Six…yes, count them…teachers at Columbia Elementary are expecting
Currently, five of the six teachers are on maternity leave
MADISON – Principal Miranda Bolden summed up her school’s blessed scenario this semester at Columbia Elementary School: “Incoming! Six baby girl Astros!”
Those Astros (Columbia’s mascot) are the forthcoming infants for six teachers who are experiencing pregnancy at the same time. Ironically, each of the six expectant mothers will deliver a baby girl.
These teachers at Columbia are Hillary Bowen, counselor; Brianne Crews, special education teacher; Kate Patton, English Learner or EL teacher; Amber Samuel, first grade teacher; Sadie Sturdivant, counselor; Rebekah Yurack, kindergarten teacher.
A Madison native, Bowen earned two bachelor’s degree: early childhood and elementary education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham or UAB, plus communication sciences and deaf education from Utah State University.
After classroom teaching, Bowen then started a new path as a school counselor. Hillary and husband Will have two sons, Beckett and Brook.
Crews teaches students who are in Special education. Madison City School has specially designed instruction including related and supplementary aids as appropriate that address the unique needs of students with disabilities. Related services, such as special transportation, occupational therapy or physical therapy, allow a student to benefit from the special education program.
Patton is originally from Lexington, Ky. and graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College of Education. She earned a master’s degree as literacy specialist and then completed an Endorsement in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages to qualify her as an English Learner or EL teacher.
Samuel graduated from Alabama A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Her career in education started in 2018. She and husband Christopher have been married for four years.
Sturdivant earned a double major at Auburn University for psychology and Spanish. She also holds a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of North Alabama. Sturdivant’s credentials include Licensed Professional Counselor; National Certified Counselor; Question, Persuade, Refer Certified; and Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified.
Another Madison native, Yurack earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and K-6 collaborative special education at Athens State University; she then completed a master’s degree in that discipline with concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “I married my best friend, Austin,” she said in her teacher profile.
Currently, Rebekah Yurack is pursuing an instructional leadership certification from the University of West Alabama.
The due dates for the six teachers are in proximity this spring.
How have these women handled the stress and physical demands of working/teaching while pregnant? “All teachers have carried on their duties with strength and grace,” Bolden said.
Other teachers at Columbia have ‘embraced’ these six teachers during their pregnancies. “Of course, that is the Astro way!” Bolden said. “We are excited to add to our family. Each mother-to-be was given a baby shower.”
Each of the six teachers has decided on her best path about returning to work in August for the 2025-2026 school year. Currently, five of the six teachers are on maternity leave from school.
