School Directory

Office and Administration

Meet your Principal- Tobree Mostel!

Email: tmostel@polkschools.org

 

Meet your Secretary and Data Manager- Mrs. Yvonne Bruce!

Email: ybruce@polkschools.org

Meet Your School Nurse- Kim Money!

Email: kmoney@polkschools.org

Teachers

Meet your Preschool Teacher- Ms. Laura Freck!

Email: lfreck@polkschools.org

Meet your Kindergarten Teacher- Mrs. Denise Kennedy!

Email: dkennedy@polkschools.org

A little about me . . .
I like to drink coffee and eat chocolate.
I love to read books,
hike in the woods,
run on trails,
and . . .

I love to learn new things
and teach kindergarten!!!

                                                                            I’m looking forward to
                                                                        learning with you this year!!!

 

Meet your Kindergarten Teacher- Mrs. Ashley Marion!

Email: amarion@polkschools.org

This is my 20th year of teaching and I have always been at Saluda School.  I have taught both PreK and Kindergarten.  I grew up in Matthews, NC and graduated from UNCC with a degree in Elementary Education.  I am married to my husband Paul and we have 2 awesome kids. 

Meet your First Grade Teacher- Mrs. Stephanie Fletcher!

Email: sfletcher@polkschools.org

This is my 4th year at Saluda and my second year in 1st grade. I love teaching first graders because this is a huge year of growth! Previously I taught 2nd at Saluda and 5th grade in South Carolina. My husband Todd and I have 2 children: Bryce and Kiersten who are 21 and 16. I have a Masters in Education from the University of Tennessee and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the College of Charleston. My favorite subjects to teach are reading and math.

Meet your First Grade Teacher – Mrs. Gina Burnett

Email: gburnett@polkschools.org

Meet your Second Grade Teacher – Mrs. Michelle Richardson

Email: mrichardson@polkschools.org

Meet your Third Grade Teacher- Mrs. Debbie Fowler

Email: dfowler@polkschools.org

My name is Debbie Fowler.  I reside in Boiling Springs, SC.  I am married to Richard and we have three children.  We also have several grandchildren.  I have been working for Polk County Schools for 24 years now.  This is my 30th year of teaching.  I was part time last year here at Saluda, and I love the school, staff, and the students.  Some of my hobbies are travelling, camping, going to the beach, and reading good books.  I am very excited about teaching 3rd grade math and social studies.

Meet your Third Grade Teacher- Mrs. Melissa Gillespie

Email: mgillespie@polkschools.org

After graduating from Mars Hill College with a degree in elementary education, I began my teaching career at Saluda Elementary in 1993. In 2000, I earned a master’s degree in reading from Furman University.  I am now excited to begin my 30th year of teaching at Saluda Elementary. During my teaching career, I have taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. Because of the time I have invested,  this school and community are near and dear to my heart. 

My husband Eric and I reside in Hendersonville with our daughters Meredith and Julia, and our cat Gabby. We are huge UGA fans, and spend Saturdays in the fall watching football. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, puzzles and board games, and curling up with  a good book.

Meet Your Fourth Grade Teacher- Ms. Ellen Rogers

Email: erogers@polkschools.org

Meet your Fourth Grade Teacher- Mrs. Stephanie Uhrich

Email: suhrich@polkschools.org

I have been married to my best friend for the last 25 years-Steve. I have one wonderful daughter (Ms. Sydney), who is a senior this year. I graduated from UNCA with an education license, and I have had the joy of teaching 4th grade at Saluda for a few years now. My favorite thing to teach IS MATH. During my free time, I enjoy kayaking, camping, hiking, taking karate, and reading.  

Meet your Fifth Grade Teacher- Mrs. Ginger Rackley

Email: grackley@polkschools.org

I am starting my 21st year here at Saluda Elementary School.  I graduated from Mars Hill University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  I received my Master’s from Gardner-Webb University.  I also have my National Board Certification.  I have taught Kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth grades.  

My husband, Alex, and I have been married for 22 years.  We have one son, Blake.  We all love Clemson football and NASCAR.  We also love supporting our Polk County Wolverines! 

Meet Your Exceptional Children Teacher- Mrs. Ashley Thompson!

Email: athompson@polkschools.org

Encore Teachers

Meet your Art Teacher- Ms. Wendy Berryhill!

Email: wberryhill@polkschools.org

I’m happy to be back at Saluda for my eleventh year.  We are looking forward to a bright, creative, beautiful year in the art room.  Put your imagination in high gear and let’s have an amazing year!

Meet your Music Teacher- Ms. Pam McNeil!

Email: pmcneil@polkschools.org

Pam McNeil is a pianist, with music education degrees from St. Andrews University and Western Carolina University. She has taught in Polk County Schools and at Isothermal Community College as well as private teaching. She is actively involved in the Tryon Little Theater, Tryon Summer Youth Theater and other community organizations. Kids, animals, nature and making music make her a happy person! 

Meet your PE Teacher- Mrs. Kathy St. Clair!

Email: kstclair@polkschools.org

I started teaching at Saluda School in 1999. Hometown: Kingsport TN. I currently live in Tryon, NC. I am the third of six children. I love my big family. My physical education degree is from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where I played volleyball for the Tennessee Vols. I studied dance education at UNC-Charlotte.
 I have two grown children, both attended Saluda Elementary. My daughter, Sarah is serving in the United States Space Force, currently stationed in Colorado, but will deploy to England in Oct. 2022 For 3 years. She and her husband gave me  my first grandchild in August 2021. My son, Kevin, is serving in the United States Air Force and is currently stationed in Kansas.
 I love hiking, dancing, reading, movies, theater and good food. My favorite color is orange,(of course)
 

Meet your Media, AIG Specialist- Kevin Burnett!

Email: kburnett@polkschools.org

Hi, I’m Mr. Burnett! I have been at Saluda School about as long as the big trees around the playground. I love this community and feel a deep connection to the students and families here.  I am the director of the department of awesomeness at Saluda Elementary School, which is housed in the media center. We do traditional literacy based media classes, stem based enrichment activities and various educational experiences scientifically designed to make learning fun and exciting. 

In my spare time, I like to stare at my dog and wonder what he’s thinking.  When I grow up I want to be a roller coaster. I very much want to be a partner with parents and families and be part of supporting your goals for the growth and education of your children. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. 

 

Digital Archive: some of this stuff is dated and some of it may be new. But I’ve made dozens of class websites over the years and someone should look at this stuff before it disappears like all those others did. I mean, if you want to. Whatever. It’s cool either way. 

Website: https://sites.google.com/a/polkschools.org/saludalibrary/

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6_tvxoW5JuLs3R-w6Yp1Ug/videos

 

Student Support Services

Meet Your School Guidance Counselor- Ms. Sherri Huffman

Email: shuffman@polkschools.org

Ms. Huffman is one of the School Counselors at Saluda. She spends most of her week at Polk County Middle School, and visits Saluda one day a week to see students. Ms. Huffman has been a School Counselor for 18 years, and all of those years have been in Polk County. She likes hiking, taking her boat to the lake, and playing with her crazy beagle dogs. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite food is chocolate.  Ms. Huffman can be reached by email at: shuffman@polkschools.org or by calling her at PCMS at 894-2215. Ms. Huffman LOVES working with students at Saluda, and her Saluda days are her favorite days of the week! 

Meet Your School Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Katy Montgomery!

Email: kmontgomery@polkschools.org

Katy Montgomery has been working at Polk County Schools since 2011.  Ms. Montgomery grew up in Oklahoma where she went to Oklahoma State University for both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science (counseling) degree.  She has been a school counselor now since 2006.  In her free time, Ms. Montgomery enjoys hiking with her dog Sinclair, reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.  Ms. Montgomery is at Saluda on Monday afternoons and Friday mornings and the rest of the time she is working with the high schoolers at PCHS.  You can reach Ms. Montgomery at kmontgomery@polkschools.org

Meet Your School Title I Reading Interventionist- Mrs. Brandi Drake!

 
Email: bdrake@polkschools.org

Meet your School Speech Therapist- Mrs. Jennifer Young!

Email: jyoung@polkschools.org

Meet Your Teacher's Assistants and After School Staff

Meet Your After School Director- Mrs. Edie Harris!

Email: eharris@polkschools.org

Meet Your After-School Assistant- Ms. Stacy Harris!

Email: sharris@polkschools.org 

Meet Your Preschool Teacher’s Assistant- Mrs. Jennifer Doten!

Email: jdoten@polkschools.org

Meet Your Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant- Mrs. Jessica Searcy!

Email: jessicasearcy@polkschools.org

Meet Your Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant- Mrs. Tena Greene!

Email: tgreene@polkschools.org

Meet Your First Grade Teacher’s Assistant- Mrs. Amanda Huddleston!

Email: ahuddleston@polkschools.org

Meet Your First Grade Teacher’s Assistant- Mrs. Jennifer O’Rear!

Email: jorear@polkschools.org

Meet Your Math Interventionist – Mrs. Kelley Dow!

Email: kdow@polkschools.org