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 12 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. |
Linda Roach, B.A. English,
Office Manger Hi, my husband and I recently moved from Pennsylvania to Alabama. We are empty-nesters and our kids have decided to make their homes in the south! So here we happily are. Watching children grow and learn is the most satisfying career I have had. My early publishing career in NYC gave me a terrific experience in the corporate world but there is nothing that comes close to seeing a child’s love to learn. I love volunteering, especially in wildlife rehabilitation, gardening, watercolor painting, my silly pets and of course my family and friends! |
Lillie Brooks, B.S.
Imagination Station Director
I am ecstatic to be a part of the Auburn Day School family! I have my bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Auburn university and I have a passion for seeing children learn and realize their potential! I have loved getting to know the children and parents at Auburn Day School. In my free time, I love to be with friends, listen to t-swfit, and snuggle with my pup-Tank! I cannot wait to continue to learn and explore alongside the sweet students here!
Imagination Station Director
I am ecstatic to be a part of the Auburn Day School family! I have my bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Auburn university and I have a passion for seeing children learn and realize their potential! I have loved getting to know the children and parents at Auburn Day School. In my free time, I love to be with friends, listen to t-swfit, and snuggle with my pup-Tank! I cannot wait to continue to learn and explore alongside the sweet students here!
BETHANY BARES, B.S., stem sprouts lead teacher
I AM ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE AUBURN DAY SCHOOL TEAM FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS! I AM A GRADUATE OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY WITH A DEGREE IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND A MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY. I AM NOW PURSUING MY MASTER’S IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. I ENJOY SHARING AND CULTIVATING MY STUDENTS’ LOVE OF SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE. MY HEART IS WITH SCIENCE, BUT I HAVE A LOVE FOR PERFORMING ARTS. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE PIANO FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS, AND I LOVE MUSIC. FOR THE PAST EIGHT 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 LOVE WORKING WITH MY STUDENTS AND SPARKING THEIR LOVE FOR SCIENCE! I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR BRIGHT SHINING FACES AT AUBURN DAY SCHOOL. |
ASHLYN WEAVER, STEM Sprouts Assistant Teacher and FROGS STEM PLAY LEAD TEACHER
I am honored to be a part of the ADS team! I grew up in Auburn and am currently a senior at Auburn University, majoring in Early Child Development. I have always had a heart for kids, from babysitting in the community to serving in my church nursery. I also spent last spring semester completing an internship at Walt Disney World in Orlando. If I’m not working or studying, you can usually find me spending time with my friends, singing, or trying new recipes. I have so enjoyed getting to know all the ADS kids and families over this semester, and am overjoyed to continue being amazed by how they learn and grow! |
Kaylie Mcgriff, B.S., Explorers' LEAD TEACHER
Hey everyone! It is truly such a joy to be a part of the amazing team here at ADS! I am a graduate of Athens State University where I earned my degree in Technical Education. I have been submerged in the amazing world of early education for about 5 years now and I couldn't love it more! I am a native of Huntsville, AL where I have loved growing up, and recently moved to Auburn a couple of years ago. When I'm not working, you can find me cooking, baking, spending time outdoors, watching a rom-com, or attending events at my church. I am beyond excited to exercise my passions through teaching and enriching the children at ADS to the best of my ability! |
Jialun (Sharon) Zhang, M.ED, Explorers' Assistant Teacher
My name is Sharon, and I am proud to be a member of Auburn Day School! I am a certificated teacher in my home country, and I received my master’s degree in ESOL/ Bilingual Education from the University of Florida. I was raised in a teachers’ family, and I love education so much. I had five years of experience working with ESOL students and Mandarin-as-second-language students from ages 4 to 14 in China and here in the US. I have a true passion for working with kids! I strive to create a positive and fun community of children that nurtures their growth. Personally, I moved from Florida to Alabama to reunite with my husband. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, photographing, making short videos, and spending time with my dogs. I look forward to working together with you as partners in your child’s growth and development! |
Alison Crosby, M.S.W.: EXPLORERS' II LEAD TEACHER
I am thrilled to be a part of the ADS team. After graduating with my Bachelor's and Master's of Social Work from the University of Georgia, I returned to Auburn, my hometown, with my husband. It was then I realized my passion for early childhood education and began my 10 year career in a child development center. I spent 8 years in the Toddler and Twos classroom and 2 years in administration. I love spending time with my husband and two kids (3 & 7). I've loved my first year at ADS, and I can't wait to meet all of you. |
Katelyne Turner, Explorers' II Assistant Teacher
What a delight it is to be part of the ADS family! I am from Elba, AL and I am currently studying early childhood education at Auburn University. I started my journey working with children in 2018 and have since worked with children from age six weeks to preschool. I have gained experience with older children as well through teaching dance! I found that I also love the management side of working with children as I worked as the director for a daycare center in the past. I have a dog named Hank who keeps me more than busy and my grandmother (who adopted me) whom I enjoy spoiling and looking after when I visit my hometown. I am more than eager to see how these children at ADS and I can grow! |
Kristen Elrod, M.Ed.: Junior scientists' Lead teacher
It is such an honor to teach with 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 four years ago, and I’ve been a teacher at home to our son. I love being back in the classroom sharing my love for education with the students of Auburn Day School! |
Asher Smith, Junior Scientists' assistant teacher
Hi I'm Asher! Auburn Day School is my happy place; i'm so excited to be leading our junior scientists' this summer! I've been assisting at ADS for nearly two years now and have loved every minute of it. I'm a Senior at Auburn University studying Early Childhood Education and teaching is probably my favorite thing in the world. I adore what I do and I see every second in the classroom as a chance to make an impact on a child's future! Outside of school, I love drawing, playing ukulele, enjoying nature, cooking, and spending time with my friends and my kitty cat Nugget! I look forward to continuing to learn with the ADS family! |
Maggie Young, B.S. INVESTIGATORS' LEAD TEACHER
Hey ADS, I am so excited to be joining this special school family! I grew up in Auburn where I was very involved in the community and extracurriculars while also working part time jobs throughout high school and college. I worked as a Summer Show Offs head counselor, two-year old preschool teacher, and also held various leadership roles in my sorority. I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and now live here with my high school sweetheart turned husband and our golden retriever, Tuck. For the last three years I worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the public school setting where I interacted with many students with various learning abilities. I have a passion for children and helping each child find what makes them special. When I’m not at school, I love to spend time with my friends and family, working out, being outside and traveling. I can’t wait to see what great things this year will bring!
Hey ADS, I am so excited to be joining this special school family! I grew up in Auburn where I was very involved in the community and extracurriculars while also working part time jobs throughout high school and college. I worked as a Summer Show Offs head counselor, two-year old preschool teacher, and also held various leadership roles in my sorority. I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and now live here with my high school sweetheart turned husband and our golden retriever, Tuck. For the last three years I worked as a Kindergarten teacher in the public school setting where I interacted with many students with various learning abilities. I have a passion for children and helping each child find what makes them special. When I’m not at school, I love to spend time with my friends and family, working out, being outside and traveling. I can’t wait to see what great things this year will bring!
Heather McDonough, B.S., Investigators' Assistant Teacher
I'm an original auburn native, although I spent 13 years in Newnan, GA. I have a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Auburn University and 15 years of teaching experience at the elementary and preschool levels. My passion is exposing young children to the many benefits of creative expression through music, movement, and imagination. I'm married with two children and a cardigan welsh corgi. Outside of ADS I'm involved in Girl Scouts and the Auburn Band Parents Association. I'm a textbook Hufflepuff and love to read, belly dance, and nap! |
CALLIE LETSON, Investigators' Assistant Teacher
I am excited to be a part of the ADS team! I am a Senior at auburn university studying elementary education with a minor in human development and family sciences. i am passionate about children of all ages and i strive to promote a classroom that prioritizes each child's unique abilities and passions. in my free time i enjoy doing anything artistic, reading, spending time at my church and hanging out with friends. I can't wait to spend my summer at ADS getting to know all of your sweet kiddos! |