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4th Grade

Gracen Bennett

Email:  gbennett@lexrich5.org

Link to teacher website

Heather Callahan

Email:  hcallaha@lexrich5.org

Link to teacher website

Hollie Heming

Phone: 803-756-1163

Email: hheming@lexrich5.org

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Furman University 1998
M.Ed. Columbia College 2005
Gifted Endorsement 2005

Welcome to 4th Grade, Purple Martins! I am excited to work with you this year. I will teach you Math and Science and Mrs. Callahan will teach you ELA and SS. 

I have been a teacher for 23 years and I am excited to begin year 24 with you at PWES! My previous experiences range from teaching 3rd grade to middle school.

My husband, Jason, and I have one son, Will who is in 8th grade this year. We enjoy traveling and spending time together on Lake Murray with our dog, Chase. 

Mrs. Catherine Lawhead

Phone: 803-756-1164

Email: clawhead@lexrich5.org

Degrees and Certifications:

BA in Elementary Education

I am so excited to be teaching at PWES this year! I am teaching 4th grade Math and Science.  I grew up in downtown Columbia and attended the University of South Carolina.  I have a bachelors in Elementary Education.  During my free time I love spending time outside.  On the weekend you can find me on the lake with my husband and two daughters boating and swimming.  I am looking forward to a great new year!

Amber Tolar

Phone: 803-756-1164

Email: ATolar@lexrich5.org

Welcome Purple Martins! My name is Amber Tolar and I am so excited about being your fourth grade teacher this year! This is my second year at Piney Woods and my 13th year in the classroom. Before I came to PWES, I taught fourth grade at River Springs Elementary and Oak Pointe Elementary. 

I am originally from Greenville, SC, but I moved to Columbia to go to the University of South Carolina. I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and my Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. 

I have been married for 13 years to my husband, Steven, who has a residential contracting business and we live in Irmo with our two girls, Hannah (8) and Ava (7). We also have an ever-growing family of pets, including a dog named Vella, two beta fish named Firework & Gilbert, and a yellow-spotted salamander named Sally. In my free time, I love to read and spend time with my family.

We are going to have a wonderful year together and learn so many great things! I can't wait to meet you!