Adem Dokmeci - Executive Director/Principal
Welcome back to our GREEN Charter family! We are looking forward to a fantastic 2018--2019 school year. My name is Adem Dokmeci and I have had the privilege of serving the Greenville and Columbia communities as the Executive Director of GREEN Charter Schools. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Physics, a Master’s in Education and have worked in the field of Education for over 20 years. I enjoy working with children of all ages and have had the good fortune of creating a productive learning environment by starting schools in Florida, New York and South Carolina..When I’m not involved with school activities, I enjoy time with my wife and four kids (which all are students at GREEN), playing soccer and watching NetFlix and HBO. This year will be a busy one as we are starting construction on 2 schools, one in Spartanburg and one in the Summerville area. I am excited to bring GREEN Charter to students and families across the state of South Carolina!

Ali Polat - Assistant Principal
I am thrilled to be a part of the GREEN Charter School family.  This school year will be my fifth year at GREEN Charter School as an Assistant Principal.  I am very excited to work with such a dedicated staff, hard-working students, and supportive parents.
My undergraduate and Master’s degree is in System Engineering but my passion is education. I also have a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I have been in education for more 10 years. I am passionate about building upon the success and fulfillment I have already experienced as a teacher, graduation coach and a college counselor.
When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my daughter. I am grateful to be in GREEN Charter School family. I look forward to another exciting year at GREEN.

Malana Fitzgerald - Lower School Director
I have loved being a part of GREEN since it opened its doors in 2013. The growth of our school has been amazing to watch each year. Before relocating to Greenville, I spent 8 years teaching 5th grade Math, serving as a district Math Coach, and math interventionist in Raleigh, NC. At GREEN I taught 4-6th grade Math as well as Pre-Algebra before becoming the Assistant Principal 3 years ago. When not at school, I stay busy being a mom and wife. I have a 5 year old daughter who will be starting Kindergarten at GREEN this year and a 2.5 year old son. Along with my husband, we enjoy trying new restaurants and attending events around town. I believe that positive relationships are the key to learning and growing and I look forward to creating these relationships with our students and parents this year. I know it will be a fantastic year!

Omer Toksoz - Upper School Director
My name is Omer Toksoz. I have worked in various parts of the world, from Africa to mid Asia. I have been in education since 2000. I taught math for 15 years. I have been serving in administrator position since 2011.  I have masters degree in Learning Sciences form Penn State University. I worked in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania past ten years.I am very happy to join the admin team at Green Charter community. I will serve as the Campus Director at the upper school. I will also continue my role as a teacher in Pre-Calculus course.I am married and we have four kids. We love sightseeing and travelling as a family. I like outdoor activities and grilling.

Katelin Spagnolo- Lower School Assistant Director
My name is Katelin Spagnolo and I am thrilled to be at GREEN Charter School. This is my second year at GREEN Charter where I will be taking on an administration role. Previously, I was the 1-6 grade Physical Education teacher. I am originally from Florida. I attended the University of North Florida where I got my Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education K-12 and played Division I soccer. I continued my education at the University of North Florida and got my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership for School Leadership.  In 2012, Mr. Adem hired me at River City Science Academy where I taught two years of middle school Physical Education and Health. While I began my teaching career in Florida, in 2014 I moved to Georgia where I taught three years of middle school Physical Education and Health. In July 2017, my husband and I relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, to be closer to family. After residing in Greenville for over a year now, I can truly say that I love it! In my spare time I love visiting with family and friends, traveling the world and playing sports! I am grateful for the GREEN Charter school family. I am looking forward to working with your children and having a successful school year!

Jodi Isaacs - Chief of Staff
I have been with GREEN Charter as a parent and educator since the doors opened to students in 2013. It has been an exciting journey with the tremendous growth and success of GREEN Charter Schools. For over 15 years I have been an educator and still look forward to each new school year. Working with students and parents is extremely rewarding, especially at GREEN Charter!

As Chief of Staff, I will be the liaison between GREEN Charter’s staff and Executive Director. My office will be located at the Upper School which will allow me to continue to mentor students with their academic and future endeavors. I will also assist Mr. Adem with the opening of our 2 new schools in Spartanburg and Charleston.

Brandi Moss - Kindergarten
"Hey ya'll!" My name is Brandi Moss. My family and I LOVE the Greenville area, so it is an awesome feeling to be so involved in our favorite community. I am entering my 15th year teaching and my 4th year at GREEN. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University (Go Tigers!), and a Master’s degree with a focus on Science Education from Walden University. My husband and I are both from the Upstate area. We have two children, Charlie and Stella. We also have two dogs, Carlie Jane and RJ.

Early Childhood is my passion because it is such an extraordinary experience to be involved at the ‘starting line’ of education. In our classroom, a school 'family' atmosphere is always established. We will help each other, cheer for each other, accept each other, and learn from each other. I look forward to working with you and being a part of this exciting journey!

Carole-Anne Craft - Kindergarten
Hello!
My name is Carole-Anne Craft and I am a Kindergarten teacher at GREEN Charter School in Greenville, SC. I graduated with a bachelors of arts in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University in 2016.
This will be my third year at GREEN. I have been very blessed to work as a teacher here. Not only is the faculty and staff encouraging and kind, but the atmosphere at the school has been refreshing.
I have loved having students of different cultures and backgrounds in my classroom, becoming a family. I have loved getting to interact with families and watch their children grow.
GREEN does a wonderful job of creating a safe place for learning, but also encourages a desire to never stop learning. In these past two years, I have watched my students fall in love with knowledge. Making lessons fun, interactive, and memorable is one of my favorite parts of teaching. My absolute favorite is watching my students smile as they remember something new they learned.
My goal as a teacher is to empower my students with confidence in themselves and encourage them to love learning new things each day. We have lots of fun while doing it too:)

Tamara Kilpatrick - Kindergarten
Hello! My name is Tamara Kilpatrick and I teach kindergarten at GREEN Charter School! I graduated with my BA in Early Childhood education from Coastal Carolina University in 2005. I taught kindergarten soon after graduating in Horry County. I moved to Greenville in 2010 to pursue my Masters in Early Childhood and taught 4K for Head Start. I have been at GREEN Charter School since the opening school year in 2013-2014. Other than teaching kindergarten, I also help manage kindergarten assessments and take care of our GREEN chickens. I love being at GREEN and feeling a part of a thriving and innovative school!

Whitney Boyd - Kindergarten
Hi, I’m Whitney Boyd and I am kindergarten teacher at GREEN Charter. This will be the beginning of my third year at GREEN, second as a full time kindergarten teacher. I graduated from the amazing, wonderful Clemson University earning my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I come from a family that has many teachers which is one major reason I decided to go into this profession. I was also inspired by many of my teachers throughout my education. I strive to not only educate my students academically but also positively influence them in many areas. With all the craziness and unfortunate things in the world, I want to create a place where students feel safe and learn to love and accept one another. I also make it a goal to instil confidence and self worth in my students. That’s why I love kindergarten, I feel like it is a prime age start positively impacting them so they can grow into awesome people...and they also make me laugh on a daily basis.

On a more personal note, I love attending Clemson football games...I’m at every home game and even some away games. Football is my favorite sport to watch overall but I enjoy watching many other sports as well. I’m a Yankees/Braves fan as well as the Falcons/Panthers. My favorite colors are Navy blue and pink, but I like all colors. My favorite place to go is Edisto Beach, or any beach for that matter. I love to travel and see new places and learn new things about different cultures. Which is another reason I like working at GREEN because I’m engulfed in a diverse range of cultures. I have an older sister who is a high school math teacher. I love music and can play the flute and piano, and hope to learn the guitar one day. I love spending time with friends and family and just having fun.

I look forward to this upcoming school year because I know it will be great!

Krystale McClure - Kindergarten Aide
Hey There! My name is Mrs. McClure, also known as Ms. King. This is my third year at GREEN as a Kindergarten Aide. I studied Elementary Education at Limestone College. I thoroughly enjoy what I do! It is so rewarding to be a part of your child’s kindergarten journey. Here at GREEN it's our mission to inspire our kids to not only have the academic success but to also encourage them to love one another. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my precious husband and our sweet fur baby, Chole. My family and friends mean the world to me so I love to spend time with them. I am excited to start a new year school year. See ya soon!

Sara Turner - Kindergarten Aide
Hello! I'm Sara Turner and this will be my fourth year at GREEN as a k5 aide. I have a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Early Intervention from Winthrop University. I am originally from the lower part of the state but have called Greenville home for 8 years now. When I'm not at school, I love exploring downtown Greenville or relaxing on Edisto Island with my 3 dogs and spouse. My favorite thing about our school is that we feel like one big family. I am so excited for a new school year and all the new experiences we will have in kindergarten this year!

Darshita Bhakta - Kindergarten Aide
My name is Darshita Bhakta.This is my third year at Green Charter School. I am a kindergarten aide and also help with after school care. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Here at GREEN, I always try to encourage my students to do their best and respect others. I am looking forward to meeting our new group of children this year. I know that we will have a great year full of fun times. When I am not at school, I enjoy cooking, going to the movies and spending time with family. My husband and I have been married for seven years and live in Moore, SC. I can not wait to make new memories this year!

Jennifer Molizon - Kindergarten Aide
Hi! I am Jennifer Molizon. I am starting my 2nd year at GREEN as Kindergarten Aide. I have an Associates of Arts degree from Greenville Tech and I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Here at GREEN we strive to create an environment that feels like home. We want to provide them with the education to insure their future success. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my sweet dog, Murphy. I love to read, sing, and dance. I am looking forward to meeting the new students coming and helping assistant them in a successful first year.I know this year will be full of new and fun experiences.

Caroline Arrowood - 2nd Grade Teacher
Hi friends! I’m Caroline Arrowood and I will be starting my 4th year at GREEN! This will be my 3rd year teaching 2nd grade, which is my all time favorite grade! I graduated from USC Upstate with a degree in Early Childhood Education. When I am not at school, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family, friends and my sweet German Shepherd, Brutus. ☺ I am a major Gamecocks and Dallas Cowboys fan!

 
Angela Harmon - 2nd Grade Teacher
My name is Angela Harmon and I am thrilled to be teaching 2nd grade at GREEN Charter School this year! I have a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. I am originally from California and relocated to Greenville 8 years ago. Teaching is my passion, and I have worked in the field of education for over a decade. When I am not in the classroom I enjoy spending time with my husband and our own four children, who are also a part of the GREEN Family! We have had the privilege of calling this school home for 4 years now, and watching it grow each year has been incredible. My hobbies include writing, art, and spending time in nature. I am looking forward to an amazing year of learning, community, and getting to know your precious children!

Suzanne Mahan - 2nd Grade Teacher
Hello students and parents! My name is Suzanne Mahan and I teach 2nd grade. My husband and I have lived in Greenville for 3 years and just had our first child in March; a sweet baby boy we have named James. I graduated from USC then went on to Converse College and received my Masters in Teaching. I have been a teacher for 5 years and absolutely love it! Outside of the classroom I love spending time with my family, reading, gardening, and staying active.

Simone Walter - 2nd Grade teacher
Welcome to 2nd grade! This will be my first year teaching at GREEN, and I am so excited to get to know you and your children. I taught preschool for 5 years, and 4th grade for 4 years. I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1997. I have 3 children: Iris is 5 and starting Kindergarten here at GREEN. Jonah is 12 and in the 7th grade. Elliott is 14 and in the 9th grade. I look forward to having a great year with the GREEN community!

Sarah Till - 4th Grade Science
I am excited about starting a new adventure as a 4th grade Science teacher at GREEN. I have been teaching at GREEN from the very beginning and enjoy the students and families. I have been married to a wonderful man (Mike) for 19 years. We have three awesome children (Michael, Joy, and Luke) and one miniature dachshund (Willie). I graduated from North Greenville University ‘89 and Gardner-Webb University ‘91. My certifications are in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. In my 17 years of teaching, I have taught 4K, K, 1st, 2nd, and 6th grades. I see myself as being a lifelong learner, so I look for ways to better myself. My desires for the children I teach are: to love one another, to encourage them to reach for the stars, and to have an awesome school experience.

Mallory Heuser - 4th grade Social Studies
Hello! This will be my 5th year teaching at GREEN Charter School. I have my BA in Elementary Education and am currently enrolled at Furman University working on my Master's in Special Education. I enjoy all things outdoors but especially hiking, camping, and exploring waterfalls. I have a beautiful nine year old daughter who will be in 4th grade at GREEN this year. My passion has always been teaching, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Lynn Flake - 4th Grade Reading
I am thrilled to be teaching ELA at GREEN Charter School this year! This is my 6th year teaching. I graduated from Clemson University with my Bachelors in Elementary Education. Before I studied at Clemson, I spent two years at Winthrop University studying special education and dance.
I am originally from Summerville, SC. Currently, I live in Greenville with my husband, son and our two cats! I love all things creative and really enjoy being outside. Some of my hobbies include reading, cooking, camping, and yoga. I LOVE being creative in the classroom and it’s my goal to and help each of my students discover a passion for reading and writing. Students can look forward to an interdisciplinary curriculum filled with challenging, engaging, and enriching experiences in my classroom that will keep them growing and excited to come to school!

Kelley Koch - 4th Grade Math
My name is Kelley Koch, and I absolutely LOVE working at GREEN! I taught 4th grade in Georgia for two years before moving to Greenville in 2015. This will be my fourth year at GREEN, and I will be continuing to work with my favorite age group, 4th graders!

Outside of the classroom, I love anything and everything outdoors. On the weekends, you’ll usually find me at a local farmer’s market, hiking, or running the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
I also have an adorable baby girl who will turn one this year! She is such a JOY and always fills our home with precious laughter.

I am beyond excited to learn, grow, and explore right beside our amazing 4th graders!
Thank you for sharing your children with me, and I look forward to this incredibly successful school year!

Erika Heath - 5th Grade Math
Hi, my name is Erika Heath and this will be my second year teaching 5th grade math at GREEN. I received my Bachelor's degree from USC Upstate in May of 2014, and I will be obtaining my Master's degree in December of this year. I will be certified in STEAM education, and I can't wait to implement all that I've learned about STEAM into the classroom this year. I am entering my fourth year of teaching, and I am super excited to be continuing my career at this amazing school. I have a four year old son, Easton, who will begin the 4K program this year. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with Easton, shopping, and drinking LOTS of coffee.

Rachel Lee - 5th grade Social Studies
This is my first year at GREEN Charter School. I am super excited to be teaching 5th grade Social Studies and to be a part of the GREEN Charter family. I graduated Cum Laude from USC Upstate with my B.A. in Elementary Education in May of 2018. When I am not at school, I enjoy traveling, scrapbooking, and spending time with my family, friends, and fur baby, Bella. Two of my favorite places to go are the Biltmore House and the Gulf Coast.Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to teach my students and guide them to learn and grow as individuals. I have always been passionate about Social Studies and I hope to pass that love on to my students. I am looking forward to a wonderful year here at GREEN Charter!

Mugdha Vashi - 5th Grade ELA
Welcome to fifth grade! I am so excited to be your teacher this year! I can't wait to get to know you. My name is Mugdha Vashi. I am a fifth grade ELA teacher here at GREEN Charter School. I am so excited to start my fifth year at GREEN! I enjoy reading, painting, and gardening. I graduated from Converse College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Shortly after I graduated, my love of learning took me back to Converse to earn my Master's degree in Education and Gifted & Talented endorsement. Throughout this year, my hope is to instill a passion for lifelong learning into each child. My goal is to help my students acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to become productive members of society. I will encourage students to take the initiative in their learning and present them with opportunities that will allow them to think critically. I truly believe that every child is capable of learning and achieving success if given the appropriate amount of attention, support, and guidance.

Elizabeth McClure - 6th Grade ELA
I am excited to enter my fifth year of teaching. A native of Charleston, I graduated from The Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, where I concentrated in creative writing. I later earned an English degree from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi. I am currently enrolled in Clemson University's Masters of Education in Literacy (ESOL)....Go Tigers! My goal as an educator is to create interdisciplinary curriculum that engages all learners and allows them to see the value of reading and writing in their lives. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, practicing yoga, learning to play disc golf, cheering on my students at sporting events, and taking hikes throughout the upstate with my black lab, Mac.

John Ott, Jr - 6th Grade Social Studies
My name is John Ott, Jr. and I will be teaching sixth grade Social Studies at GREEN Charter this year. I have an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education by the South Carolina Department of Education, meaning I have received special training to help meet the needs of Gifted and Talented students here at GREEN. I graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities with a pre-professional degree in creative writing. I then received a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College Magna Cum Laude. I am also a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and have had scientific research published in the scientific journal of the Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Proceedings. I am currently in the process of pursuing further educational opportunities as I work toward completing a Master's in Gifted and Talented Education. I look forward to helping students see the connections between Social Studies and current advancements in the science and technology of renewable energy.

Neha Parthasarathy - 6th grade ELA
This will be my first year teaching at GREEN Charter School and I am so excited! This is my fourth year teaching overall--I can't imagine a better profession! As for my background: I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a double Bachelor of Arts in the fields of Political Science and English. I also have my Masters of Science in Teaching- Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins. I grew up in Greenville, but spent several years teaching in Memphis, TN--the city that will always have my heart! In my limited spare time, I like to read, cheer on the Carolina Gamecocks and the Memphis Grizzlies, listen to music, go out to brunch with friends, and nap. Looking forward to a great year at GREEN Charter!

 Claire Berg - 6th grade Science
Hi All! I'm looking forward to joining you for a great year at GREEN Charter! I truly enjoy teaching middle schoolers and guiding students through scientific connections in the world around them! I am a career changer, and I have been teaching for the past 6 years. I spent 5 years at Greenville Middle Academy and last year I joined the GREEN Charter family. I received a MAT degree from Clemson University in 2012, STEAM certification in 2017, from Clemson, and a BFA from the University of Georgia in 1995. I look forward to sharing my love of science/STEAM with all students. Parents are welcome to join our classroom and share their time and talents in science. Outside of school, I enjoy a smorgasbord of of activities and living in Greenville allows for countless opportunities from the mountains to the beach. Last year was a big one for our family, my daughter graduated from The College of Charleston in Scenic Design and my son graduated from High School and will be attending Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago this fall as a freshman. The best is yet to come!

Chelsea Bolt 6th Grade Math
Hello all! My name is Chelsea Bolt and I will be teaching 6th grade math. I look forward to working with you all at GREEN Charter. I am a recent graduate from Clemson University and have an emphasis in literacy, culture, and diversity. My goal is to help students realize their problem solving potential so they can navigate this every changing world. I hope that these skills instill a passion for learning in the students that they will carry with them beyond the classroom.

Elizabeth Burnette - 6th grade Math

I was born and raised in Greenville, SC.  I was an active swimmer from the age of 8 until the age of 18.  Then, I coached for a couple of years after that.  I graduated from Winthrop University in December 2002.  Since then, I have been teaching both elementary and middle school students.  I have been so grateful and thankful to become a member of the GREEN Charter School family.

Angelique Piotrowsky - Middle and High School Math
My name is Angelique Piotrowsky, and I am very excited to join the team here GREEN Charter
School.  I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina where I lived in Cayce West Columbia and South Congaree for 11 years before moving to Belton, South Carolina.  I attended Lander University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mathematics with Secondary Certification.  After graduating from Lander, I began working at T.L. Hanna High School where I taught math for eight years.  I also worked at Belton Middle School for one year as a math teacher.  This year will be my tenth year teaching. 

Along with teaching, I enjoy playing strategic board games with my husband and son.  Some of our favorite games include Qwirkle, Forbidden Island, Wits and Wagers, and Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock.

I look forward to a wonderful and exciting year here at GREEN Charter School.

Kellie Anderson - 7th and 8th Grade ELA
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, I sought opportunity to expand my education and soccer career at a private college in Iowa called Wartburg College. While playing soccer, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in English Education. After undergrad, I accepted a 7th and 8th grade teaching position with a small school district near where I attended college. In addition to classroom teaching, I was a model teacher. This allowed me to assist teachers with curriculum, classroom management, and various teaching strategies. Throughout the four years I was teaching in Iowa, I developed a love for running. I have participated in numerous half-marathons around the Midwest and completed three marathons in Chicago. Between teaching and running, I started working on my masters degree in Teaching English in Secondary Schools through the University of Northern Iowa. I am excited to be graduating in December of 2018. I am looking forward to sharing my reading, writing, and journalism passions for a second year at GREEN Charter.

Steve Creasman - Middle and High School Social Studies
I am in my thirteenth year of teaching history, government, economics and geography to high school and middle school students. This is my fourth year at GREEN Charter School. I will be teaching AP Human Geography, United States History and World History in the Upper School. I will also be leading a club covering various topics in military history. I received my undergraduate degree in history from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and my Masters in International Relations from Norwich University in Vermont. I was also fortunate to spend 6 years in United States Marine Corps expeditionary special operations capable unit getting to travel to most of the areas in the world we will be discussing. I like to run ultra trail marathons in the 50k to 100 mile range, rock climb, kayak, read, hike, study Catholic Theology and spend lots of time with my amazing wife and our dog and two cats. I spend most of my free time deep in the mountains of Western NC and Eastern TN.

Lenette Hernandez - Middle and High School ELA/Speech and Debate
After graduating from Florida International University, I earned my professional teaching certificate and became an educator in 2000. Since then, I have taught language arts at both the middle school and high school levels. I was welcomed into the GREEN Charter family in 2015 when my family and I moved to South Carolina.

Jarrod Moore - Athletic Director & AP US History
My name is Jarrod Moore and this is my second year at GREEN. I have been teaching for 10.5 years, all of them at the high school level. I have also coached at the high school level for that same stretch of time. My lovely wife of 10 years is also a teacher in the Greenville area. We have two children, Ethan and Claire, who are in 3rd and 4th grades respectively. We spend our free time enjoying each other’s company with day trips, family movie nights, and time at the pool. I enjoy spending my down time reading, writing, working out, and watching old Ric Flair wrestling matches.
I am excited about the academic and athletic opportunities with the upper school students I will have the privilege of teaching and leading this year. I am also looking forward to creating GREEN’s 8 man football team. It’s going to be a great year, and in case you are wondering I am a fan of Pepsi, Teddy Roosevelt, Cow Tails, ankle socks, charcoal grills, C.S. Lewis books, the movie Anchorman, and all things Ric Flair.

Fethi Ozdem - Chemistry/PLTW
My name is Fethi Ozdem and this is my first year at GREEN Charter School. This year will be my nineteenth year in education.  I have taught Chemistry in different countries and served as principal.  My wife is also a teacher. We have twin boys, Erol and Birol, who are in first grade this year. I like soccer, chess and reading.

I am so excited to join the team here. I will teach Chemistry, PLTW (Medical Detectives) and PLTW (Computer Integrated Manufacturing).

Education Background:
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, 1998
Master’s Degree in Education (with a concentration in Chemistry), 2006
MBA, 2012
Completion of three years (30 credit) Phd in Management, present

Casey Rae Stewart - Spanish
Hello! I am very excited to be joining the GREEN Charter family. Growing up in Guatemala, I developed a huge passion and heart for the Spanish language and Culture. I came to the United States to attend North Greenville University, where I graduated with a degree in Education and have been teaching ever since. I enjoy spending time with my husband, soccer, coffee, music, and being crafty. Spanish is a big part of who I am and I couldn’t be happier to be able to share my passion with you for all at GREEN Charter. Here’s to a wonderful year!

Lauren Barth - Social Studies
I’m from Augusta, GA and moved to Greenville in 2015 after getting married. 2018-19 will be my 5th year teaching social studies and I’m excited to be part of the GREEN family! I’ll be teaching 7th grade social studies, 8th grade social studies, Human Geography, and Gov./Econ. I’ve always had a passion for history and am always down for a conversation about the Kennedys, Teddy Roosevelt, or the 1920’s. My favorite things to do are cooking, hiking, shopping, and running.

Ozgur Eren - Turkish
I am very excited to be part of such a successful school and a wonderful team of staff. I attended Osh State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign languages. This year I will be teaching 7th ,8th ,9th graders. I am looking forward to working with those students who would like to learn Turkish.

Maryeah Kramer - Middle & High School ELA
Hi! My name is Maryeah (pronounced like Mariah) Kramer, and I’m delighted to say this is my 12th year teaching English. As a Navy family, we lived in four states before we moved to South Carolina when I was 14. I have a Bachelor of Arts in both English and History from Converse College, and then I also received my Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English from Converse as well. I have taught every level of English from 8th grade to college English 220. I began my teaching career in Union County at Jonesville High School, and have also taught for ECPI University, Greenville Technical College, York County Technical College (online) before coming here to teach for Green Charter School.
I enjoy painting, sculpting, reading, taking up new hobbies in general, and spending time with family.

Nizamettin Yildiz - Math
Hi My name is Nizamettin Yildiz and this is my second year with the GREEN Charter family. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Education/Math and then got my Master's degree in Educational Economy and Planning. I have taught Math for the past 19 years in Arizona, California, and Ohio. I also coached school math teams and had the opportunity to prepare students for a wide range of mathematical activities. I am very honored and happy to be a part of such a good team at GREEN Charter!

Kristin Harms - Biology & Middle School Science

My name is Kristin Harms Matthews and I am very excited to become part of the GREEN Charter School family. This will be my 10th year as a science teacher. My previous career involved working as an environmental geologist for 15 years. My educational background includes a Bachelor's of Science in Geology from the University of Georgia, a Master's of Science in Geosciences from Mississippi State University, and a Master's in Teaching from Clemson University.

My favorite things are animals, traveling, sporting events, and rocks (of course). Regular visitors to my classroom include Albert Einstein (the fuzzy Holland Lop-eared bunny) and his twin sister Pancake, guinea pigs Leonard and Paris, and a chunky white hamster named Snowball. My latest and greatest adventure was traveling to Iceland last summer and falling in love with the people, the culture, and the country.

I look forward to a wonderful and exciting year here at GREEN Charter School.

Jill A. Strickler - Middle & High Math
My name is Jill Strickler. I am originally from Spartanburg, SC and am in my 23rd year of teaching. I have taught in both the public and private sectors, with the last six years being in a Public Charter School. I've taught middle school Science and Math and have been a Math and Science Instructional Coach for teachers.
I live in Greenville, SC with Richard, our two boys, two dogs and a cat. I enjoy the outdoors, exercise, reading and watching my son play lacrosse.
This is my first year at Green Charter School and will be teaching middle and high school Mathematics. I am excited to meet my new students and look forward to a great year.

 Angélica Camargo - Middle & High Spanish

Hola, My name is Angélica Camargo and I am your child's Spanish teacher. I am really excited about teaching such great students this year. This is my first year at "Green" and my second year teaching Spanish. I really look forward to all of the language acquisition possibilities of each and every child in my classroom.

My goal is to have your student enjoy language acquisition, have them understand the language, experience it through conversations and real use of the language. To acquire Spanish, and be functional in the language by the end of the school year and beyond.

Yuksel Sonmez - Science
This will be my 5th year at GREEN Charter. I am starting my 23rd year as a teacher and am still excited to learn! My expertise is engaging the students with fun and creative Science experiments and exploration.

Megan Lewis - 4K Teacher
My name is Megan Lewis. I graduated from North Greenville University in 2007 with a BA in Early Childhood Education. I've been teaching for 11 years. This will be my fifth year here at GREEN Charter. I've mostly taught 2nd grade while at GREEN, but I've taught all ages from birth to 5th grade. I'm so excited that I'll be teaching in our new 4K program this year and helping students become lifelong learners!

Kristian Farstad - 4K Aide
I’m Kristian Farstad and this will be my fifth year working at GREEN. I am excited to start my newest adventure and first year in 4K!

Connie Payne - 4K Teacher
Next year will be my fourth year at GREEN Charter School. While here at Green, I have been a Math tutor, taught a Middle Level PLTW course entitled Green Architecture and worked in the Special Education Department. My husband, Mark and I live in Easley. We met while attending Clemson University. I have a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson and a MAT in Elementary Education from Converse College. We have two grown daughters and one grown son, all of whom also graduated from Clemson. I have been teaching for 20 years, most of the time teaching Math and Science to 5Th graders.In my spare time I love to go visit my children and spend time with my friends. I really love young children and can’t wait to love and help teach your child next year.

Kate Stevenson - 4K Teacher
My name is Kate Stevenson and I am very excited for my first year at GREEN Charter School! I earned my bachelors in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston and have worked in education for several years. I am new to the Greenville area and I have absolutely fallen in love with the area. I am looking forward to a great new year!

Sara Hamby - Guidance Counselor
My name is Sara Hamby. This is my fourth year serving as guidance counselor at GREEN Charter School, and it is my fifth year as a GREEN parent. I love the Mission of GREEN Charter School, and I appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve such a diverse student population. I grew up in East Tennessee and completed both a Master of Science in Sociology (2005) and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Middle Tennessee State University. I am a certified adoptions investigator, and I have worked with the Department of Social Services as well as Greenville Technical College. I have served children of all ages as well as young (and not-so-young) adults. I am active in community social justice efforts and am familiar with a variety of community resources. I hope to provide a safe and comfortable space for your children to be able to receive whatever services they may need.

Wendy Ward - Special Education Coordinator
My name is Wendy Ward and I am thrilled to be starting my 20th year in Education as GREEN Charter’s Special Education Coordinator for all of our campuses. This will be my third year at GREEN. I am passionate about helping students with learning differences succeed in school and in life. I hold a BA in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching Special Education, both from the University of South Carolina. In addition to having taught in various special education settings, I developed and marketed children’s educational materials at Super Duper Publications and worked as an Educational Diagnostician in Greenville County Schools. I enjoy reading, exercising, traveling (especially to the islands of the Caribbean), and spending time with my husband of 15 years, my 11 year old daughter, 8 year old son, and our cat, Muggles (named for the Harry Potter series). It is my mission to create a safe and positive learning environment for our students with differences so that they may attain academic, emotional, and social success, as well as to support our educators in helping students reach their full potential.

Atrez Flemings, Special Education Teacher Grades PreK – 6

My name is Atrez Flemings and I am so excited to be joining the GREEN Charter family. Just as exciting is that I will be joining the family doing what I love, working with different learning needs and styles. I have worked with students with differing needs for the past eight years. Before teaching I worked as a law enforcement officer after I earned my Bachelors Degree from the University of South Carolina. I then earned my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Liberty University in Virginia. I have been married to my best friend for the past 12 years. Together, we have two beautiful daughters, ages 9 and 14. In my free time I enjoy cooking and gardening. I look forward to working with the faculty and students at GREEN.

Jessica Harrison - ESOL Coordinator/Teacher
My name is Jessica Harrison and I am the ESOL coordinator and teacher here at GREEN. I am excited to start my 4th year teaching here! I received my BA in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University and am currently taking classes at USC Upstate. I had experience teaching under privileged children before starting at GREEN.
My husband, Jimmy, and I have 2 children. Adalin is a feisty 4 year old and David is our sweet 2 year old. We also have 1 dog, Brice. Needless to say, our house is very busy!
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and finding quiet time to read.
I look forward to seeing what this school year brings!

Muzeher Cakmaktepe - ESOL Teacher
My name is Muzeher Cakmaktepe. I am so excited to join the team of Green Charter as an Esol teacher.  I have been teaching English for 16 years.  I graduated from the translation and interpretation department and have a masters degree in English Literature. I am also a PhD candidate in English Literature. I am a keen reader of interdisciplinary studies such as psychology and literature.  In my free time, I like spending time with my family, cooking, getting together with friends and reading.

My goal for this year is to share my experiences with my students as I am aware of the obstacles as a second language learner.  I will help them to acquire English rather than learn it.  During our studies, we will turn our cultural diversities into stepping stones to gain competency in English.  I am excited to learn from my students and am looking forward to meeting with them.

Jennifer Shriver - Read to Succeed Coordinator
My name is Jennifer Shriver and I have been teaching at GREEN since it's induction. I began here teaching First Graders and currently serve as Reading Specialist. Prior to my years at GREEN I taught in Anderson District One and in the Greenville County School District. I love to read, spend time in nature with my family, and cook healthy meals.

Hannah Banks - Reading Interventionist
I am so excited the be a part of the Reading team at Green Charter School again this year! I was born and raised in Sumter, SC, where my family still lives. I graduated from North Greenville University in 2011 with a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband and I live in Greenville near Travelers Rest with our dog, Jack, and we love spending time together. I have been teaching within the early childhood field for the past 6 years. First grade is where my heart belongs! My plan for the future is to obtain a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. It is my calling to teach children and it is my purpose to facilitate a nurturing environment in which my students can reach their full potential as learners. I am thrilled to be a part of Green Charter School, and I am looking forward to another spectacular year.

Cheryl Richey - Speech Pathologist
I am thrilled to join the GREEN family this year as the new speech-language pathologist! I’ve spent my whole life in Southern California and just moved to beautiful Greenville in June. I’ve been an SLP for over 30 years, the last 21 years at an elementary school in CA. I received my B.A. and M.A. in communicative disorders and speech pathology from CSU Long Beach. I love working with students and helping them become better communicators!My husband and I have two adult children and a new daughter-in-law. In my spare time I enjoy exploring our new surroundings and spending time with my family. I look forward to meeting my new students and their families!

Susan Markford - Power School Administrator
Hello! The 18-19 school year is my SIXTH year at GREEN. After 12 years at home with my two daughters who will enter the 7th and 10th grades this year, I dipped my toe back into the workforce by becoming a part-time receptionist at what is now the Lower School. This year will be my 4th year as the PowerSchool Admin for GREEN Charter School, and I also work with the Administrative teams on tasks and projects to keep the school running smoothly. When I'm not at school, I am spending time with my husband Darin who is an Engineer and our girls Zoe and Sophie, as well as our Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie mix) Percy Jackson. I love GREEN Charter, and I am excited to share it with you!

Amie Fisher - Upper School Secretary
Hello! My name is Amie Fisher and I work in the Main Office at our Upper Campus location. This will be my 6th year at GREEN Charter School. My degree is in Business Administration. I am excited to begin another year at GREEN, and for our continued growth! The students, parents, and staff are amazing and I truly enjoy interacting with all of them on a day to day basis.

My family is originally from the Southside of Chicago. We relocated to the Greenville area in 2011 and I couldn't think of a better place to do life! I love to spend my free time with my friends and family, hiking, taking our new pups on adventures, reading, and crafting.

Kayla Storm - Lower School Secretary
My name is Kayla Storm and I have two daughters that attend GREEN, a 6th grader and a 3rd grader. I am looking forward to starting a new adventure as a secretary, after staying at home with my girls for the past 10 years.  My family and I are huge Disney World fanatics! We also really enjoy taking trips to the beach and the mountains. When I am not chauffeuring my girls to and from after school activities, I really enjoy reading.

Elizabeth Rollyson - Lower School Secretary
My name is Elizabeth Rollyson and I am excited to say that 2018-2019 will be my second year as GREEN Charter's Lower School Secretary. The wonderful families, students and teachers of GREEN can't be beat! I have two children of my own, one who has attended GREEN Charter since 2014. My oldest is a Dental Assistant for a local orthodontist. My degree is in Psychology and I love working with adults and children every day.

Cori Walter - College & Academic Counseling
As GREEN Charter’s College Counselor, it will be my responsibility to help lead the smart and talented students of GREEN Charter on their path to higher education and beyond. I truly look forward to working with students 1-on-1 and helping to make a difference in their academic lives. Most recently, I worked as the program director for Early College at Greenville Tech. I began my career of counseling students in Admissions at Rollins College in Florida. I have over ten years experience in admissions and academic counseling and am excited to be a member of GREEN Charter’s faculty.

Rebecca Odom - Teacher Aide

I have been a child care provider (educator) for eight years. The Past eight years I have worked with children of all ages ranging from 12 weeks to 12 years old. I am so honored to be at GREEN and being the K4 Aide in my classroom. I have ECD 101, and during my senior year of high school I took Teacher Cadet along with AmeriCorps which is where I knew I wanted my career to be with children. I love the children. This age is such a fun year, Having so many special milestones during the 4-5 years of a child's life, I am blessed and excited to be a part of your child's life.

I grew up in Inman, South Carolina. I moved to Greenville five years ago, I wanted to see what living in a bigger city was like. I am recently married and my husband and I recently got a puppy, Her name is Eve, and we love her very much. Some of my Hobbies are Reading and going downtown or hiking with My husband and lil Eve. I’m so excited to have this opportunity to work at GREEN and can’t wait to see what the year has in store for the K4 program.

Melissa Quinn-Rubenstein - Special Education

My name is Melissa Rubenstein and I am very excited to be joining GREEN Charter this year as the Special Education Teacher for the upper campus. I have worked with students with learning differences in several different settings in both Florida and South Carolina. After receiving my Bachelors degree in Special Education from the University of Central Florida I began my teaching career at my alma mater in Boca Raton, Florida. My husband and I relocated to the Greenville area to begin our family and enjoy all the beautiful weather and nearby mountains. We were blessed with a full family all at once when we had triplets in 2009. Life has been full of love, laughter and learning since the day we all became a family. After taking a few years off to raise babies I have enjoyed getting back to teaching these last couple of years. I feel privileged to have this opportunity to work with the diverse population of students here at GREEN Charter.

Kenya Farley - Nurse
My name is Kenya Farley and I am a registered nurse. I have two daughters that attend Green Charter, a 3rd grader and a kindergartener. I am excited about my new journey as school nurse for Green Charter. I have been in the nursing field for over 23 years. I have a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree with a focus on leadership from the University of South Carolina. School nursing has been a fulfilling career path for me and my family and I look forward to working with the Green Charter family.