MADISON – The Madison district has new individuals in the position of MAAP or Madison Aspiring Administrators Program: Kawanna M. Gardner, Celeste Gilmore and Kara Lawrence.

At Midtown Elementary School, Gardner has been working as Pre-kindergarten STEM teacher for the district. To start her career, she worked two years for Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education in Montgomery as an education specialist and 12 years as classroom teacher for various grades at Cornerstone Schools of Alabama International Baccalaureate.

She also taught pre-kindergarten students for two years in Birmingham City Schools. Since 2019, Gardner has taught in MCS. Now, Gardner will work with Principal Quentin Turner and Assistant Principal Tosha Swearingen at Rainbow Elementary School.

Kawanna and Kornelius, her husband of 22 years, have three children – K.J., Kaleb and Kristyn — who attend Madison City Schools. Kawanna’s interests include visiting with her family, traveling and seeing new places, teaching and learning.

“I’ve had the pleasure of being in education for 21 years,” Kawanna said. “I bring to Rainbow a rich and varied background in education.”

In the new position, she is excited and ready to serve. “I’m looking forward to building relationships with students, teachers and parents. I know that this will be an amazing school year,” Kawanna said.

Gilmore most recently has been teaching third-graders at Horizon Elementary School, and now she is the new MAAP at Mill Creek Elementary School. Gilmore fills the vacancy left by Nathan Holmes, now Assistant Principal at Midtown.

A native of Huntsville, her passion for teaching began with “the wonderful teachers I encountered; especially one close to home . . . my father,” Gilmore said. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Alabama A&M University, master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus in reading from Grand Canyon University and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama.a

Before joining Mill Creek’s faculty, Gilmore taught fifth, first and third grade at Rainbow, Madison and Horizon elementary schools. She also taught first and fifth grade and s

“I’m extremely excited to serve as the MAAP for Mill Creek,” Gilmore said. “I believe in meeting children where they are and helping them grow to their full potential. I also served s Curriculum Specialist in Huntsville City Schools.forward to establishing and cultivating relationships with the entire Mill Creek family.”

Away from school, Gilmore enjoys shopping, spending time with family/friends . . . and a good nap.

Another new MAAP administrator, Kara Lawrence has been teaching fifth-graders at Heritage Elementary School. “I have been teaching for 10-plus years and spent those years in third- and fifth-grade classrooms,” she said.

Now, she is working as the new MAAP at Columbia Elementary School. Lawrence fills the slot formerly held by Kelcie Thomas, who is now Assistant Principal at Madison Elementary.

“I am thrilled to join the Columbia Elementary School administrative team this year and cannot wait to serve students in this new role,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “I obtained my master’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama. In addition, I obtained my National Board Certified Teacher certification,” she said.

For the 2023-2024 school year, Lawrence was named the District Elementary Teacher of the Year for Madison City Schools.

“In my ‘free time,’ I enjoy spending time with my husband, Ben, and two children, Harrison and Sadie. I also love food, movies, traveling and an ice-cold coke!” Lawrence said.