staff directory

SCHOOL LEADER & Assistant Prinicpals

SCHOOL LEADER

JULIANNE LANG 

jlang@lowcountryleadership.org

Julianne Lang is the School Leader at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. Mrs. Lang’s formal experience in education dates back 14 years, and her educational preparation goes even further. She currently holds a SC Educator’s Certificate in Middle Level English-Language Arts, Middle Level Social Studies, and an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Programs, as well as SC Administrative Certifications for Elementary Principal and Secondary Principal. Holding a BS in Education from the College of Charleston and Master’s of Science in Educational Administration from Purdue University, Ms. Lang is highly qualified to lead teachers and students in a K-12 setting. Ms. Lang serves as a Member At-Large on the Executive Committee for the South Carolina High School League for Interscholastic Sports as well as an advocate for charter athletes across the state. In her time as an educator, Ms. Lang has committed to regularly improving student achievement, whether through her previous teaching experience at the middle school level learning Rookie Teacher of the Year), or through developing teacher capacity and increasing instructional strategies in her buildings. Ms. Lang is committed to looking at the whole child. This philosophy lends itself to appeal to all types of learners, and through project-based experiences, allows students to take ownership of their own learning and get on a strong path towards becoming College and Career Ready. She believes that effective and frequent communication and the school-to-home partnership are core pieces to student success. You can reach her at jlang@lowcountryleadership.org.

Assistant Principal-Leader of Support and Accountability 

MICHELLE POLKEY

mpolkey@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Michelle Polkey serves as an Assistant Principal and one of the Administrative team here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has 20 years of experience in the education field.  She has a Principal Certification for both Elementary and Secondary Grade levels from Lamar University in Texas.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Arts in Biology from Central Connecticut State University.  She is certified in Middle-Level Science.  She has been married to her husband Joseph for 13 years and they have 1 child, Joseph, who is entering the 9th grade here at LLCS.  She has 6 chickens, 3 dogs, 2 birds, 3 hermit crabs, and a variety of fish.  She enjoys outdoor activities including swimming, kayaking, and hiking. She is also an avid reader, and can often be found after school hours, sitting outside under a shady tree near her pond. You can reach Mrs. Polkey at mpolkey@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling our front desk at 843-889-5527 and asking for ext. 122.  

Assistant Principal-Leader of Systems and Operations  

SARAH VANN

svann@lowcountryleadership.org

Sarah Vann is an Assistant Principal at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School, supporting school-wide systems and academic programs. She has worked in education for eleven years, the past nine years she has served at LLCS. Ms. Vann earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Converse College and a Masters Degree in Counselor Education from Clemson University. She studied educational leadership and supervision and completed additional graduate coursework at The Citadel Graduate College. Outside of her role at LLCS, she serves on the VirtualSC School Advisory Board, collaborating with board members to evolve the VirtualSC program to serve the needs of South Carolina students best. Ms. Vann’s educational background as a professional counselor-educator influences her person-centered educational philosophy.  She is committed to developing and sustaining school systems that support high-quality educational experiences. As an education leader, she values empathy and clarity in communication. Ms. Vann is dedicated to partnering with all stakeholders to develop student leaders through project-based experiences. 

SCHOOL COUNSELORS

LEADER OF UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELING / MEDICAL HOMEBOUND DESIGNEE

TIFFANY RICHARDSON 

trichardson@lowcountryleadership.org 

My name is Tiffany Richardson and I am the Upper School Counselor serving 6th-12th here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School.  I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Morris College in Sumter, SC. I then earned a Master of Arts Degree from Webster University in Counseling Mental Health. I went on to pursue and earn a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from The Citadel Graduate Program.  I have twin daughters, Ashley and Mackenzie, who are Seniors at Winthrop University (Go Eagles).  As an empty nester I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching sports, reality tv, reading and volunteering.

I can be reached at trichardson@lowcountryleadership.org  

LEADER OF LOWER SCHOOL COUNSELING / MEDICAL HOMEBOUND DESIGNEE

DONNA JACKSON

djackson@lowcountryleadership.org

 Mrs. Jackson will be serving as our new Lower School Counseling Lead. Mrs. Jackson is a graduate of West Virginia University, with an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and a Masters in School Counseling. Students are her inspiration! 


Mrs. Jackson is also a mom of two grown sons; they are her pride and joy. She would describe herself as a country girl at heart. In her spare time, she loves working on her small farm and spending time with all of her four-legged fur babies!



ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Teacher k5

JENNIFER NOES

jnoes@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Jennifer Noes is one of the Kindergarten teachers and this will be her 6th year at LLCS. She began her time at LLCS as a parent volunteer in the DLC helping catalog and organize the books. She then was hired as a Teacher Assistant in Kindergarten where she worked with great teammates and learned more about the curriculum. Last year, she moved back into a teacher position and took over one of the Kindergarten classrooms. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston and is certified to teach pre-K through 3rd grade in South Carolina. 

Mrs. Noes has been married to her wonderful husband Jay for 18 years and has two sons: Connor (7th grade) and Joshua (3rd grade) who attend LLCS. Mrs. Noes is excited to work another year with Ms. Carlson, her wonderful assistant extraordinaire, and can not wait to meet and get to know their new students. You can reach Mrs. Noes at jnoes@lowcountryleadership.org.

TEACHER K5

CAROLINE INFINGER  

cinfinger@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Infinger recently moved to the Charleston area from Richmond Hill, Georgia. She is beginning her second year in education. Mrs. Infinger earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southwestern University. She will graduate from her Early Childhood Education Master’s Program in Fall 2023. During college, Mrs. Infinger played soccer and later served as an assistant coach.  She has a passion for athletics, student leadership, and learning. Mrs. Infinger is looking forward to the start of the school year and meeting all of her Kindergarten students at LLCS! 

TEACHER 1ST

BRIANNA CURCIO

bcurcio@lowcountryleadership.org

Brianna Curcio is a first grade teacher at LLCS. She has a Masters in Teaching from Sacred Heart University as well as a Bachelors in Communications from Eastern Connecticut State University. She is originally from Connecticut, however she started her teaching career in Orlando, Florida and taught there for 3 years before moving to Charleston. She is entering her 5th year as a classroom teacher. She played soccer in college and currently enjoys traveling to new places, cooking and staying active. Specifically she enjoys cycling or doing outdoor activities such as pickleball, walking or hiking! She loves a good book, the beach and spending time with friends and family. She loves teaching and helping children grow developmentally. 

TEACHER 1ST

CHLOIE JANARO

cjanaro@lowcountryleadership.org

Miss. Janaro is starting her fourth year teaching and second year in first grade! She received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with a certificate in Special Education from Southern New Hampshire University. Miss. Janaro loves to support her students to grow as learners in all subject areas, but her favorite area of learning with her students is phonics. When Miss. Janaro is not in the classroom, you can find her at the beach or on a walk in the sunshine! 

TEACHER 2ND

ELISABETH VEGA

evega@lowcountryleadership.org

This school year is my second year at Lowcountry Leadership, I am very excited to continue to get to know the ins and outs of our school. This is also my second year as an educator, and I have loved every minute of it. I graduated from Kent State University in Ohio in May 2023. I am certified in Pre-K-5th grade, and I also have a degree in American Sign Language. Shortly after graduation, I moved to Charleston, and I love calling this city my home. I am so delighted to be your 2nd grade teacher this year! 

TEACHER 2ND

SARAH BANKERT

sbankert@lowcountryleadership.org

I am originally from Pawleys Island, SC, and just moved to Hollywood, SC! I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a major in Early Childhood Education. Go Gamecocks! My fiance and I enjoy weekends on the boat, long walks with our dog, Grizzly, and spending time with family. I have such a passion for education and can’t wait to learn and grow with my second graders! 

TEACHER 3RD

ALANNA FRAZIER

afrazier@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Frazier is excited to be your child’s 3rd Grade teacher this year and is looking forward to guiding her students on their educational journey. She is married with three children and has a German Shepherd named Rambo, who is very much a part of the family. Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Frazier proudly served as a Missile Technician in the U.S. Navy and is honored to be a Veteran. She has been a member of the Navigator Team for four years and is committed to continuing her growth as an educator. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and is just two semesters away from earning her Master’s Degree. Additionally, she is currently enrolled in the Teachers of Tomorrow program, focusing on Elementary Education. Mrs. Frazier is excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to get started with her amazing 3rd graders!

TEACHER 3RD

REBECCA CAMPBELL

rcampbell@lowcountryleadership.org

Rebecca Campbell is a Third Grade teacher at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has been teaching at LLCS since the opening of the school in the fall of 2013.  She has been an educator since 2010. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the College of Charleston and a Masters of Art in Teaching in Elementary Education from the Graduate School of the College of Charleston. She is certified in all core subjects in grades second through sixth, but third is her favorite grade to teach thus far! She is a Charleston native and loves living in the Lowcountry. She loves spending time at the beach and time with her niece, Lexi Brooke.  You can reach Ms. Campbell at rcampbell@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling our front desk at 843-889-5527

TEACHER 4TH

HOLLY MAXSON

hmaxson@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Maxson has been teaching for over 10 years. She is originally from New England, where she grew up with her sister, brother, and parents. She received her Bachelor’s in Graphic Design from Furman University. Since then, she has taught ESOL and Montessori across kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Recently, she earned her Master’s in Education from Lander University. Ms. Maxson loves working with children and is passionate about helping them advance academically and develop their social-emotional skills. She is looking forward to a great year with all of her students!

TEACHER 4TH

BRITTANY HOLLOWAY

bholloway@lowcountryleadership.org

Brittany Holloway is our 4th-grade teacher. I was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology from Bethune-Cookman University, a MAT in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University, and a MED in Teacher Leadership from Strayer University. She is also an adjunct professor at Allen University. Teaching has always been her passion and she strives daily to make improvements to my talent. She is part of Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education), Tau Beta Sigma (National Honorary Band Sorority), and Sigma Alpha Pi (The National Society of Leadership and Success). She loves promoting diversity and positivity throughout the classroom and plans on continuing this at LLCS. 

TEACHER 5TH

SAVANNAH HERNANDEZ

shernandez@lowcountryleadership.org

She is excited to be a part of the Lowcountry Leadership Charter School team as the 5th grade ELA teacher. She is an LLCS alum and a first-year teacher, having graduated this past spring from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. As a first-year teacher, she aims to strive for student success both in and out of the classroom. Her goal is to create a loving and welcoming classroom community, promote confidence in learning, and encourage students to respect one another, celebrate each other's achievements, and push each other to do their best. 

TEACHER 5TH

LISA MARTINEZ

lmartinez@lowcountryleadership.org

 Lisa Martinez is 54 years old and has been teaching for over 28 years. Despite her name, she speaks no Spanish. She has taught high school Home Economics for 19 years and has also taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Most recently, she taught pre-K four at a Presbyterian Preschool. She has two sons, ages 25 and 19, and a beautiful granddaughter named Lucy, who will be two in a couple of weeks. 

TEACHER ASSISTANT K5

GRACE CARLSON

 gcarlson@lowcountryleadership.org

My name is Grace Carlson and I am the kindergarten assistant working alongside Ms. Infinger I was born and raised in Charleston and now live in the Meggett area. I started out at LLCS doing Navigation Station and Guest Teaching and was then hired on as an assistant. Before working at the school I was a nanny, so I have had plenty of experience working with children. You can reach me at gcarlson@lowcountryleadership.org 

TEACHER ASSISTANT K5

JACKIE WOODS

jwoods@lowcountryleadership.org

While this is her first year as a Navigator, it is her 10th year in education. She has eight years of experience in Kindergarten and two years as an assistant to her previous lead principal. She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with an expected graduation date of December 2025. She is excited to be part of such a fantastic school and looks forward to getting to know everyone here.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

MIDDLE SCHOOL ELA/SS

SKYLER FISHER

sfisher@lowcountryleadership.org

This is her first year teaching Middle School English and Social Studies, although she has 4 years of experience in education, primarily in Special Education. She holds a Master of Arts in Social & Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Historical Studies from SUNY Empire State College. Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment, encouraging student participation and collaboration. She is also pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy at Liberty University, driven by a passion for educational equality and equity.


MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

JASMINE WINN 

jwinn@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Winn is the 6th and 7th grade math teacher and also serves as an ADEPT Mentor and Middle School team lead. This is her 11th year at LLCS and 18th year teaching. She has a passion for all things sports, especially football, and is a fan of the Florida Gators and Washington Commanders. Ms. Winn enjoys teaching math concepts using sports examples, real-world stats, and healthy competition. In her free time, she likes camping, floating down the river, and spending time with friends and family. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL ELA

CINDA GINN

cginn@lowcountryleadership.org

She is excited to be starting her 19th year of teaching at Lowcountry Leadership. She has taught middle school special education for over 10 years and is looking forward to returning to the general education classroom. She is grateful for the opportunity to live on Edisto Island, where she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and kayaking. She is a proud mother of three grown children, three dogs, and one cat.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH/SCIENCE

JACQULINE JONES

jjones@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Jones serves as our Middle School Science (7th) and Math (8th) teacher here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. Ms. Jones has six years of teaching experience within elementary and middle schools. Ms. Jones is enthusiastic about helping her students achieve their academic goals while creating a fun and welcoming environment where children can learn and excel. She is a graduate of Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a Pre-Professional Health concentration. Ms. Jones enjoys traveling, creating memories with family and close friends as well as embarking on new experiences. You can reach Ms. Jones at: jjones@lowcountleadership.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH/SCIENCE

EMILY CHADBOURNE

echadbourne@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Chadbourne serves as our Middle School Math (8th) and Science (7th) teacher here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. Ms. Chadbourne has worked with Fortune 500 bio-pharmaceutical and medical device companies implementing workforce planning solutions and training high-level executives. Additionally, she has six years of teaching experience in elementary and middle schools. Ms. Chadbourne is passionate about helping her students achieve their academic goals while creating a fun and nurturing environment where children can learn and excel. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Professional Health concentration. Ms. Chadbourne enjoys spending time with close friends and family, walks on the beach, and hiking. You can reach Ms. Chadbourne at: echadbourne@lowcountleadership.org. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES

ZACH DENTON

zdenton@lowcountryleadership.org

Mr. Denton is starting his 8th year in education. He is a 2017 Graduate of Coastal Carolina University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History. Mr. Denton has 7 years of teaching experience in Middle School Social Studies and English Language Arts- 6 of which have been at LLCS. In addition to teaching, Mr. Denton is an experienced baseball coach, having served in Assistant and Head Varsity Baseball Coaching roles. During his time with LLCS, he was a part of the baseball programs first winning season, first playoff win, and 3 Region Championships. He was also the recipient of 3 Region Coach of the Year Awards. In addition to teaching and coaching, Mr. Denton is an Ordained Minister, and a massive fan of good music. 

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

MATH

ERIC PYRON

epyron@lowcountryleadership.org

Eric D. Pyron, Sr. is the Math Teacher and Leader of Mathematics at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. He has 24 years experience in the education field. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Albany State University (HBCU) and a Masters in Teaching from The University of South Carolina. He is certified in Secondary Mathematics. 

MATH

JENNIFER GANDER

jgander@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Gander attended college in Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Mathematics, and then went on to earn a Masters of Teaching Mathematics and Science. Mrs. Gander loves teaching math and helping students truly understand and develop a strong mathematical foundation. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching Georgia Bulldogs football! 

ENGLISH

SHAY CALLESEN 

scallesen@lowcountryleadership.org

Mr. Callesen has been teaching for nine years. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in psychology and later earned his teaching certificate for middle and secondary English.  If he is not in the classroom, you can find Mr. Callesen teaching Tae Kwon Do.  In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with family.

ENGLISH

DENA JOHNSON 

djohnson@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Johnson has attended SUNY New Paltz, Long Island University, and Stony Brook University earning degrees in English Language Arts, Literacy, and Educational Leadership. She is passionate about books and loves vacationing at WDW. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with family.

SOCIAL STUDIES

SUSANNE KING

sking@lowcountryleadership.org

As a teacher at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School from its beginnings, she was honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. It is one of the most exciting achievements in her career, and she is committed to continuing to be that exemplary educator. She has a deep love of history, which she enjoys sharing with LLCS students. She strives to foster a culture of academic excellence through a nurturing approach. Entering her 26th year of teaching, she has taught at multiple levels, though high school holds a special place in her heart. This year, she will continue to uphold the LLCS mission as they work together to nurture and develop future leaders in the community that she and her family call home.

SOCIAL STUDIES

JAMES FERRARA

jferrara@lowcountryleadership.org

Mr. Ferrara enters his 18th year in education. When he is not teaching the story of America, he is adventuring with the family, reading up, staying healthy, and playing baseball. With a Post-Masters in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook, Mr. Ferrara strives to improve education and foster a love and advancement of life-long learning in all students. Together, we will grow as ever learning, ever growing, skilled leaders -  becoming Great Americans

SCIENCE

JUNE LOWRY

jlowry@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. June Lowry serves as one of our High school teachers here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the College of Charleston and teaches Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Marine Science.  She lives in Hollywood with her husband, Mr. Billy Lowry, and her son, Nathan Lowry, who was a graduate of LLCS in 2017.  She enjoys working with the students and fellow faculty members each day.  Her desire is to make a difference in their lives. She also loves animals, especially horses, swimming, and outdoor activities in her spare time.  You can reach Mrs. Lowry at jlowry@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling our front desk at 843-889-5527. 




career & technical education (cte) teachers

AGRICULTURE/SCIENCE

KATIE BALDWIN (9th-12th)

kbaldwin@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Katie Baldwin is our CTE teacher and Agriculture Program Coordinator. Ms. Baldwin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Science. After college, she worked with the NRHA and USEF professional horseman training, showing in events around the country. Ms. Baldwin is actively working to complete her Master's in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University. Ms. Baldwin is looking forward to joining LLCS and helping the Agriculture Program continue to grow. She is looking forward to collaborating with staff and students. She is most excited about the opportunity to serve as the new FFA advisor. As a proud FFA alumni, she is excited to foster meaningful, educational experiences for our student leaders.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BRIAN LEMONS (7th-12th)

blemons@lowcountryleadership.org

Brian Lemons is the CTE Instructor for Information Technology at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. He has an Associate Degree in Computer Technology at Trident Technical College. He is certified to teach Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses for Information Technology. He has 10 years of experience in the educational field. Before earning his degree, Brian Lemons served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years.  Mr. Lemons has been married to his wife Desiree for 13 years and they have 2 children: Jacob (13) and Samuel (9). 

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

DEREK GREENAWALT (9th-12th)

dgreenawalt@lowcountryleadership.org

Chef Greenawalt serves as our Food Service Director and is also our Culinary Arts Instructor here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. He is going into his 8th year at LLCS. Chef has a specialized degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from L’ecole de Cuisine at York Technical College. He has an extensive background working in fine dining restaurants and back-of-house management. When not at school you can find Coach Chef at the baseball field. He has coached Varsity Baseball for the last two seasons and is excited to bring home another trophy this year. He enjoys spending time with his lovely, beautiful wife and two children who also attend LLCS. He resides locally and is a valued member of our community. You can reach him via email at dgreenawalt@lowcountryleadership.org or by leaving a message with our front office staff. 

K-12 RELATED & FINE ARTS teachers

Physical Education Teacher

NICK DENTON

ndenton@lowcountryleadership.org

Coach Denton was born and raised from Charleston, SC. Being native from Charleston Coach Denton attended West Ashley High and graduated in 2017 then attended Toccoa Falls College (GA) playing baseball and pursuing a degree in Sports Management. This is Coach Dentons 3rd year teaching at LLCS and 7th year coaching Varsity Baseball at LLCS. During his free time Denton enjoys playing slow pitch softball, hanging out at Edisto Beach with his girlfriend, and hanging out with his friends and family. 

Art and Fashion Design and Construction

ELIZABETH REEDER

ereeder@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Reeder is a mom of three Navigators, Carson, Hank and Jack. She and her husband, Chad, live in Meggett. She graduated from College of Charleston in 2004 with a degree in Historic Preservation and Community Planning and a minor in Studio Art. She had her own children’s clothing business for 15 years before getting certified in Fashion Design and Apparel Construction and beginning the new CTE program at LLCS. She also teaches K-12 Art. She loves painting, drawing, sewing and relaxing on the boat!



SPANISH AND DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN

VERONICA RODRIGUEZ 

vrodriguez@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Veronica Rodriguez is the CTE Digital Art and Design teacher for Middle/High and the Yearbook Advisor at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She is starting her tenth year here at LLCS and her sixth year teaching yearbook. She has been married to her husband Edgar for 25 years and they have two daughters Olivia(20) and Isabel (13), and a puppy named Mia. 

You can reach Mrs. Rodriguez at vrodriguez@lowcountryleardership.org.



DANCE

RHIANNON CALLESEN 

rcallesen@lowcountryleadership.org

Rhiannon Callesen is a professional dance instructor. She has been teaching dance for 24 years, and teaching at LLCS for nine years. She traveled the US and Canada performing in multiple shows and touring with a dance troupe called 2Extreme. She was in the production of the Nutcracker for 16 years with the Morca Ballet company in Washington state. She was also a professional Flamenco dancer. She was a Swamp Fox cheerleader/dance team member for the Charleston Swamp Foxes arena football team. She has a daughter in the 11th grade at LLCS.

SPECIAL POPULATIONS TEACHERS 

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

PINCKNEY LEE

plee@lowcountryleadership.org

Pinckney Lee is one of the Special Education teachers at LLCS, marking his 18th year of teaching. He spent nine years teaching in Florida, with three years in 1st grade and six years in 2nd grade. He joined LLCS in 2015. Pinckney lives on Edisto Island with his wife and their animals, including two dogs, Jack and Rocky, and three cats, Daisy, Moe, and Watson. He enjoys spending time with friends, taking long walks on the beach, and floating down the Edisto River with Cole and his friends.

TEACHER ASSISTANT (SPED)

CELESTE TANNER

ctanner@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms.Tanner serves as the Special Populations paraprofessional here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has 19 years of experience as an educator. Ms. Tanner is also the Director of Navigation Station's extended school day program and the sponsor of the high school EXCEL Club. You can reach her at ctanner@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling 843-889-5527 ext. 160 

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

TERRANCE DAVIS

tdavis@lowcountryleadership.org

Mr. Davis is a Special Education Teacher at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. He is from Bath, North Carolina.  He has multiple years of teaching experience in the special education and the mental health field.  He has a Bachelors of Science from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. (GO PIRATES). He loves his students and looks forward to their daily adventures within his classroom. 

support staff

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

BRADY JOHNSON

bjohnson@lowcountryleadership.org

Coach Johnson is the Athletic Director here at Lowcountry  Leadership  Charter  School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from Erskine College where he played collegiate soccer and met his wife. He lives in West Ashley with his wife, Stephanie Johnson, and two daughters, Brooklyn (8) and Delanie (6). Coach Johnson is responsible for all middle and high school athletics. You can reach Coach Johnson at bjohnson@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling our front desk at 843-889-5527. 

MATH INTERVENTIONIST

JUDY WETZBARGER

jwetzbarger@lowcountryleadership.org

Judy Werzbarger is the math interventionist at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has a BS degree in education from UNC-Greensboro. She recently moved from North Carolina to Summerville with her husband Bill. She has a 27-year-old daughter. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, and watching college sports. Ms. Wetzbarger looks forward to helping the students become better math students starting with the basics and building a strong foundation. 

GT & EL TEACHER

BRANDI ATTEBURY

battebury@lowcountryleadership.org

Brandi Attebury is the Gifted and Talented Teacher for grades 3-5 and the Reading Interventionist for Grades K-2. She has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown College and a M.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State University, along with her Gifted and Talented Certification and Orton Gillingham Certification. She loves incorporating STEM into her classroom, and she is a huge proponent of the Science of Reading movement. Mrs. Attebury has 14 years of teaching experience in grades K-12, and she has been at LLCS since February 2020. Mrs. Attebury has lived and taught in many places including Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, Spain, and now South Carolina.  She loves spending time with her husband, Jon, and her two kids Kaylin (14), and Colton (11. As a family, they love playing with their dog, a labradoodle named Axel,  and traveling the world. Mrs. Attebury also loves to hike and curl up with a novel. 

LITERACY COACH/LEADER OF LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

MORGAN SOTT

msott@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Sott is entering her 11th year as an educator. She graduated from Clemson University and obtained her Masters in Education from Anderson University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with family. 

MEDIA SPECIALIST

BROOKE INGRAM

bingram@lowcountryleadership.org

I am entering my fourth year serving as the DLC Manager for LLCS.  I have been a part of the LLCS community for over seven years as a guest teacher and through volunteering for the DLC.  I am so excited to be the school librarian, fostering a love of reading in all of the students I teach.  

I have one daughter, Gabby, that will be a 7th Grader this year and will be playing for the LLCS JV Lady Gators Volleyball team!  GO GATORS!

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, and reading!

PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

MEGAN WHITT

mwhitt@lowcountryleadership.org

Megan Whitt is the Director of Lowcountry Leadership Pre-School and K-4 Teacher's Assistant.  She has 13 years of experience in the pre-k education field. She has an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in music from Spartanburg Methodist College. From there she completed the Childhood and Family Studies program at Trident Technical College before transferring to Charleston Southern University as an Early Childhood Education major with an emphasis in special education. She has been the choir director for Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church for the last 11 years and has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Sadie. 

LEADER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION / SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY

GUS RUFF

gruff@lowcountryleadership.org

Mr. Ruff serves as our school psychologist and special programs lead here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. He has 27 years of experience in the fields of education, assessment, and psychology.  He is a 1994 graduate of The Citadel where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.  He also has a Masters degree and a Specialist in Education Degree in School Psychology.  He is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).  Mr. Ruff served on the board of the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists (SCASP) from 1998 to 2001 as the Lowcountry Regional Representative.  In 1999, Gus was presented with the Regional Award of Excellence by the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists in Columbia, SC. He is also a member of Psi Chi, the National Honors Society in Psychology.  He has been married to his wife Theresa for 16 years and they have four children: Griffin (21), Kaede (20), Hotaru (16), and Maddie (8). You can reach Mr. Ruff at gruff@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling 843-889-5527 ext. 131. 

POWERSCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR & REGISTRAR

DENISE ARMSTRONG

darmstrong@lowcountryleadership.org

 Denise Armstrong brings over 31 years of experience as an office manager and administrator to Lowcountry Leadership Charter School.  Mrs. Armstrong began working for LLCS in 2013 in the LLCS Extended Day Program, Navigation Station. In 2014 and for the next five years, Mrs. Armstrong was the Director of NaviGation Station.   While serving as the Director, she also worked in the Gator Cafe and was one of our Administrative Assistant in the front office for 8 years.  Now she is the PowerSchool Administrator/Registrar and also oversees Attendance.  She is married to Robert Armstrong. Together, she and Mr. Armstrong have two adult children, four grandchildren, and two school-aged children, both of whom attend LLCS. 

FRONT OFFICE

DESIREE' LEMONS

dlemons@lowcountryleadership.org

Mrs. Desiree' Lemons serves as one of our proud Administrative Assistants here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has an Associate's Degree in Administrative Office Technology from Trident Technical College and specializes in communications, marketing, and outreach for LLCS.  Living in West Ashley with her husband, Mr. Brian Lemons, the IT manager/CTE teacher at LLCS, they have two boys, Jacob and Samuel, who also attend LLCS. As a Navigator through and through, Mrs. Lemons represents the Front Office department as the face of our school at the front desk, serving students, faculty/staff, and families each day. She's a jack of all trades that keeps up to date on school business, student services, and communication. You can reach Mrs. Lemons at dlemons@lowcountryleadership.org or by calling our front desk at 843-889-5527.  

FRONT OFFICE/ HR

ARNESHA GATES

agates@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Arnesha Gates is our Administrative Assistant - Human Resources position here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She has over 8 years experience in human resources and comes to LLCS with administrative assistant experience in the medical field.  Ms. Gates was born and raised in the state of Georgia, where her family still resides. She moved to SC back in 2020 with her 2 children, Rhyan and Rhylie, and 2 dogs, Rueben and Kai. Ms. Gates is currently studying for her Bachelors in Science Accounting and has a passion for dog breeding. A highly valued member of the LLCS Faculty and Staff already, Ms. Gates is a strong pillar and manager of financial and HR matters. 

GATOR CAFE

KAREN JOHNSON

kjohnson@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Karen Johnson serves on our Gator Cafe here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She was a firefighter/engineer for Summerville Fire & Rescue for 14 years then became a stay-at-home mom. She was born and raised living out here in the Lowcountry. She has 3 children Caden “15”, Jorja “11” and Hunleigh “6”. I have been a parent from the beginning of LLCS. In my spare time, I love to go hunting with my Fiancé Shane and go to the beach with my kids. You can always find me at a baseball game!  Can’t wait to see what this school year brings. Go Gators! 

GATOR CAFE

KELLEY CAPARASO

kcaparaso@lowcountryleadership.org

CAREER SPECIALIST

BARBARA SCHLENKER

bschlenker@lowcountryleadership.org

Ms. Schlenker is entering her third year at LLCS and 22nd year in education. She attended public schools k-12 here in Charleston, SC and received her post-secondary education at the University of South Carolina. She has 3 children; a daughter, Caitlin, who is married, is a graphic designer and lives in Asheville NC with her husband, Matt and their rescue dog, Dale Cooper, a son, Alec, who is also married, is a marketing specialist and lives in Charlotte NC with his wife, Theresa and their Goldendoodle, Lucy and a 21 year old son, Davis, starting his junior year at Carolina majoring in media arts. Ms. Schlenker has taught Career and Technology Education at several schools in the Charleston area, has been a cheerleading coach, DECA Advisor, Business Partner liaison and Project Lead the Way educator. She is currently the Career Specialist at LLCS as well as the CTE coordinator and Community Service coordinator. She is an avid Gamecock fan and loves to attend Gamecock sporting events! 

UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM 

KATE DEEMER

kdeemer@lowcountryleadership.org

BIO COMING SOON!

SCHOOL NURSE

MELODY KELLER 

mkeller@lowcountryleadership.org

Melody Keller serves as our school nurse here at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She completed her nursing program and earned an Associate of Science Degree from Trident Technical College. Mrs. Keller and her husband Rusty, have two children. Their son graduated from LLCS in 2020 and their daughter who graduated in 2024. Mrs. Keller has been at LLCS since its inception and remains involved in many organizations within the school and community. In her spare time, Mrs. Keller enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volleyball, boating, reading, and traveling. 

READING INTERVENTIONIST

BRINN KIRK

bkirk@lowcountryleadership.org

This will be her 6th year teaching at LLCS! This year I am sad to be leaving fifth grade but excited to begin my new position as the lower school reading interventionist. I graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas College in NY with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. My husband, and I live in North Charleston with our daughter. I can’t wait to begin this school year! You can reach Mrs. Kirk at bkirk@lowcountryleadership.org 

FACILITIES MANAGER

JR SUTLIFF

gsutliff@lowcountryleadership.org

BIO COMING SOON!