5-Year-Old Kindergarten

Kylie Baker

Hi! My name is Kylie Baker. I’m super excited to start my 2nd year here at Midway. This will be my thirteenth year as an educator. This will be my 10th year to teach kindergarten! I’ve also taught 

2nd grade, 3rd grade and been an inclusion/ resource teacher. I graduated in 2014 from Southwestern University with a B.S in Early Childhood Education. My little family recently moved here from Tucson, Az. But I was born and raised in Texas. My husband and I have two precious boys who keep us busy and laughing constantly, Harrison (4) and Everett (2). I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning and fun! 

Kim Godwin, Assistant

Hi, my name is Kim Godwin.  This is my third year at Midway.  I worked 5 years at Lexington Baptist Preschool before coming to the public schools.  I am married to my college sweetheart, Dan, and we have 3 very active boys. Our oldest son, Charlie, is a rising senior at USC,  Walker, a rising freshman at SMC, and Corbin, a rising 9th grader at River Bluff High School.  My husband and I spend time attending our kids sporting events, boating with friends on the lake, and traveling.  I am looking forward to working alongside Kylie Baker this school year.  

Carolina Heinrich

Immersion Math/Science

Bonjour petits Mustangs! My name is Caroline Heinrich, and I am originally from Metz, France. I have been teaching Kindergarten French Immersion at Midway since 2019 and I am so excited about this upcoming school year!

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Literatures, Languages, and Foreign Civilizations from Université de Lorraine, and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Université Lyon 1.

Outside of school, I love traveling with my husband, going to the beach, reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends. Teaching Kindergarteners in our French program has been so rewarding and such an enriching experience. I cannot wait to meet our newest little Mustangs!

Amelie Baudrier, Assistant

Bio coming soon.

Jordan Jones

My name is Jordan Jones and I am originally from Florence, SC. I moved to Columbia in 2002 to attend The University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) and fell in love with it so I never left! 

I am going into my 12th year in the classroom and 5th year at Midway! I took some time off in between with my three boys who are rising 9th graders and 4rd graders (twins).  In my free time I love spending time with my friends and family. We love the beach, going out on a boat, and anything sports related - especially if it’s the Braves or Gamecocks! 

I look forward to a wonderful year as a Mustang!

Susan Steele, Assistant

I am looking forward to my seventh year at Midway Elementary. I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina where I majored in Advertising/Public Relations. I grew up in West Columbia and attended Brookland-Cayce High School. I have lived in Lexington for the past 28 years with my husband, Bill. 

We have three grown children, Kaley, Ali and William. All three of my children attended Midway Elementary. My oldest daughter, Kaley, is married to Michael Powell and they have two adorable girls, Sawyer (3 years old) and Charlotte (18 months). I also have an adorable Shih-Tzu puppy named Roo. 

Before becoming a Kindergarten assistant, I subbed in Lexington District 1 for 4 years in Kindergarten through 12th grade. I was able to work along side many talented teachers. I also taught pre-school for 13 years at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. My career before becoming a mother was working as a buyer for women’s clothing for Belk and JB White. 

I am excited to meet my next group of wonderful children and look forward to a fabulous year!

Ashley Morris

My name is Ashley Morris and I was born and raised in Lexington, South Carolina.  Growing up, I attended Lexington schools (including Midway). I am a 2009 graduate from the University of South Carolina where I majored in Early Childhood Education. I have my Master’s degree from Columbia College in Divergent Learning, my National Board Certification, and I am a Read to Succeed Literacy Teacher. This will be my 18th year as a Midway kindergarten teacher!  I am an avid Gamecock fan and love to attend the games with my husband, Alex.  We enjoy spending time with our daughter, Anna Kate, and our golden retriever, Waylon.  As a family, we love to be on or by the water– lake, pool or the ocean!

Jonna Howell, Assistant

Hello Midway Families! I am very excited to welcome you to our kindergarten class. I have been lucky to teach at Midway since 2005, where both of my sons attended elementary school. I began my teaching career in Gainesville, Florida in 1996, where I earned my M.Ed. in Elementary Education at the University of Florida...Go Gators!  My family and I enjoy spending our free time together outdoors, especially on Lake Murray. I am looking forward to a great year of learning and growing with our kindergarteners.

Dale Thomas

I am excited to begin my 28th year teaching kindergarten and my 21st year at Midway. I grew up in Columbia and graduated from Winthrop College with an Early Childhood Degree. I have a Master’s Degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College and am a National Board Certified Teacher.

My husband, Scott, is originally from Kentucky, but Lexington has been our home for 30 years. We celebrated our 34th anniversary this summer!

We have three sons who all attended Midway. Our oldest, Derek, and his wife, Lauren, live in Louisville, Kentucky. Our middle son, Corey, and his wife, Ivy Adair, live in Frisco, Texas with a sweet new baby boy named James. Our youngest son, Jordan, recently passed away unexpectedly.  We are heartbroken but he will always be a cherished part of our family.

We love college football and basketball.  We enjoy cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats! When I'm not at school, I enjoy traveling, walking, reading, and spending time with my family and friends.

Amy Toll, Assistant

I am excited to start my 6th year at Midway! I moved to Lexington with my family from Wisconsin in 2014, where I taught first grade for 16 years. I have a husband, Greg and three sons who keep me very busy! Mason is 18 and recently started in a commercial electrical apprenticeship program with a local company here in Lexington. Nathan is 21 and is a junior at Clemson University where he is majoring in agribusiness. Our oldest son Ryan recently got engaged to his high school sweetheart! He is a Commercial Insurance Broker at Gallagher in Greenville. When not in school I enjoy traveling with my family, doing projects around the house,spending time on the lake and taking care of our three rescue dogs. 

Erin Willie

Immersion ELA/Social Studies

I am so excited to start another year as a Midway Mustang, teaching kindergarten! This will be my 15th year at Midway and my 20th year teaching. I am a 2007 graduate of the University of South Carolina where I majored in Early Childhood Education. I have my Master’s degree from Columbia College in Divergent Learning. I grew up in the small town of Bowman, South Carolina so I am a country girl at heart. Outside of school, I love reading, lounging by the pool, working in the yard, and spending time with my family.  I hope to instill the love of reading and writing in your child while having FUN! I look forward to a great year with your children.

Colleen Hawkins, Assistant

I am excited to start my 7th year at Midway and continue my passion of working with children to see their educational and social growth. I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona University with a BA degree. I had the honor to establish and direct a preschool at our church. I have over 25 years of experience as an aide in Special Ed. K-1 and Resource Specialist in the California Public School System. I have been a foster mom, PTA volunteer, and Sunday School teacher.

I am married to Jeff Hawkins and we have two grown sons. Brian lives in California and Kevin lives in Lexington, SC. Kevin and his wife Candace gave us the most adorable grandson, Hunter, so we relocated to SC to be closer to family (It's a blessing to be a grandma). My husband and I love spending time with family, exploring the great outdoors; fishing & hiking, and beach trips. I also enjoy photography and Disney!