Mrs. Hilliard is excited to be entering her 18th year of teaching of teaching 5th grade and her third year at Hortons Creek. She loves implementing the ideas behind the positivity project in her classroom and building relationships with her students and their families. She is married to Jared, has a 7 year old daughter named Hattie, and a feisty dachshund named Augie. In her free time she immerses herself in reading, travels with her family, enjoys canning and making preserves and loves going on an adventure!

Ms. Groom believes teaching is so much of understanding the needs of students and meeting them on his/her own level. She has taught 1st grade for 5 years and 3rd grade for 2 years. She has over ten years of teaching experience in elementary, daycare, and military base facilities. Ms. Groom is family oriented and is a mother of three. She likes listening to music and reading. With her welcoming, diverse, and non-judgmental nature, Ms. Groom demonstrates compassion and patience with students. Ms. Groom admires the role that parents/guardians and teachers play to ensure students achievement. Parents/guardians are treated as family by Ms. Groom. She looks forward to an exciting school year and to becoming a part of the Hortons Creek Family!

Laurel Smith is in her 12th year in education and is excited to join the Hortons Creek family. Having recently moved to North Carolina, she has taught 4th and 5th grades, reading intervention, and served as an instructional technology coach. Mrs. Smith loves making learning exciting with hands-on and creative lessons that make a big impact. Her goal is to create a positive and engaging classroom where ALL students feel successful. She encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help her students navigate the ever-changing world around them. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Smith is a devoted wife and a mother to a baby boy. She has a four-legged companion named Harley, an American Staffordshire Terrier. Mrs. Smith cherishes moments with her family and friends. During her free time, she enjoys a variety of hobbies, including crafting with a particular interest in graphic design, reading, and spending time outdoors. Watching sports, especially football, is also among her favorite pastimes. Mrs. Smith is always eager to try new experiences and considers herself a lifelong learner.

Hello, Hawks! Mrs. Rondon, previously known as Ms. Rodriguez is thrilled to be teaching 5th grade again at HCES for the third year. However, this is her tenth year of teaching. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Lander University in 2011. She is a lifelong learner with a passion for teaching students about equity, acceptance, kindness and confidence!