Rachel Fitzpatrick is eager to begin the school year with her new students at Cherokee Bend! She is originally from Richmond, VA and graduated from Longwood University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and 6-8 Science Education. She taught fifth grade in Richmond before moving to Birmingham four years ago, where she first started as a Special Education Aide at Cherokee Bend. This will be her sixth year at Cherokee Bend and her fifth year teaching kindergarten! She LOVES seeing the magic of students learning to read and write throughout the year, as well as working closely with parents during this important time in their children's lives. Teaching the whole child is what she believes in. Mrs. Fitzpatrick is certified in Social Emotional Learning and Facilitation, and she is also a certified yoga teacher for adults and kids! She teaches yoga after school to teachers and students, and holds yoga camps during the summer. 

When Mrs. Fitzpatrick is not at school, she enjoys listening to music, hiking, reading, and playing with her black lab, Tela. She also enjoys traveling with her husband, Tranum Fitzpatrick. They got married two years ago in Big Sky, Montana, which is one of their favorite places to go skiing, hiking, fly fishing, and horseback riding. Mrs. Fitzpatrick loves the outdoors and loves finding ways to take the classroom outside or incorporating her passions into the classroom. She is so thrilled to start this school year and can't wait to welcome our new kindergartners to The Bend!