I have been at CBES since 2008!  Prior to teaching at Cotton Belt, I taught at Jefferson Elementary.  I have taught 1^st-3^rd grade, been a Reading Interventionist and Reading Recovery teacher.  I began my position as Literacy Coach in 2013.  I tell people all the time that I have the best job; I have the privilege of working closely with and watching teachers and students ‘hone their skills’!  

I live in York with my husband and two teenage daughters.  When I’m not at school, you can find me cheering on my girls at their various sports and extracurricular activities.  They keep us very busy, but when time allows, I enjoy walking and swimming (fun fact: I taught swimming lessons as a Winthrop student during my first few years as an educator)!  However, my favorite activity is reading mystery novels…on the beach! 

My name is Eileen Palmer. I have always loved working with children.  As a young girl of 11, I started babysitting for my neighbor’s children.  During and after college I worked in Daycare facilities and then started my career in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system.  In 2001, I started teaching at Cotton Belt after the birth of my daughter and wanting to be closer to home. My BEST decision ever.  My background in teaching is 4th & 5th grade (1 year), 1st Grade (2 years), Kindergarten (17 years) and Reading Recovery (2014-present). I am also an after-school teacher with our on-site Boys and Girls Club. My passion is helping young children succeed, not just academically but in all areas of their life.   

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, my husband, daughter and three fur babies, cooking, gardening, working on crafts (ALL kinds), going for walks, swimming and watching movies. I also enjoy a good nap on the weekends.  

Accomplishments/Degrees:  

AS -from Southern Vermont College, Child Development 
BS- Winthrop College, Early Childhood Education  
M.ED-Columbia College, Divergent Learning  
Clemson, Reading Recovery Certificate  
Teacher of the Year, York School District 2011 

My name is Diane Merrell, and I am originally from Seneca SC.  I have one spectacular daughter, Dr. Rebekkah Merrell.  She resides in Asheville, NC where she has her own dental practice, Asheville Smiles.  In addition, I have two grand dogs, Obi and Fen.

I currently live in Rock Hill, SC.  However, when I am not spending time with my daughter and her two puppies, I love to take walks, read books, play games, and solve all types of puzzles.  However, in the fall, you will see me sitting in Death Valley watching the Tigers play football!  Go Tigers!

My entire teaching career has been in York District One, the best district in the state.  I love the children that I teach, and I am blessed to have such a rewarding career.  Every day I try to learn something new, have a positive attitude, show kindness to everyone, and set my goals high.  All of these are what I tell my students to do.

Education Background:
  Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University
  Masters in Elementary Education from Winthrop University
  12 hours in Gifted Education from Converse College and the College of Charleston

Click here for more information about the MERIT program.

My name is Dena Wade and I have taught Elementary General Music since I began my teaching career in 2001. I have taught in Charlotte-Mecklenberg School District in NC at Hawk Ridge Elementary and Pineville Elementary in 2001-2002, in York School District at Cotton Belt Elementary School from 2002-2011, at Cotton Belt and Harold C Johnson Elementary Schools from 2011-2014, in Rock Hill School District at Oakdale STEAM Elementary School from 2014-2021, and returned to teach at CBES in 2021.  

I love elementary music! I enjoy watching students learn, grow, and express themselves in music year after year. Their musicality and creativity never ceases to amaze me! I live in Rock Hill with my husband Chris, my sons Michael and Gabriel, and our dog Bella.    I enjoy reading, kayaking, and traveling. I love going anywhere there is water! I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

My name is Angela Freeman, and I became the new Art Teacher at CBES in 2021. I absolutely love it here at CBES! I adore the way the students love Art and tell me that so often.   Before coming to CBES, I taught Middle School Art in Gaston County for 6 years. Prior to that, I enjoyed a very long sabbatical staying home with my children. I taught homeschool and private art lessons and painted during this time.  Before those homeschooling years, I taught Elementary Art for 5 years in Gaston County. 

I feel that I have come back home, as I grew up in York and graduated from York Comprehensive High school many years ago. 

I live in Clover and have a husband and two daughters, one son and one son-in-law.   I love painting, reading, traveling, working puzzles, and playing games with my family. 

My name is Glenda Carnes and I have been the Library Media Specialist at Cotton Belt Elementary since 2009!  I started my career in 2004 as the Library Media Specialist at Chester Park Center of Literacy through Technology in Chester, SC.  I love working in the library!  It is my greatest joy to share all the different types of literature with my students and help everyone find books that they love to read! 

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.

I grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and I always cheer for the Gamecocks!  I like to spend time with my husband and two sons. We love to travel and spend time outside.  Of course, I always love to spend my time reading a great book, especially on the beach!

Click here for more information about the Library Media Center at CBES. 

My name is Matt Elliott and I have taught Physical Education since 2009 here at Cotton Belt Elementary. I started my teaching career in 2007 working in the Applied Behavior Program in York School District One. I have also coached various sports since 2004. I am currently coaching Varsity Football. As a native of York and a product of York School District One I enjoy watching our students grow and learn each year to make our school district and community one of the best in the state of South Carolina.

When I am not teaching or coaching, I love spending time with my beautiful family! My wife, Jessica who is also a part of the YSD1 family, my daughter Teagan who loves playing softball and showing cows, and my son Easton who loves everything about the outdoors and sports.

My name is Paige Timmons and I have worked at Cotton Belt since 2018. I started off as a Kindergarten assistant but I am now the computer lab proctor. I love being in the computer lab because I get to see all the students.

I grew up in Rock Hill but I have lived in York since 2007 with my husband. We have two children. Both of our children were lucky to get to attend Cotton Belt. I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, playing games, and running. I love working at Cotton Belt and watching all the students learn and discover new things.

My name is Carrie Pike. I have been working in education and with children since 2011 when I graduated from USC with my Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education. I was an early childhood teacher from 2011-2017. I taught pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade at various districts in the area. In 2017, I completed my Master’s degree of communication disorders from USC as well and became a speech language pathologist. I spent three years working in a private practice as an SLP and have been back working in schools since 2020. I also enjoy working with the adult population part time as a home health SLP. I love watching the students learn and grow in elementary school!

I got married in July 2021 and enjoy spending time with my husband and our families. My favorite thing to do is travel and I am frequently at the beach at our family’s beach house!

My name is Tanya Duncan. I am a Speech-Language Pathologist at Cotton Belt Elementary School. I have been working in York School District One since 2003. I graduated with my Master of Speech Pathology degree from University of South Carolina. My job is so rewarding because I have the opportunity to help children communicate, which is the essence of life.

I live in Rock Hill with my two beautiful daughters and our little zoo of animals. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, reading, traveling, spending time with my family and friends, and visits to the beach.

My name is Heather Lease and I have taught special education since I began my teaching career in 2013. I have taught at Cotton Belt since 2018. I love seeing my students grow and flourish every day, both academically and socially! I was born and raised in New York and have lived in North Carolina since 2013. I enjoy road trips, singing in the car and strolling around Target. 

Binghamton University – Bachelor’s Degree in English  
Mount Saint Mary College– Master’s Degree in Elementary Education

My name is Catherine Horton (Taylor). I have taught Academic Support 1 since I began my teaching career in 2016. I work with students from each grade at Cotton Belt. I am a York native; I attended Jefferson for elementary school and then continued through the different schools until graduating from YCHS in 2012.

I live in McConnells with my high school sweetheart and two children. In June we will celebrate our anniversary, and both children have a birthday in June. I enjoy campfires and their smells, walking in the woods, spending time in a horse barn, and riding horses. My favorite color is any shade of blue.

Lander University - Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education - Minor in Therapeutic Horsemanship

I have been teaching in York School District 1 since 2008. I graduated from Clemson University and earned a Masters degree from the University of Phoenix.

I enjoy watching my two boys Levi and Landon play baseball, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. 

My name is Robert Burris.  I  began working with York school district many years ago after working for Rock Hill Police Department prior to that. I enjoy helping students at CBES learn about rules and the importance of them.

I also enjoy my family, hanging with friends and traveling.

I’m Ryan Norris. I am the Behavior Interventionist  at Cotton Belt Elementary. Prior to my current job, I was a substitute teacher within the district. 

I enjoy working with kids, sports and being outside. I’ve been married to my wife Tierney for eight years and we have one son named Edgar.