Elementary FAFA

Mrs. Amber Butte is a dedicated music educator from Hanceville, Alabama, with both a B.S. and M.A. in Music Education (Instrumental) from The University of North Alabama. Her teaching experience spans a variety of grade levels and communities, including Corinth Jr. and High School, David Crockett Elementary, Hamilton High School, and Webster and Highland Park Elementary Schools in Muscle Shoals. She is currently in her fourth year teaching music at Forest Hills Elementary School, where she is passionate about helping students grow through music. In addition to her work in the classroom, Mrs. Butte has been actively involved in church music, adjudication, and private lessons.

Mrs. Stafford earned her B.S. in Music Education (Instrumental) from the University of Alabama in 2000, followed by an M.A. in Education Administration from the University of North Alabama in 2006.  Her teaching career spans various schools, including Forest Hills Elementary, Florence Middle School, Colbert County High School, and Oak Mountain Middle School. Additionally, she has served as an Adjunct Music Faculty at the University of North Alabama.  Mrs. Stafford is an active freelance musician.

Mr. Trevor Blood holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi State University and is currently in his fourth year of teaching at Hibbett. He loves helping students discover their voices, explore instruments, and build confidence through music. Outside of school, Mr. Blood serves as a music director in local community theater productions. When he’s not teaching or working on a show, he enjoys spending time with his dog, Sasha. He is proud to be part of the Florence community and loves sharing the joy of music with his students every day.

Jennifer Jay is the K-6 Music Teacher at Weeden Elementary School.  She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Arts in Music from the University of North Alabama. Mrs. Jay has taught music to students ranging from K-12 through her 10 years of teaching. Her teaching career spans various school systems

Avery Watts Witt, a native of Hanceville, Alabama and joined the Kilby faculty in 2022. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of North Alabama. In addition to teaching Elementary Music, she also serves as an adjunct professor at UNA and actively teaches private clarinet lessons in the Shoals area. Ms. Witt holds professional memberships with the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, Phi Kappa Phi, and is a life member of Tau Beta Sigma. Outside of music education, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two children.
 

Mrs. Fisackerly graduated from Mississippi State University with her Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design in 2008. She went on to work in the graphic design field and received her Masters in Art Education from Mississippi State in 2014. Mrs. Fisackerly enjoys working with students in the art room to allow them to enjoy exploring 
 

Mrs. Hanback has taught Art for 21 years at Forest Hills Elementary School. She received her BS is Art Education from the University of North Alabama in 2004. Mrs. Hanback enjoys inspiring and encouraging her students to have a love and appreciation for Art. 

In her spare time Mrs. Hanback loves spending time with her family and friends.

Hi! My name is Deja Rutland, and I was born and raised right here in Florence, Alabama. I’m a proud graduate of Florence High School and have had the privilege of teaching art in Birmingham City Schools. I decided to return to my hometown to give back to the community that shaped me.

Art is truly at the heart of who I am—I love its power to touch every part of our daily lives. Being able to create, inspire, and share that passion with others is incredibly fulfilling. I’m thrilled to be working in the place that made me who I am and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Keep creating, and forever go Falcons!

Heath Taylor graduated from the University of North Alabama with a BS in Art and a BS in Education. Heth has been teaching art for 17 years. He enjoys coming up with new and exciting projects for his students. He is always looking for something new to show the students. In his spare time, Heath enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons. He looks forward to continuing teaching and molding young minds with creative, fun projects.

Becky Hester has taught elementary visual art in Florence City Schools for 31 years.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from the University of Alabama and her Master’s degree in ESOL from the University of North Alabama.

Ms. Hester has literally taught thousands of students over her 31-year career.  Her goal has been to help her students discover a love and appreciation for all kinds of art.  She has offered them experiences in a variety of mediums and styles–helping students realize that “All children are artists” in some area of visual art.  

Ms.Hester plans to celebrate retirement soon with lots of travel.

Lisa Tyler has been in the Florence area for almost 20 years.  Lisa has been teaching art in Florence for the past 6 years.  Mrs. Tyler has been pursuing art for over 40 years.  She enjoys sharing the many opportunities art allows by giving students the chance to try and explore different techniques and materials.  She believes everyone is “Created to be creative”, so everyone can be successful in their art.

When she isn’t creating, Mrs. Tyler enjoys being on the river, in the woods, thrifting and spending time with family and friends.