Bendall takes regional role at UNA

RUSSELLVILLE — Dr. Natalie Bendall has accepted a regional in-service center director’s role at the University of North Alabama.

In her new position at UNA, Bendall will work with school systems across Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Winston and Walker counties.

Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn said the new role reflects the focus of her job as curriculum coordinator – strengthening and encouraging teachers.

“She’ll be doing what I believe she loves most, teaching teachers how to teach, not just here in Russellville City, but across north Alabama,” Guinn said. “I know she will take that very seriously, as she has here.”

Bendall worked with principals and teachers from pre-kindergarten through12thgradetoselect curriculum, coordinate professional learning, and oversee initiatives such as the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Office of Math Improvement.

“Our teachers have to be prepared to make instructional decisions,” she said. “It’s not just about handing them a book and saying, ‘Follow this curriculum.’” At West Elementary, Principal Alicia Stanford said Bendall’s philosophy showed up in daily instruction.

“During times of change, she was present, accessible, and solutionoriented,” Stanford said. “She didn’t just roll out new initiatives. She walked alongside us.”

Stanford said Bendall connected district goals to classroom practice and remained visible during major curriculum rollouts.

Dr Natalie Bendall

“Our teachers knew they weren’t navigating new expectations alone,” she said.

Relationships remained central throughout Bendall’s career. One of those relationships now spans two generations. Liza Scott Bohannon, a gifted specialist in the district, was in Bendall’s first fifth-grade class in 2004–05.

Bohannon later returned to Russellville City Schools. Bendall visited her classroom each year to read a book she wrote and lead an art activity.

When her own son walked across the stage, Bendall handed him his diploma. She also helped lead the creation and implementation of the Golden Tiger core values.

“When I think of Dr. Bendall, the word ‘character’ immediately comes to mind,” said Tiffany Warhurst, principal of Russellville Elementary. “Her true legacy lies in her belief that who our students are is just as important as what they learn.”

Bendall said her professional role may be changing, but her connection to Russellville is not.

“I will always be gold blooded,” Bendall said. “I’ve just thrown in a little bit of purple now. I went from one alma mater to the other.”