Hi! My name is Tracey Wooten. The 2023-2024 school year marks my 35th year in education. My career began in 1988, teaching 2nd grade at Gilbert Elementary School. When I knew there would be a new school built in the Red Bank Area in 1992, I became excited at the thought of being part of opening a new school. My 5th year teaching, I moved to the not-yet-finished Saxe Gotha Elementary School. Yes, as I jokingly say, I've been at SGE longer than the light fixtures. I started teaching 4th grade at SGE in 1992. As our school leadership team began to explore ways to help our students who were striving readers and mathematicians, I decided it was time for me to move toward my passion of reaching out to students who struggled with behavior and/or academics. So, my 15th year at SGE, I accepted the role as Lead Interventionist and have continued to learn and grow alongside some of the most caring, compassionate, and intelligent teacher leaders I've ever met. #SGEStrong

Hello! My name is Sharon Barkley., I am double certified in Early Education and Elementary Education. This is my 29th year teaching elementary school. I grew up in SC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina. I began my teaching career in the Lexington School School District 1. I have taught all 29 years at Saxe Gotha Elementary School. This year, I will be teaching reading and math interventions. I live in the area with my family. I enjoy exercising, cooking, reading, watching movies, and spending time with my family.

I am in my 13th year of teaching at SGE! I grew up in Middlebury, Connecticut and graduated from Western Connecticut State University. I used to teach special education for students with learning disabilities. Currently I am training in reading recovery through Clemson University. I have two children named Noah and Autumn. In our free time we spend our time outdoors camping, swimming, and hiking.

Hello. My name is Dawn Blaum. I am excited to begin my third year here at Saxe Gotha Elementary. I am a local girl who graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Master of Education Administration. Over the last twenty-eight years, I have worked in various districts across the Midlands including Lexington 1, Lexington 2, Lexington 4, and Richland 1. I live in Lexington County with my husband and two teenaged sons. I enjoy reading, watching movies, playing with my dogs, and spending time with my family. 

My name is Erin Sandusky, and I'm thrilled to say this is my 13th year teaching. I grew up in Lexington, SC and graduated with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and a Master's in Language and Literacy from the University of South Carolina. I began my teaching career in Richland Two. I taught 8 years there before joining Saxe Gotha in 2019. I have taught first, second, and third grades. This year, I'm excited to be an interventionist again, serving students in RTI and Reading Recovery. Currently, I live in Lexington with my husband, our two sons, and our two dogs. When not at school, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, and reading.

Hello! My name is Lauryn Gregg and I am thrilled to begin my second year at Saxe Gotha Elementary. This will be my 10th year in education and second year on the intervention “dream team” at SGES! I previously taught for eight years at A.C. Moore Elementary School in Richland One. I am from Lexington and I graduated from The University of South Carolina with my Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (2014) and my Masters of Education in Teaching Literacy and Reading (2019). Go Gamecocks! I currently live in Columbia with my husband, William, our two black labs, and soon to be twin girls! I greatly enjoy spending time with my family, trying new restaurants, running, tennis, calligraphy, and traveling.

Hey, I am Bianca Thompson. I am starting my 8th year of teaching. I grew up in the Lexington and Irmo areas. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from USC. Also, I have a Masters degree in Trauma Informed Education. I have taught 7 years in Lexington 1. I spent the last 7 years teaching at Carolina Springs Elementary School. This year I am excited to be a Behavior Interventionist.