Meet the KCE Staff Members!
Cathi Bradley - Principal
Mrs. Bradley has been an administrator for Kanawha County Schools for 19 years, with this year being her 8th at KCE. She holds a Master's degree and Ed.S in Leadership Studies from Marshall University. She serves as the President of the WV Principals Association, the Treasurer for the Kanawha County Schools Superintendent's Executive Council, and was Principal of the Year in 2018. She has a husband, two sons, and two dogs- which keep her very busy outside of running the best little school in Kanawha County!
Jessica Pinkerton- Counselor
Hello everyone! My name is Jessica Pinkerton and this is my 2nd year as the school counselor at Kanawha City Elementary. I graduated from Marshall University in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and immediately enrolled at Marshall University Graduate College and earned my master’s degree in School Counseling in 2002.
I have been married to my husband, Eric, for 20 years and we have two sons in high school that keep us busy outside of work.
I look forward to many more years working together with the fabulous staff at KCE, serving our students, families and community.
Darla Adams- Preschool
My degrees are a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Preschool special needs both from WVU. I have 18 years of experience in the school system, I have been at KCE for 8 years. I am married with all adult children and three grandsons. I like to spend time with my family and make crafts.
Colleen Andrews - Kindergarten
My name is Colleen Andrews, and I teach kindergarten! This is my sixth year at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching and being part of the KCE family! I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. In 2001, I moved to West Virginia with my husband to start our family. We have three boys; Dylan, Aidan, and Ethan. I graduated from West Virginia University in 2000 with a degree in Psychology. My passion to teach led me to earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Prior to Kanawha City Elementary, I taught at Clendenin Elementary, and in South Carolina. The most fulfilling part of teaching for me is watching students learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Daniel Evans - Kindergarten
My name is Danielle Evans. This is 6th year teaching at Kanawha City Elementary. I love all of our students and am so thankful to be a part of this great team at KCE. I was born in New Martinsville, WV, located in the northern part of the state. However, I moved to Charleston at the age of 6 and have spent a majority of my life here. I enjoy spending time with my family, including my wonderful husband, Tyrone, and two children Gabrielle and Tyrone. I graduated from Marshall University in 2006 with a Fashion Merchandising degree. Later graduated from University of Charleston with a degree in Elementary Education. I am so excited to be a Kindergarten teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. Teaching has always been my passion and I enjoy ALL of my students. Being able to help shape the minds of the youth is such a rewarding job. I love what I do!
Tracy Kinder - Kindergarten Aid
Hello, my name is Tracy Kinder and I work as a Kindergarten assistant. I have 2 girls Ellie 22 and Raylie 14 plus my 2 puppies Toto and Loki. I’m so thankful that I am able to be apart of students education and watch them grow.
Jaclyn Edwards- 1st Grade
My name is Ms. Edwards and this is my 2nd year at Kanawha City Elementary. I have taught 4th Grade and Kindergarten- and have a soft spot for the primary grades! I hold two Bachelor degrees and earned my degree in Elementary Education from the University of Charleston. In my free time, I enjoy visiting my family, shopping, and playing with my cats and dog! I am looking forward to a fantastic year at KCE!
Kacie Atha- 1st Grade
Hello! My name is Mrs. Atha. I graduated from West Virginia State University in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. This is my 8th year of teaching. I have taught kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth grade. I live in Kanawha City with my husband and two children. My favorite thing to do is visit Walt Disney World! I love teaching the wonderful students at KCE!
Ashley Britton - 2nd Grade
My name is Ashley Britton. This is my 12th year teaching, and my 9th year teaching at Kanawha City Elementary. My husband, Bill, is also a teacher and we have three sons. Brady is 10, Blake is 4, and Bailey is 3.
Amanda Freeman- 2nd Grade
My name is Amanda Freeman and this is my 15th year teaching. This is my 6th year at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching 2nd grade and I especially love teaching the children at KCE! It is my passion and I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was five-years old. I was born and raised in East Bank, WV. Currently, I live in Saint Albans with my two older sons, Brycen and Tryston. Brycen is a car salesman and Tryston is a junior at Saint Albans High School. I am also “Mimi” to two amazing boys, Easton and Finn. I am fortunate enough to not only have Easton at KCE with me learning, but he’s also in my class this year! Finn just turned one and loves hanging with, “My Mimi.” I graduated from WV State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education. I love shopping, crafting, and creating new things in my free time to relax. I also have a side Etsy business selling personalizing items such as shirts, cups, and other apparel. I consider the students and staff at KCE my family and I am lucky to teach at the best school ever!
Pamela Jay Hurst - 3rd Grade
I am a Marshall University graduate. This school year marks my 14th year as a 3rd grade teacher at Kanawha City Elementary. My prior teaching experience includes four years in Chicago's Public and Catholic School systems as well as one year in the Public School system of Ithaca, New York. I have been married to Scoot Hurst for 34 years! We have four young adult children. Nicholas, Taylor, Alex and Jayna. Hobbies? For me...It's all about family.
Alisa Stapler- 3rd Grade
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Amanda Bartoli 4/5th Grade
Hi! My name is Amanda Bartoli and this is my first year at KCE. I will be teaching the 4th/5th split class. I received my undergrad degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. In 2004, I graduated with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida in Tampa. I have been married to my husband, Rich, for 20 years and we have two daughters in high school. I look forward to meeting and working with the families at KCE!
Andrea Owens- 4th Grade
Hello! My name is Andrea Owens. I graduated from WVU in 2009 with a Bachelors and Masters in Elementary Education. This is my 7th year teaching. I have taught Kindergarten, as well as, gifted for grades 1st-5th. I was born and raised in the northern panhandle of WV, and moved to Charleston in 2012 with my husband Ryan. We have since had two awesome kids, Henry and Mary Lou, both students at KCE! I love reading out on my porch swing, and playing with my kids and kitten. I’m so excited to teach in my community with the amazing students and staff at KCE.
Stephanie Elkins - 5th Grade
Hello! My name is Stephanie Elkins. This is my 21st year teaching and my 2nd year at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching the children at KCE! I was born and raised in Madison, WV. I inherited my grandparents’ property and I still live in the area with my dog, Sadie, and cat, Rufus. I graduated from West Virginia State University in 1999 with a degree in Elementary Education multi-subject K-8.
I look forward to many more years of teaching the amazing 5th-grade students of KCE!
Norma Ulery - Speech Therapist
Nicole Jenny- Special Education
Hello! My name is Ms. Jenny. This is my third year teaching special education at KCE. I graduated from WVSU. I have three children Willow, Zion, and Ecaep. We love to travel and cook together.
Terri Kittinger- Special Education
My name is Terri Kittinger. This is my 11th year at KCE. I’m a teachers aide and I love working with the children at KCE. I was born and raised in Elkview, WV. I have a son and his name is Chad. I retired from Verizon after 31 years in 2008. I look forward to a few more years of helping the staff and students at KCE!
Megan Paxton - Student Support Teacher
My name is Megan Paxton and this is my 20th year teaching. This is my 4th year at Kanawha City Elementary, and I spent the pervious 12 at Elk Elementary Center. I have loved every second of being with the kids over the last 20 years. I love teaching, I live for these kids, and I especially love teaching the children here at KCE! I was born and raised in Elkview, WV. I was married in September 2000 and my husband is a police officer in Charleston. I also have two kids, Shayna and Levi. Shayna is a freshman a BridgeValley studying sonography, and Levi is a sophomore at Herbert Hoover High school. Both of my kids love sports, and we are a soccer loving household! I graduated from West Virginia State University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree for Elementary Education. However, my heart and loyalty lie at WVU, as I bleed blue and gold. “Let’s go . . . “ I leave my heart in the classroom DAILY, with these kids. They are “mine” even once they leave, and they’re never forgotten. They forever and always hold a special place in my heart.
I look forward to many more years of teaching the brilliant students at KCE!
Kim Mullins-Title I Reading
Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Mullins. This is my 20th year of teaching in all, but my 8th year at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching, especially the wonderful students at KCE! I was raised in Logan, WV. In 1998, I moved to Charleston to attend college and loved it so much I stayed. I now live and work in Kanawha City, which has always been a dream of mine. I have two dogs (Blaze and Journey) who keep me on my toes! I graduated from the University of Charleston in 2002 with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. I am also a graduate of West Virginia University, with a M.S. degree in School Health Education. I have a principal's certification from Marshall University as well. Education is very important to me - you're never too old to learn new things!
Erin McClure -Title I Reading
My name is Erin McClure. This is my 5th year teaching. This is my 2nd year at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching elementary school and I especially love teaching the kids at KCE! I was born and raised in South Point, Ohio. In 2014 I moved to Charleston with my husband, Todd. My husband works as a Minister of Missions and Finance for West Virginia churches and we have two kids, Jehiah and Abi. Jehiah is in the first grade and loves to play soccer. Abi is in pre-school and she loves to dance and play with her brother. I graduated from Marshall University in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. This is my first year back to teaching full time since before I had my own kids! I’m so glad to be here and I look forward to many more years of learning and fun at KCE!
Katie Cross -Title I Math
Hello! My name is Katie Cross. This is my 15th year teaching, and my 3rd year teaching at Kanawha City Elementary. I love teaching Math and love the community at KCE!I was born and raised in WV; living in Charleston for half of my life and the other half in Morgantown. My husband and I moved back to Charleston 10 years ago with our 3 kids, Wyatt, Audrey, and Juliet. Wyatt is a freshman, Audrey is in Middle School, and Juliet is a 5th grader. I graduated from WVU in 2005 with a Masters in Education. I have taught 6th grade and 5th grade for the majority of my time in KCS, but have settled at KCE teaching Math Intervention. I look forward to many more years of teaching the wonderful students!
Michaela Gillenwater - Title I Math
My name is Michaela Gillenwater. I graduated from West Virginia State University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. This is my first year of teaching and I am so excited to start my adventure here at KCE! I live in the Charleston area with my newborn daughter, Aaliyah. I like to spend time with family and travel!
