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!
Alison Crosby, M.S.: EXPLORERS LEAD TEACHER
I am thrilled to be joining 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 the last 2 years in administration. I love spending time with my husband and two kids (2 & 6). I am so excited for this next chapter at ADS, and I can't wait to meet all of you.
I am thrilled to be joining 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 the last 2 years in administration. I love spending time with my husband and two kids (2 & 6). I am so excited for this next chapter at ADS, and I can't wait to meet all of you.
MIa McInvale.: STEM PLAY Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Mia McInvale and I am a senior at Auburn University this year. I am majoring in early childhood education with a minor in counseling. Auburn has been the best three years of my life and I have enjoyed every opportunity presented to me. This year I am so excited for the new opportunity to be the lead teacher of the STEM PLAY program! Being the oldest of six siblings I have always been teaching whether I knew it or not. This sparked my passion for teaching young children! I was able to exemplify this passion by coaching youth tennis, years of babysitting, and interning in preschool classrooms. I am thrilled for this year!
Hello! My name is Mia McInvale and I am a senior at Auburn University this year. I am majoring in early childhood education with a minor in counseling. Auburn has been the best three years of my life and I have enjoyed every opportunity presented to me. This year I am so excited for the new opportunity to be the lead teacher of the STEM PLAY program! Being the oldest of six siblings I have always been teaching whether I knew it or not. This sparked my passion for teaching young children! I was able to exemplify this passion by coaching youth tennis, years of babysitting, and interning in preschool classrooms. I am thrilled for this year!
Hannah McCrory; STEM PLAY Assistant TEACHER
I am so excited to be an assistant teacher this year at the Auburn Day School! I am a senior at Auburn University studying Child Life, and I plan to get my masters in either Child Life or early childhood education. I have a passion for working with children and I can’t wait to strengthen my skills this year! In my free time, I like to play tennis, ride my bike, and take my dog, cooper on walks.
I am so excited to be an assistant teacher this year at the Auburn Day School! I am a senior at Auburn University studying Child Life, and I plan to get my masters in either Child Life or early childhood education. I have a passion for working with children and I can’t wait to strengthen my skills this year! In my free time, I like to play tennis, ride my bike, and take my dog, cooper on walks.
Caroline Fichtner
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!
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. 
YANAN (LEANNA) LI, M.S.
INVESTIGATORS LEAD TEACHER I am so honored to be joining the team at Auburn Day School! I received my masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of other languages at Auburn University in 2020, And I am currently volunteering at the Early Learning Center on Auburn University's campus. It’s been an amazing adventure working with bilingual children, and I am glad I can use my bilingual experience to help Children in similar situations by helping them re-learn and re-think language development. I cannot wait to meet and learn from all of you! |
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! 
Bryce Knight,
Assistant Teacher I am overjoyed to be a part of the Auburn Day School team! I recently transferred to Auburn University from Huntingdon College where I previously played collegiate basketball and studied Psychology. I am a rising junior at Auburn, where I am pursuing my bachelors degree in Child’s Life! I have always had a passion for working with children. I grew up working in a church nursery, I have coached many children’s basketball summer camps, I also train children for basketball in my free time, and have volunteered my time to read and be a leader at elementary schools back home. In my free time, I love hanging out with my family and friends, playing basketball, and seeing my puppies! I cannot wait to work with you all! |
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. |