Meet Your Instructional Partners

Local Reading Specialists @ Barkley Bridge Elementary School

Meet Mrs. Wimberly

Mrs. Jessica Wimberly has worked in Hartselle City Schools since 2007. She has served as an elementary education teacher, and now serves as the local reading specialist at BBE. Mrs. Wimberly and her husband, Chris, have four children: Carter, Owen, Eva Mae, and Emmett. 

You might spot the Wimberlys at various HCS athletic events, dance or baton practices, or serving at their church. They stay very active, yet still find time to enjoy the outdoors and taking care of all the "misfit" animals that find their way to their home. 

Local Reading Specialists @ Crestline Elementary School

Meet Mrs. Bennich

Mrs. Christy Bennich is a proud product of Hartselle City Schools. She attended Crestline Elementary, Hartselle Junior High, and Hartselle High. Mrs. Bennich completed her undergrad from Samford University and graduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has taught 1st, 3rd & 4th grades, and now serves as the Local Reading Specialist for CES.

Mrs Bennich is married to Dan Bennich who teaches at Hartselle Intermediate School. They have two children, Emma and Owen. Mrs. Bennich enjoys reading, walking, playing the piano, and spending time with family.

Local Reading Specialists @ F.E. Burleson Elementary School

Meet Mrs. Davis

Mrs. Katie Davis serves F.E. Burleson in the role of local reading specialist. Mrs. Davis has been an employee of Hartselle City Schools since 2009. As a distinguished classroom teacher, she brings a wealth of knowledge & experience to her colleagues and students. Mrs. Davis and her husband, Brad, have one child, Preston, who is also a proud Hartselle Tiger. 

Mrs. Davis was awarded the honor of being selected as the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year for FEB. 

Instructional Partner @ Hartselle Intermediate School

Meet Mrs. Rhodes

Mrs. Julie Rhodes has been an employee of Hartselle City Schools since 2013. Mrs. Rhodes has served our district as a library media specialist and now as the instructional partner for Hartselle Intermediate School. She and her husband have been married for 28 years, and they have three children. 

Mrs. Rhodes loves Hartselle, and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. 

Instructional Partner @ Hartselle Junior High School

Meet Dr. Kusta

Dr. Kusta spent more than 20 years in the secondary classroom teaching ELA prior to becoming an Instructional Partner. Most recently, she taught AP Language & Composition at Hartselle High School, as well as English 101 and 102 for Calhoun Community College. Dr. Kusta also spent four years working for Southern Living and Coastal Living magazines as a copy editor and writer.

She is married to Kevin Kusta, who proudly serves as a Morgan County District Judge, and they have two children who are also proud to be a part of Hartselle City Schools. 

Instructional Partner @ Hartselle High School

Meet Mrs. Johnston

Education runs in Mrs. Johnston's blood. While attending the University of Oklahoma for a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, she worked full-time at Advanced Academics in Oklahoma City, supporting students who were working towards an online diploma. While working on her Master’s in Secondary Education, Mrs. Johnston began working for a local tutoring company doing one-on-one tutoring and writing a curriculum for workshops. She joins our HHS staff from Sparkman High School where she served as an ELA and test prep teacher. 

Mrs. Johnston is excited to begin her role as the Instructional Partner for Hartselle High School.