great to see everyone at open house. It is going to be an awesome year.
This year our theme is Spread Kindness Like Confetti!
The staff is all back and actively participated in professional development today. We can't wait to welcome families Monday!
If you need a backpack or lunchbox we have them outside of the gym. Most of the supplies have tags still on them.
We had several boxes of backpacks and lunchboxes donated to our school. We will be placing them outside of the gym tomorrow for the week. If you would like one stop and take one. They are new or slightly used.
☆☆☆ We would love to welcome Taylor Collins to our Catawba Springs family. He will be joining our fourth-grade team.
A message from Mr. Collins:
“Hello! My name is Taylor Collins. I’m very excited to start teaching 4th grade this year. I have worked in education for 3 years and I’m excited to lead my own classroom. I am originally from Long Island, New York. I have lived in North Carolina for 5 years. I really enjoy hiking and being in nature. I look forward to meeting you all soon.”
A message from Mr. Collins:
“Hello! My name is Taylor Collins. I’m very excited to start teaching 4th grade this year. I have worked in education for 3 years and I’m excited to lead my own classroom. I am originally from Long Island, New York. I have lived in North Carolina for 5 years. I really enjoy hiking and being in nature. I look forward to meeting you all soon.”
☆☆☆ Another new face that you will see in our front office and someone that most of you will recognize is Kay Adair. She will be joining the front office as our new Financial Secretary.
A message from Ms. Adair:
“Hello! My name is Kay Adair and I’m excited to join the team as the new Financial Secretary. I hold a Business Administration degree from Radford University and have numerous years of administrative experience. You may have seen me around the building already as I also have been a substitute teacher for Catawba Springs for the last two years.
I have three children and all of them attend East schools. My son, Bo, will be a sophomore at East High, Macon, will be a 7th grader at East Middle and my daughter, Caroline, will be here at Catawba Springs with me in 2nd grade. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, watching tv series, and have found a new interest in sourdough bread making.
I am thrilled to be a part of a team that makes such a positive impact on students’ lives, and I look forward to meeting all of you.”
A message from Ms. Adair:
“Hello! My name is Kay Adair and I’m excited to join the team as the new Financial Secretary. I hold a Business Administration degree from Radford University and have numerous years of administrative experience. You may have seen me around the building already as I also have been a substitute teacher for Catawba Springs for the last two years.
I have three children and all of them attend East schools. My son, Bo, will be a sophomore at East High, Macon, will be a 7th grader at East Middle and my daughter, Caroline, will be here at Catawba Springs with me in 2nd grade. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, watching tv series, and have found a new interest in sourdough bread making.
I am thrilled to be a part of a team that makes such a positive impact on students’ lives, and I look forward to meeting all of you.”
☆☆☆ We are happy to share that Amanda Vander Haar (previously one of our fifth-grade teachers) will now be our new Media Coordinator.
A message from Mrs. Vander Haar:
“I am excited to share that after 23 years in education (17 of those at Catawba Springs), I am stepping into the role of Media Coordinator. While I have truly enjoyed my years in the classroom, I saw an incredible opportunity to inspire a love of reading in a new way and couldn’t resist. I have worked hard this summer to make the library a welcoming space, and I look forward to helping students discover the joy of books and learning at Catawba Springs.”
A message from Mrs. Vander Haar:
“I am excited to share that after 23 years in education (17 of those at Catawba Springs), I am stepping into the role of Media Coordinator. While I have truly enjoyed my years in the classroom, I saw an incredible opportunity to inspire a love of reading in a new way and couldn’t resist. I have worked hard this summer to make the library a welcoming space, and I look forward to helping students discover the joy of books and learning at Catawba Springs.”
☆☆☆ A familiar face that you may recognize from her time being a substitute teacher is Amy Gosker. We would like to officially welcome her to the Catawba Springs family. She will be joining our front office as our Data Manager.
A message from Mrs. Gosker:
“Hi! My name is Amy Gosker, and I’m so excited to be joining the Colts Family. Originally from New York, I’ve been proud to call North Carolina home since 2016. I’m a mom of four, a dedicated runner, and a passionate swimmer. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and can’t wait to get started!”
A message from Mrs. Gosker:
“Hi! My name is Amy Gosker, and I’m so excited to be joining the Colts Family. Originally from New York, I’ve been proud to call North Carolina home since 2016. I’m a mom of four, a dedicated runner, and a passionate swimmer. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and can’t wait to get started!”
☆☆☆ We would like to welcome our new Assistant Principal, Emily Westbrook, to the Catawba Springs family.
A message from Mrs. Westbrook:
“Hello! My name is Emily Westbrook, and I am thrilled to step into the role of Assistant Principal at Catawba Springs Elementary! Originally from Georgia, I’ve called North Carolina home for over a decade. I enjoy both live theater and baseball! Even more when my kids are involved in either one!
My greatest joy comes from my family—my husband Josh, our daughter Ellie (10), and our son Andy (7)—they are truly the heart of my world and my biggest supporters.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a Master’s in Special Education, and most recently earned my Educational Administration Master’s Certificate from UNC Charlotte. My professional experience includes teaching elementary music and special education, and I’m eager to bring that background into this new leadership role.
I’m incredibly excited to join the Colt Team and can’t wait to connect with the students, staff, and families of Catawba Springs Elementary!”
A message from Mrs. Westbrook:
“Hello! My name is Emily Westbrook, and I am thrilled to step into the role of Assistant Principal at Catawba Springs Elementary! Originally from Georgia, I’ve called North Carolina home for over a decade. I enjoy both live theater and baseball! Even more when my kids are involved in either one!
My greatest joy comes from my family—my husband Josh, our daughter Ellie (10), and our son Andy (7)—they are truly the heart of my world and my biggest supporters.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, a Master’s in Special Education, and most recently earned my Educational Administration Master’s Certificate from UNC Charlotte. My professional experience includes teaching elementary music and special education, and I’m eager to bring that background into this new leadership role.
I’m incredibly excited to join the Colt Team and can’t wait to connect with the students, staff, and families of Catawba Springs Elementary!”
☆☆☆ Our next new staff member that we would like to welcome to Catawba Springs is Lucrezia Presta. She will be joining our 3rd grade team.
A message from Mrs. Presta:
“I am thrilled to be joining the Catawba Springs family! I began my teaching career in Brooklyn, New York, where I taught for nine years before relocating to North Carolina with my family. For the past 14 years, I have been teaching in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Over the course of my 23-year career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with students in first and third through fifth grades, as well as serve as a teacher coach.
I currently live in Denver with my husband, Peter, and our daughter, Melody, who will be a senior at East this year. In my spare time, I enjoy watching reruns of my favorite TV shows, working on word puzzles, and spending time with friends and family.
I’m so excited to begin this new chapter at Catawba Springs!”
A message from Mrs. Presta:
“I am thrilled to be joining the Catawba Springs family! I began my teaching career in Brooklyn, New York, where I taught for nine years before relocating to North Carolina with my family. For the past 14 years, I have been teaching in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Over the course of my 23-year career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with students in first and third through fifth grades, as well as serve as a teacher coach.
I currently live in Denver with my husband, Peter, and our daughter, Melody, who will be a senior at East this year. In my spare time, I enjoy watching reruns of my favorite TV shows, working on word puzzles, and spending time with friends and family.
I’m so excited to begin this new chapter at Catawba Springs!”
☆☆☆ Another new staff member that we would like to welcome to Catawba Springs is Melissa Rigley. She will be joining our 3rd-grade team.
A message from Mrs. Rigley:
“My name is Melissa Rigley, and I am so excited to be teaching third grade at Catawba Springs! I graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Special Education: General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6. At my previous school, I taught third grade for seven years and served as the math facilitator for one year. I live in Denver with my husband, Drew, and our two boys, Ryder and Rhett. We love spending time together and being outside! I am looking forward to an amazing year, and I am so blessed to be a part of the Catawba Springs family!”
A message from Mrs. Rigley:
“My name is Melissa Rigley, and I am so excited to be teaching third grade at Catawba Springs! I graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Special Education: General Curriculum and Elementary Education K-6. At my previous school, I taught third grade for seven years and served as the math facilitator for one year. I live in Denver with my husband, Drew, and our two boys, Ryder and Rhett. We love spending time together and being outside! I am looking forward to an amazing year, and I am so blessed to be a part of the Catawba Springs family!”
☆☆☆ Although you may recognize this staff member from the end of last school year, we would like to officially welcome her to the Catawba Springs family. This is Courtney Jones, our School Based Therapist with Kinterga Health.
A message from Mrs. Jones:
“I’m Courtney Jones, the School Behaviorist here at Catawba Springs Elementary. Originally from Elizabethtown, NC, I’ve called Charlotte home for the past 20 years. With several years of experience supporting children and families in meeting their social and emotional needs, I’ve found my passion truly lies in the school setting. I joined the Catawba Springs family at the end of last school year and have enjoyed my time here thus far.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, trying new restaurants, cooking, and catching up on the many series I watch.
I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to the amazing school year ahead!”
A message from Mrs. Jones:
“I’m Courtney Jones, the School Behaviorist here at Catawba Springs Elementary. Originally from Elizabethtown, NC, I’ve called Charlotte home for the past 20 years. With several years of experience supporting children and families in meeting their social and emotional needs, I’ve found my passion truly lies in the school setting. I joined the Catawba Springs family at the end of last school year and have enjoyed my time here thus far.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, trying new restaurants, cooking, and catching up on the many series I watch.
I’m excited to continue this journey and look forward to the amazing school year ahead!”
Teacher Placement Information
☆☆☆ Another new staff member that we would like to welcome to Catawba Springs is Marvin Forney. He will be joining us as our Head Custodian.
A message from Mr. Forney:
“I am thrilled to join the Catawba Springs family. I graduated from East Lincoln and currently reside in Iron Station with my wife. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy watching NC State and the Atlanta Braves. I’m a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.”
A message from Mr. Forney:
“I am thrilled to join the Catawba Springs family. I graduated from East Lincoln and currently reside in Iron Station with my wife. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy watching NC State and the Atlanta Braves. I’m a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan.”
☆☆ ☆ Our next new staff member that we would like to welcome to Catawba Springs is Kassidy Rhodes. She will be joining our 5th-grade team.
A message from Ms. Rhodes:
“Hi! I’m Kassidy Rhodes! I am going into my 7th year of teaching. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade, and I’m excited to dive into 5th grade. I attended Catawba Springs as a child, and I have always wanted to return as a teacher. I am so excited to have that dream become a reality this year. I have a one-year-old son named Kashton. I have two older sisters (who also attended CSES), three nieces, and one nephew. We have a deep love for Lincoln County, especially the East Zone (Go Mustangs!). I am thrilled to join the Colts family and can’t wait to get this year started.”
A message from Ms. Rhodes:
“Hi! I’m Kassidy Rhodes! I am going into my 7th year of teaching. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade, and I’m excited to dive into 5th grade. I attended Catawba Springs as a child, and I have always wanted to return as a teacher. I am so excited to have that dream become a reality this year. I have a one-year-old son named Kashton. I have two older sisters (who also attended CSES), three nieces, and one nephew. We have a deep love for Lincoln County, especially the East Zone (Go Mustangs!). I am thrilled to join the Colts family and can’t wait to get this year started.”
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