PKES Panthers

We want to welcome Rachel Brooks to the PKES family! Mrs. Brooks will be teaching 1st grade for the 26-27 school year. Here is some more information about Mrs. Brooks.

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be joining this school community. I grew up in Manalapan, New Jersey, just about 25 minutes from the Jersey Shore, and I attended Rutgers University. For the past seven years, I’ve been a looping teacher, teaching both kindergarten and first grade, which has given me a deep love for watching my students grow over multiple years.

Outside of the classroom, I love spending time outdoors, going to the beach, cooking, and being with friends and family. I’m relocating to be closer to family and am thrilled to start this new chapter with my husband, our 5-month-old son Cooper, and our dog Jersey.

I can’t wait to get started, meet my students, and be part of such a wonderful community!

We want to welcome Natalie Harden to our special education team. Mrs. Harden will be a special setting teacher at PKES for the 2026-2027 school year. Here is a little more information about Mrs. Harden.

I am excited to join Pleasant Knoll Elementary School as a Special Settings Teacher. I have worked in special education for 22 years, with the last two years serving as a Special Education Instructional Coach. While I enjoyed supporting teachers and students in that role, I missed working directly with students and families and felt called to return to the classroom.

I am passionate about helping all students grow and am thrilled to be back doing what I love most, teaching and serving students.
Outside of school, I am the proud mom of two children. My daughter, Liv, will be an 8th grader at Pleasant Knoll Middle School, and my son, Parker, will be a 6th grader there.
I am excited to join the PKES family and look forward to a wonderful school year!

We want to welcome Alina Hartman to our PKES 5th grade team! Here is some information about Ms. Hartman.

Hello Pleasant Knoll! My name is Alina Hartman, and I am thrilled to be joining the 5th grade team this upcoming school year! This will be my 2nd year of teaching, but my 1st in Fort Mill. I am originally from Maryland, but moved to South Carolina to earn my bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina—Go Gamecocks! When I am not teaching, you can find me taking a Pilates class, reading a good book by the pool or beach, and spending time with family and friends. I am beyond excited to learn and grow as a Panther!

We want to welcome Lindsay Houseman to our 2nd grade team at Pleasant Knoll Elementary! Here is some more information about Ms. Houseman.

Hello! My name is Lindsay Houseman. I am originally from Chaska, Minnesota, but moved to Tega Cay four years ago. I am a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Elementary Education. This past Winter I taught overseas in Sweden at an International English School, which was an incredible opportunity. I also have experience teaching kindergarten, second, third, fourth, and fifth grade. Outside of school and teaching, I have competed in two HYROX competitions and am currently training for my third…Denver here I come! I love anything pink, Starbucks, cats, CrossFit, and all things TJ Maxx. I am so excited to begin my first year teaching and join the second grade team at Pleasant Knoll Elementary. I cannot wait to meet and learn from everyone!

We want to welcome Bree Loftin to PKES for the 2026-2027 school year. Bree will be joining our team as a School Psychologist. Here is some more information about Mrs. Loftin.

My name is Bree Loftin, and I am thrilled to be joining the PKES team as a school psychologist this upcoming school year. I received my undergraduate degree from Presbyterian College and recently graduated from Winthrop University’s School Psychology Program.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Landen, and our dog, Myla, as well as traveling and exploring new places. I am excited to become part of the PKES community and look forward to supporting students, families, and staff throughout the year!

We are excited for our annual "Popsicles with PKES Principals" this summer!

Join us as we visit neighborhoods throughout our school community to connect with families, answer questions, and celebrate the start of a new school year. We look forward to seeing everyone on July 14 and July 15.

More details will be shared as we get closer to the event dates.

We can't wait to visit with our PKES families and kick off another great year together!

We want to welcome Susan Koljesar to PKES for the 2026-2027 school year. Susan will be joining our special education team as an instructional assistant. Here is some more information about Mrs. Koljesar.

My name is Susan Koljesar, and I’m thrilled to be joining PKES again as a Special Setting Assistant. My family and I have lived in Fort Mill since 2008, although I’m originally from the Pittsburgh area. We are huge Penn State and Steelers fans! I love spending time with my husband Zelimir, our sons Tony and Andy, and our two dogs.

We want to welcome Grace Smith to PKES for the 2026-2027 school year! Grace will be joining our 1st grade team. Here is some more information about Ms. Smith.

My name is Grace Smith, and I am so excited to be teaching first grade in the upcoming school year! I grew up in Fort Mill and graduated from Catawba Ridge High School. I then went to the University of South Carolina, where I got my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. In my free time, I love to read, preferably on a beach or by a pool! I enjoy spending quality time with my friends, family, and my sweet dog Tickle! I can't wait to follow my passion into a first grade classroom at Pleasant Knoll Elementary!

We want to welcome Aniya Cave to PKES for the 2026-2027 school year! Aniya will be joining our 5th grade team. Here is some more information about Ms. Cave.

My name is Aniya Cave, and I am so excited to be joining the 5th grade team at Pleasant Knoll Elementary School for the 2026–2027 school year! I am originally from Lexington and graduated from White Knoll High School in 2022. I recently graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

I am looking forward to getting to know the students, families, staff, and community while building meaningful relationships and creating a positive classroom environment. I am incredibly excited to begin this new journey and make PKES my new home!

We want to welcome Madeline Denner to PKES for the 2026-2027 school year! Madeline will be one of our resource & inclusion teachers. Here is some more information about Ms. Denner.

Hi everyone! My name is Madeleine Denner, and I am so excited to be joining the Pleasant Knoll team this year! I recently moved to the Charlotte area from Charleston, South Carolina, and am entering my fourth year of teaching. Outside of the classroom, my fiancée and I love spending time outdoors and exploring our new community alongside our two dogs, Goose and Kylo. I can’t wait to get started and meet all of the wonderful families and staff!