Meet the new faces of MBE

A few new faces welcomed Mountain Brook Elementary students when they started in August.   

Heather Novitski is replacing Lauren Merrill (who moved up to instruct sixth grade) as a fourth grade teacher at MBE. Heather joined MBE after teaching for four years at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. She is a graduate of Auburn University and is currently getting her master’s degree in teaching from UAB.  

Martha Johnston is a new special education teacher for MBE and will teach children in all grades. While not technically a “new face,” as she joined MBE in December 2010, she is new to her position of special education. She has a degree from the University of Alabama and is currently working on a master’s degree at UAB.  

Brannon Aaron is the new reading coach at MBE and taught first grade at Vestavia Hills before relocating to Little Rock to be a reading coach. He received his Master’s in Education Administration at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock and brings his experience and education with him to MBE.  A fun fact about Mr. Aaron is he served in the Air Force for four years.

Mitchell Nelson joins the kindergarten team at MBE from Tuscaloosa County where he taught for four years.  A graduate of the University of Alabama, Nelson also enjoys music, playing the keyboard.

After serving as the reading coach at MBE for the past two years, Ashley McCombs was appointed as our new assistant principal, replacing Lisa Walters, who moved into the assistant principal position at MBHS.  Ashley also taught for eight years prior to joining MBE at Hewitt-Trussville, now known as Paine Intermediate.   She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from UAB, as well as a master’s degree and educational specialist degree from Samford University. Mrs. McCombs holds a certification in Instructional Leadership (administration) from Samford University. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher who strives to promote continuous learning.  A fun fact about Mrs. McCombs is that her husband is also a teacher of 17 years.

Katrina Cook is the new bookkeeper at MBE.  She joins the staff from Mountain Brook High School, where she also worked in bookkeeping.  She has an undergraduate degree in business and enjoys traveling in her spare time.  She recently enjoyed a trip to Sugarland, Texas, for a family reunion.