Warhurst named curriculum coordinator
RUSSELLVILLE — For Tiffany Warhurst, stepping into the curriculum coordinator role for Russellville City Schools means leaving the elementary campus she has led for eight years.
After four years as principal and four as assistant principal at Russellville Elementary School, Warhurst will replace Dr. Natalie Bendall, who left the curriculum coordinator role earlier this year after accepting a regional in-service center director’s position at the University of North Alabama.
Warhurst said the move allows her to support students and teachers across the entire district while staying connected to the classrooms and campuses where she has spent much of her career.
A Russellville graduate, she became principal at Russellville Elementary after Kristie Ezzell retired in 2021 to work with Kids First Education as head coach for north Alabama.
Warhurst previously worked as a guidance counselor at Russellville High School and as a special education teacher at West Elementary.
She said she is still learning the full scope of her new position, but much of her work will focus on supporting curriculum, coordinating testing and helping teachers stay aligned with state standards.
Warhurst said much of the work happens behind the scenes through teacher committees, textbook reviews and planning for state assessments.
Teacher committees review materials, compare them to state standards and work to ensure students build the skills needed for the next grade level, she said.
“There’s a lot of teamwork, collaboration, planning, and training that goes into these decisions,” she said.
Working across all grade levels is one of the parts of the role that excites her most.
“I’m excited about getting to see the process from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade and seeing the whole puzzle being put together,” she said.
Leaving Russellville Elementary will not come easily.
“I’m going to miss the students and the teachers. Those are my people,” she said. “Seeing the kids every morning, that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
During her time as principal, Russellville Elementary received its first A/93 on the Alabama State Department of Education report card. The school also earned the 2025 Attorney General Safe School Award, one of only six schools in Alabama to receive the honor, along with recognition as a U.S. News Best Elementary School and Blue Ribbon School of Excellence recognition.
She said student growth remains the central focus.
“Our kids are more than a test score,” Warhurst said. “As long as we continue to see growth, that’s the whole purpose of our job. My goal is doing what’s best for our students. That will always be my top priority.”
