My name is Amanda Gillespie and I have been teaching at Cotton Belt Elementary since 2015.   While at Cotton Belt, I have taught Prek and first grade.  Prior to that I taught Kindergarten in a neighboring district.  I love teaching the “little” people!  I feel I learn just as much from them as they learn from me!  I enjoy watching them blossom throughout the year, as they move from pre-readers and writers to fluent readers and writers!!  

While not at school, I enjoy spending time together with my wonderful husband Ryan and our two kids, Zane and Paisley.  One of our favorite things to do as a family is vacation at the beach! We also love traveling to Columbia to cheer on the Carolina Gamecocks! 

Winthrop University- B.S. degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

My name is Vanessa Hefley.  I have been a part of the Cotton Belt Family since 2004 when I started as a kindergarten teacher.  I joined the amazing first grade team in 2019.  First grade is so much fun.  The students are gaining independence, but they still aim to please.  My goal for my first graders is to instill confidence in all they do and create a love of reading!  With those two things, there isn’t much holding them back from achieving their goals. 

My husband, my son (Jacob), and my daughter (Morgan), and I live in York.  I LOVE spending time with my family, relaxing at my house, playing games, reading, and as a family we love to travel to the beach and the mountains. 

Clemson University 2004 – Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
Columbia College 2007 – Master’s Degree in Divergent Learning
Winthrop University 2022 – Education Leadership

My name is Erica Johnson and I am so excited to be a part of the Cotton Belt Family! I previously taught in the Rock Hill School District as a kindergarten and first grade teacher. I received my undergrad degree from The University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!), and then received my Masters from Winthrop University in Literacy. 

In my spare time, you can find me outside with my husband Justin, and our two boys Crew and Tate. We love spending time on the lake, watching our Gamecocks play, or spending time with family. 

My name is Dustin Simon and I have been teaching since 2013. I began my teaching career in Rock Hill, South Carolina at Bellview Elementary School. I taught Kindergarten and third grade for one year. Afterwards, I then moved back to Cotton Belt Elementary School, where I completed my college internship, and have been teaching first grade for the past seven years. First grade is by far my favorite grade and so much fun! It is truly exciting to watch the kids as they grow, becoming better readers, writers, mathematicians, and friends.

 
I grew up in Rock Hill and still live in the same city with my wife, Ashley, and our cat, Willow. I enjoy reading, running and watching sports, especially the Winthrop Eagles, Clemson Tigers and Atlanta Braves baseball team. Above all, I thank God for the opportunity to be an educator, praying that I make a positive difference in the lives of others, and hope to continue on this path for years to come!  

Winthrop University – Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education