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These are my people-Josh (hubby of 16 years), Jax (13 going on 30), Cayd (11 and acts 5 on certain days and 85 on other days-it’s crazy!)

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2021-22 will be my 12th year of teaching and my 9th year at H.M.S. Before coming to Hillcrest,  I taught in Spartanburg. I was virtual last year in order to work around my family schedule and I’m so thankful to be back with my Hillcrest family.
Interesting fact: My first job was at a baseball card/comic book shop and now I collect coins and cool, old history items.
I’ve realized over the years that you can’t show you care or your commitment without building the relationship first! Connections lead to caring to be committed!

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Looking forward to year 28 at Hillcrest Middle.
My focus of the 21-22 school year will be to
connect with every student I teach.

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I am SO excited to be back at Hillcrest for my 15th year. I love reading, family time, and studying the Russian language. I am committed to encouraging all of our students, and to helping them get as excited as I am about learning.

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Hi! I recently graduated from Winthrop University and am excited to begin my teaching career with you all! I want to work to CONNECT with my students, and help them to unlock the skills and talents they already have in them!

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8th Grade Science Teacher
I LOVE to travel!! ✈️
Connected. My goal this year is to connect with as many as my students as possible. I believe creating connections with students is one the building blocks to a successful school year!

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This is my 21st year as a math teacher. 19 of those years have been at HMS. 2 of those years were at Greer High School. I am looking forward to connecting with my students by building relationships, being available, and encouraging them throughout the year.

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This is my 33rd year!!?? 22 @ HMS. Crazy. I am committed (or probably should be) to making connections with my students. I want them to look forward to coming to school to learn.

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This is my 18th year as a middle grades math teacher.  17 of those years have been at HMS. I am committed to Hillcrest Middle and will assist in making sure our students are college and career ready.

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I taught 7th grade science for the past three years in Columbia, SC. I will model caring about my students through active listening, treating them with respect, and creating a safe place to learn.

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Hello! This is my 29th year teaching with 28 being at HMS. You will find me at the far end of the 6th grade hall teaching math. I enjoy crafting and a challenging game of putt putt. I am looking forward to serving my students and building relationships this year.

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7th Grade Science (This is my 13 year old Boxer-Lab Daisy)

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Hi Everyone! I am so excited to be teaching here at Hillcrest! I recently graduated from Clemson with my degree in secondary education and biology with a middle grades add on. I believe education is so important because we are empowering children to be successful in the future. I will model the HMS vision by showing my students that I truly care about them. I believe the more love and knowledge we bestow upon our children the better off they will be.

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This is my first year teaching and I am super excited to be apart of the HMS teacher community. I am a father to five kids and I love being connected with my kids and their friends. I will connect with my students and show them that this is a safe environment where I care about them and their future.

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I was a vet tech before becoming a teacher. I will practice modeling our vision by trying to connect with each of my students this year. I want them to know that I care about them and want them to be successful in not only the classroom, but outside of school as well. ❤

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6th Grade Social Studies
I got my yoga teacher training this summer :)
I plan to model the vision by creating lasting relationships with my students.

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6th grade math

I moved here from Chattanooga, though I was working in N Georgia. My husband has already been here working for two years so I relocated permanently this summer. This will be my 20th year teaching.
I always try to build a personal relationship/ connection with my students by investing in them both personally and academically. I also feel investing and connecting  with my teammates is vital for success.

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School Counselor (Student support counselor)

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School Counselor (Student support counselor)

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I am a part time counselor here at HMS and part time at Lake Forest Elementary.  I love that I get to work with a variety of grades and students.  I was at HMS for 4 years, 2015-2019 and am excited to be back here with the HMS family.   I care a lot about being connected and committed to staff and students that I will be working with.
Caring, committed, connected

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I teach 8th grade English. My son Colt is an 8th grader here this year.  I model our vision by connecting us with the community through service projects at The Springs Assisted Living facility.

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This is my 12th year teaching chorus at HMS - I am the longest surviving chorus teacher in HMS's history! I love anything pink and working in my yard. I am committed to being positive and sharing my love of singing with my kids.

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This will be my 4th year teaching, all at Hillcrest Middle School! I love interacting and connecting with my students. I think we can create a great school culture by always loving our students and staying committed to learning. I am excited to start a new school year!

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This is my 30th year teaching 8th grade science. My favorite job ever was working at Yellowstone Natl. Park. I care about each person I encounter on a daily basis and try to find interest or commonality. I am committed to teaching kids to appreciate their world.

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I am the counselor for 7th grade teams Leopards and Lions!
This is my20th year here at HMS.  It is my 7th year as a counselor and before that I was on the 8th grade hall teaching math. One interesting fact: Both of my parents are from Greece.
I work with students, parents and school staff to help our students be the best students they can be!

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I am a part time front office clerk. I am very committed at giving my all to everyone at HMS!!

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¡Hola!  Soy Janine Hadley!  I am the Spanish teacher!  ;)  This is my 19th year of teaching and I've been at HMS-the BEST school-for 13 years, I think!  I will do my best to be present to every person that I encounter each and every day!

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I am the 6th grade school counselor at HMS.  I am a caring, committed, and connected person by being a good listener, being available, and being proactive! 

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I will be serving as a school leader here at Hillcrest as it is my first year as a Wildcat. I am rolling into my 13th year as an educator.  I enjoy cooking, eating, live music, and hiking. I am committed to being present and connecting with students, staff, and the community with my caring energy.

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So excited to be at Hillcrest Middle School teaching 8th grade!  A little fun fact is I taught Mrs. Tori Goubert (and her husband, Will) in 8th Grade Honors English 1 "several" years ago!  I have always been a committed educator and look forward to connecting to and caring for all students in the coming year!  Let's do this!

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24th year teaching. HMS for past 3 years.

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This is my third year at HMS as a School Counselor! I love sports, especially soccer :)  I will carry out our mission by intentionally connecting and buliding relationships with students, staff, and community members!

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6th grade administrator
Our family loves to travel to make memories together.
HMS is my heart! I am committed to caring for and helping our HMS family- students, teachers, and parents, any way that I can.

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I teach 6th grade math. This is my 7th year teaching and my second year at Hillcrest. I plan to get to know each of my students on a personal level so that they will know that they are cared for and loved.

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6th Grade SS
Gracie’s Closet - a clothing and school supply resource for our students
Married 1/3 of a century to a tolerant dude.
4 kids in various stages of adult development - none of which includes grandchildren 😔
My happy place is home or the lake or beach.
I’m an extroverted introvert.
Theme for the year…resilience.

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My closest friends call me a "Renaissance Man"....I can do almost anything if I have the desire.

I promise to be committed to every person in our building! I am here to assist you in any way that I can.

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7th grade math
I love watching and cheering for the Atlanta Braves!
I will practice our vision by creating a positive classroom culture.

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Strings
I love coffee!
Caring for students by asking intentional questions and being invested in their lives beyond just my subject.

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I teach 7th grade ELA.
I will embody the Hillcrest vision by:
Caring-I will exhibit behavior that demonstrates that I care about my students and coworkers. Committed-I will do my best to stay updated on the latest research in my content and make myself available to students and staff. Connected- I will stay informed of the latest information at HMS and participate in activities at HMS.

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My name is Nicole Koenig. I am one of the SPED inclusion teachers working with 7th and 8th grade math (and some ELA). This is my 12th year of teaching. Some of my favorite things include kayaking, running, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family. I will model be a caring Wildcat by showing compassion to my students and coworkers and helping them when they need it most.

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Special Education
Department Head-Special Education for HMS
I have an amazing daughter that just got married! My husband is bribing her with buying a pontoon boat if she will produce a grandbaby really soon! I will practice our vision by developing relationships with my students!

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I’m the Multi-Cat Self-Contained teacher❤️

I am very caring to others and committed to helping my students become as independent as possible❤️❤️❤️

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Kati Merriman (email is Mary Merriman, though🤪)

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8th Grade Math
My 'legal' name is Mary, but I have always gone by 'Kati.'

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Art- 6th, 7th and 8th grade
World traveler, avid hiker, nature lover
Always looking for a new mountain to climb

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PE Teacher

I will model our vision by being Caring, Committed, and Connected to the kids in our classroom.

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*8th Grade Math here at HMS for 13 years
*Empty nester of 3 baby birds
*Love music, reading, and traveling
*Caring is my forte...I want each of my school babies to feel loved, so Mama Murray it is!😁

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My name is Annie Castilla and I just got married this summer! My new name is processing and will be Jorgensen :)
I teach 6th and 7th band, and I can’t wait to influence students positively through teamwork and fun music!

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8th Grade ELA
New to 8th grade after 16 years in 7th grade. I love history, reading Southern fiction, and the beach!

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                        MRS. WENDY BROSS                                                 GTT: Gateway to Technology-Automation and Robotics, Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, READ 180, Virtual  

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                        MRS. WENDY BROSS                                                 GTT: Gateway to Technology-Automation and Robotics, Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, Design and Modeling, READ 180, Virtual  

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I am starting my fourth year here at HMS.

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Hello,
My name is Rhonda Marsh, I am an assistant in room 119, I work along side of Mrs. Galloway-Smith, and our other assistant Ms. Simpson…I have been at HMS for 8 years and enjoy working with our students

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8th gr Science
I’ve worked at HMS for 3 years and am so excited to start my first year teaching science. I plan to model our core values in my classroom be being an empathetic leader to my students EVERYDAY!

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Hello! I am 6th grade social studies, and this is my 5th year of teaching. I recently got the head softball position at Fountain Inn High School. I plan on modeling our vision by showing my students daily that I committed to them in and out of the classroom.

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Instructional Technology Specialist
Both my mother and grandmother taught ELA at HMS!
I am committed to serving both students and teachers with their technology needs!

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Grade 6 Science
Before I became a teacher, I was a Pharmacist

I want to make sure all of my students know that I care about them.

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Media Specialist
I have 3 children, ages 20, 17, & 5.
I want the media center to be a welcoming place that is a hub of learning for the whole school!

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I am one of our school counselors. I have 3 boys- Senior at Brashier Charter High, Junior at Hillcrest High, and 7th grade here at HMS.  I love to spend time at the lake and beach. I am starting my 6th year here at HMS. I will work at supports our school vision by supporting all of our students, families, and staff.

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I am a leader for HMS.
I like being active, but I’m good at being lazy.
I will carry out the mission because I care. I am committed to stay connected.

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Christian Scott, and Christie Henson, and Jacob Smith

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Christian Scott, and Christie Henson, and Jacob Smith

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I love kids, and band. Proud to be at HMS and plan on being involved in the lives of my students both in and out of the band room!

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I work in the media center as the clerk. I love to help people so if you need help, please feel free to ask me!

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7th grade social studies

Besides Social Studies, I know a little bit about alot of things and am always willing to try and help out 😊

My policy is always students first and content second. Inside and outside the classroom.

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7th Grade SS Teacher
3rd Year Teaching!!!
Committed. I am committed to giving each and every student the best education because that is what they deserve!

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Instructional Coach
I love to help others! I hope to help advance our school vision by working with teachers to become the best educator they can be.

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I am an 8th grade Social studies teacher. One thing to know about me is that I can be really loud(or so I am told). One way I am furthering the school vision is by building relationships with the kids.

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7th grade ELA
Just got married in March and still haven't changed my name.... I will be Mrs. Pressley.
I will model our vision by being a positive influence for students and peers.

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I am in my second year teaching sixth grade ELA. I am married to Matt (12 years) and have two children, Lucy, 10, and Henry, 8.
I will model being "committed" by doing my best to follow up with my students to do their best and being a positive role model.

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I teach 7th Grade ELA. This is my thirtieth year of teaching.

I will model our vision by sharing my love of reading with my students.