The Auburn Day School Team
Katie Witthauer Murrah, M.Ed.
Owner/Director
Auburn Day School is my passion and I lOVE experiencing the joy of learning alongside these young students. I have over 10 years of teaching and administrative experience and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia. I've taught children from preschool to eighth grade in a variety of programs. Over the years I've worked with many bright and talented students and I've designed the concept-based stem curriculum for auburn day school with exceptional students in mind. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family.
Owner/Director
Auburn Day School is my passion and I lOVE experiencing the joy of learning alongside these young students. I have over 10 years of teaching and administrative experience and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia. I've taught children from preschool to eighth grade in a variety of programs. Over the years I've worked with many bright and talented students and I've designed the concept-based stem curriculum for auburn day school with exceptional students in mind. I look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family.
Kristen Elrod, M.Ed.: Junior scientists CLASS Lead teacher
It is such an honor to join the Auburn Day School team! I’m a passionate educator with ten years of experience in the elementary school setting. I earned my B.S. in Early Childhood from the University of Georgia and my M.ED from Piedmont College. During the latter years of teaching, I had a unique opportunity to create a reading intervention program and solely serve as a schoolwide reading interventionist for two years. In this program, I had the privilege of teaching over 220 students individualized instruction in 37 differentiated reading groups. I was able to work with students in all grades ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade daily. I’ve continued online education through Kennesaw State University to stay current on all learning opportunities. My husband’s job brought us to Auburn three years ago, and I’ve been a teacher at home to our son. I’m eager to get back in the classroom and share my love for education with the students of Auburn Day School!
It is such an honor to join the Auburn Day School team! I’m a passionate educator with ten years of experience in the elementary school setting. I earned my B.S. in Early Childhood from the University of Georgia and my M.ED from Piedmont College. During the latter years of teaching, I had a unique opportunity to create a reading intervention program and solely serve as a schoolwide reading interventionist for two years. In this program, I had the privilege of teaching over 220 students individualized instruction in 37 differentiated reading groups. I was able to work with students in all grades ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade daily. I’ve continued online education through Kennesaw State University to stay current on all learning opportunities. My husband’s job brought us to Auburn three years ago, and I’ve been a teacher at home to our son. I’m eager to get back in the classroom and share my love for education with the students of Auburn Day School!
Haleigh Thornton, AAS: Investigators Class Lead Teacher
I am jazzed to join Auburn Day School! I have a kind, nurturing heart and a passion for caring for others in any way that I can! I have an Associates degree in applied science which I used for over 5 years working as a SRNA on a general/orthopedic surgery unit; I’m basically a jack-of-all-trades, however. I've been everything from a surfing instructor, camp counselor, daycare teacher, compound IV pharmacy technician to a children’s praise and worship leader. I've spent the last year as a stay-at-home momma. My husband and I have lived in Auburn/Opelika for the past 3 years and our miracle baby boy joined our crew in 2019. I love to play in nature, I'm an amateur photographer, crafting is more than just a hobby for me, and I love to get lost in a good book. I am excited to bring my creative mind and medical background to the classroom this semester and I look forward to incorporating my knowledge into STEM-based projects! I am blessed to have the opportunity to guide, teach, and care for these students!
I am jazzed to join Auburn Day School! I have a kind, nurturing heart and a passion for caring for others in any way that I can! I have an Associates degree in applied science which I used for over 5 years working as a SRNA on a general/orthopedic surgery unit; I’m basically a jack-of-all-trades, however. I've been everything from a surfing instructor, camp counselor, daycare teacher, compound IV pharmacy technician to a children’s praise and worship leader. I've spent the last year as a stay-at-home momma. My husband and I have lived in Auburn/Opelika for the past 3 years and our miracle baby boy joined our crew in 2019. I love to play in nature, I'm an amateur photographer, crafting is more than just a hobby for me, and I love to get lost in a good book. I am excited to bring my creative mind and medical background to the classroom this semester and I look forward to incorporating my knowledge into STEM-based projects! I am blessed to have the opportunity to guide, teach, and care for these students!
MOLLY Quinn, B.S.: EXPLORERS LEAD TEACHER
I am SO excited to be joining the Auburn Day School Team! I have just completed my Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders with a concentration in Special Education from Auburn University. I am currently in the process of applying to Master’s Programs for Speech-Language Pathology. In high school and in college, I worked with children as a summer camp counselor, nanny, gymnastics coach, daycare teacher, practicum observer, and junior clinician in the Auburn Speech and Hearing Clinic. Through all of these experiences, I have found it rewarding to work and teach children! In my free time, I enjoy exercising, hanging out with friends, playing with my dog, and reading! I am beyond excited to work with you and your children at Auburn Day School, and I cannot wait to meet you all!
I am SO excited to be joining the Auburn Day School Team! I have just completed my Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders with a concentration in Special Education from Auburn University. I am currently in the process of applying to Master’s Programs for Speech-Language Pathology. In high school and in college, I worked with children as a summer camp counselor, nanny, gymnastics coach, daycare teacher, practicum observer, and junior clinician in the Auburn Speech and Hearing Clinic. Through all of these experiences, I have found it rewarding to work and teach children! In my free time, I enjoy exercising, hanging out with friends, playing with my dog, and reading! I am beyond excited to work with you and your children at Auburn Day School, and I cannot wait to meet you all!
Caroline Fichtner
Assistant Teacher/Office Manager
As a recent Auburn University graduate with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, I am honored to be joining the Auburn Day School team as both an Assistant Teacher and Office Manager. My background experience working with children ranges widely and has further developed my passion for serving children and their families in a deep and meaningful way. Within the past four years, I have served as an after-school tutor at our local Boys and Girls club, taught English overseas in Southeast Asia, facilitated healthy relationship courses in local high schools, interned at the Auburn Marriage and Family Therapy Center, completed Auburn Community Church’s Leadership Development Program, and volunteered as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for RESTORE. Amidst my community involvement and earning my degree, I worked as a nanny for families and a receptionist at a local eye care clinic. With each passing year I become more dedicated to serving the Auburn community. I was born and raised here and continue to live locally with my husband, Jonathan Fichtner. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, reading books, and painting!
Assistant Teacher/Office Manager
As a recent Auburn University graduate with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, I am honored to be joining the Auburn Day School team as both an Assistant Teacher and Office Manager. My background experience working with children ranges widely and has further developed my passion for serving children and their families in a deep and meaningful way. Within the past four years, I have served as an after-school tutor at our local Boys and Girls club, taught English overseas in Southeast Asia, facilitated healthy relationship courses in local high schools, interned at the Auburn Marriage and Family Therapy Center, completed Auburn Community Church’s Leadership Development Program, and volunteered as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for RESTORE. Amidst my community involvement and earning my degree, I worked as a nanny for families and a receptionist at a local eye care clinic. With each passing year I become more dedicated to serving the Auburn community. I was born and raised here and continue to live locally with my husband, Jonathan Fichtner. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, reading books, and painting!
BETHANY BARES
ASSISTANT TEACHER I am absolutely ecstatic to be a part of Auburn’s Day School Team! I am a Biomedical Science major at Auburn University with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I am on the Pre-Medicine track, and I am currently a Junior. At Auburn, I am a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta. My heart is with science, but I have a love for performing arts. I have been playing the piano for fourteen years, and I love music. I also loved twirling batons in high school as a majorette. For the past five years I have been a summer camp counselor. In my free time I like to read, spend time with my friends and family, and play tennis. I cannot wait to meet everyone and spark some love for science! I look forward to seeing your bright shining faces at Auburn Day School. |
Jordyn Butts,
Assistant Teacher I am so honored to be joining the team at Auburn Day School! After playing two years of collegiate softball and earning my Associate of Science, I transferred to Auburn University this past fall. I am currently a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and minoring in Counseling. I have always had a passion for working with young children and helping develop future generations. Throughout high school and now into college, I have been a volunteer in my church’s nursery, leader of many groups at summer sports camps, and a babysitter for families in my hometown. I believe that my personality and willingness to expand my experience will offer a lot to the program at Auburn Day School. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing disc golf with my family, and exercising. I am so excited to learn and grow with all of you! |
BRENNA BENTLEY, M.S.
Support TEACHER I am so excited to join the Auburn Day School Team. I received a Bachelors of Science in Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After spending a year in Tartu, Estonia as a Fulbright Fellow, I returned to Birmingham to complete my Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling. I cannot wait to meet my students and work together to explore the world around us! When I am not at Auburn Day School, I am spending time with my husband and our two kitties. I cannot wait to learn to with you! |
TRISH DIMICK, M.ED. Curriculum Support/
substitute teacher As an educator turned stay-at-home mom, I am excited to be back in the classroom as a teacher at Auburn Day School. I have 15 years of experience teaching and working with children from preschool to 9th grade in various settings. I earned my B.S. in Geology from Lafayette College (Easton, PA) and my Masters in Secondary Education from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA). My passion for teaching and science naturally led me to the classroom, where I taught 9th grade Earth and Space science before moving to Auburn in 2010. My husband, Paul, and I have four active children and two dogs. We are members of First Presbyterian Church in Auburn where I enjoy working with the younger children as a Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, and Godly Play leader. I am looking forward to learning and exploring with the students at Auburn Day School. |