4 K
SaraH Dean
Hi, I am Sarah Dean. I am so excited to be the 4K teacher at CREECS. It’s going to be a great year full of new friends, new adventures, and new discoveries. This is my 6th year teaching at CREECS. I am a Charleston native. I graduated from College of Charleston with a Bachelors in Elementary Education. After college graduation, I moved to North Carolina. While living in one of the largest school systems, I taught Pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st grade in Guilford County Schools for 10 years. Then, my husband and I moved back to the Lowcountry to raise our two boys. McClellanville is a special place and we love living here in all its beauty. When I am not in the classroom, I love to spend time with family and friends in the boat and relaxing at the beach or reading a good book!
JENNie MCCLELLAN
Ms. Jennie McClellan is the assistant in the 4K classroom. She grew up in Georgetown, SC and now lives in McClellanville. She attended Horry Georgetown Technical College and Coastal Carolina University. She finished Coastal Carolina in 2007 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She taught and assisted at Archibald Rutledge Academy for ten years before starting with CREECS in 2014. In her spare time Ms. McClellan enjoys hiking and fishing in the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Kindergarten
Rosie Carter
Hi! I am Rosie Carter and I am so excited to begin teaching at CREECS! It is going to be a great year full of laughter, love, and fun. This is my first year teaching and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about it. I was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, SC and absolutely loved it. McClellanville has been my second home and I have cherished this wonderful community. I just graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina in 2023 with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education. In my free time, I enjoy the company of my friends and family and going on the boat or going to the beach to soak up the sun.
Claudia Kornack
Mrs. Claudia Kornack graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in French. She is the teacher’s aide in Kindergarten, assisting Ms. Rosie. She taught at Archibald Rutledge Academy for many years and is also proud to have founded TW Graham and Co Seafood Restaurant with her husband, Pete. She raised two beautiful children, Mary and Anna, and loves food, books, and flowers!
First Grade
Gabbe Dunn
Ms. Gabrielle Dunn graduated from Lander University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and The Citadel with a Master’s Degree in Literacy. This is her tenth year teaching First Grade and her fifth year at CREECS. She is passionate about teaching young children to read and write. She was born and raised in McClellanville and has a deep love for the village and community. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and her two young children, playing in nature at the farm and being on the water. She loves all things First Grade and is looking forward to another wonderful year of learning at CREECS.
Brenna Cain
I’m Ms. Brenna & I am the first-grade assistant. I’m a Charleston native and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2012 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught 4K at Archibald Rutledge Academy for a year & began teaching Kindergarten at CREECS the next year. I taught Kindergarten until 2016 when I decided to become a stay-at-home mom. However, McClellanville had a big part of my heart, and I knew I wanted both of my girls to go to CREECS when the time came. Now that my daughters, Raleigh & Gracie, are both here I just couldn’t stay away! I am very excited to be back in the classroom & can’t wait to see what this year brings! I like to spend my free time with family and friends being on the beach, in the boat, and watching sports.
Second Grade
Skyla TaglierI
I’m Miss Skyla, this is my third year here at CREECS and my second year teaching second grade! I moved to South Carolina after finishing my bachelors in Education at Montana State University. I have always had a passion for education and the outdoors. During my time at Montana State I taught at the Montana Outdoor Science School. After finding CREECS it felt like the perfect next step! Outside of school I enjoy running, hiking, kayaking and hanging out with my dogs Penny and Winston. I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching second grade and cannot wait for all of the fun and learning we have ahead.
Third Grade
ASHLEIGH MCCLELLAN
Ms. Ashleigh McClellan is thrilled to be working at the school she grew up in! She graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Early Childhood Education and recently received her master’s degree in Literacy Education from the Citadel. This is her ninth year at CREECS and her eighth year in third grade. Ms. McClellan has always loved working with children and is excited to share her love of learning with them! In her spare time she enjoys playing the piano, boating, baking, and spending time with her dog, Kingston.
Fourth Grade
Elizabeth Heath
Mrs. Elizabeth graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in Psychology and English. After graduating from college, she moved to Italy and was an Au Pair. During her time in Italy she began tutoring elementary-aged students and fell in love with teaching. Upon her return she became certified in Orton Gillingham and received her masters in Elementary Education. This will be her seventh year teaching and her fourth year here at CREECS.
Fifth Grade
CHRISTY CONNELLY DAWSEY
Mrs. Christy Connelly Dawsey is the fifth-grade teacher at CREECS. Christy is a graduate of Clemson University, and she received her B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Reading Education. She lives in McClellanville with her husband and her daughter, Ellie. She has been an educator for many years, and this will be her tenth year at CREECS.
Middle School Social Studies and English Language Arts
Beth Baldwin
Beth Baldwin is our Middle School ELA and Social Studies teacher. With over 20 years of experience in education, Beth is an accomplished teacher dedicated to nurturing young minds. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston. Currently, in her 11th year at CREECS, Beth’s passion for teaching has led her through various roles within the school community. She spent seven years as a Reading Coach and Lead Teacher, providing guidance and support to her fellow educators. However, her love for the classroom drew her back, where she continues to inspire and engage her students every day. Beth’s expertise, creativity, and commitment make her a valued member of the CREECS team. Outside the classroom, you’ll find her reading, going on the boat, and spending quality time with her family.
Middle School Math
Abby Duncan
Ms. Abby Duncan earned a degree in accounting and later went back to school where she received a Master of Arts in Teaching from the College of Charleston. Her first job out of college was on a horse farm where she worked under a dressage trainer, training horses and teaching riding lessons. After that she began her math teaching career at Archibald Rutledge Academy where she taught for 14 years. Ms. Duncan then taught in the Charleston County schools for 4 years. She teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade math. Ms. Duncan’s hobbies include riding and training horses and running.
Middle School Science
Sally Thomas
My name is Sally Thomas and I am so excited to be the Middle School Science teacher at CREECS! I have been a member of the McClellanville community for all 26 years of my life, and my academic background actually began in the very building I’ve been given the opportunity to teach in this year. In all of my years of school, I was a science-oriented student. I followed the pre-med track at Wando High School and continued down the same path even in college. I graduated with honors from Clemson University in 2018 with a degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences and, additionally, a minor in Business, to serve as an insurance plan for entering the job force, as I knew I wasn’t interested in pursuing Veterinary Medicine after graduation. While I am teaching this year, I will be enrolling in the Teachers of Tomorrow Alternative Route to Certification Program seeking my teaching certificate for both Middle School Science and Middle School Math, given that dual certification is offered as an option. I truly always have been a student at heart myself, and I’m looking forward to learning as much from these kids as they learn from me.
Principal
Margaret Crouch
Ms. Margaret Crouch is the Principal and Eighth Grade ELA teacher at CREECS. She received a B.S. in Sociology and Education from the College of Charleston and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. She has been working as an educator for 23 years. She is passionate about CREECS and its mission to instill a "love of place" in its students.
Additional Staff
Allie Purvis - Environmental Education
Mrs. Allie Purvis started coming on vacation to Kiawah Island when she was 2 years old and her love of the ocean and the Lowcountry has been going strong ever since. She got certified to SCUBA dive when she was 13 and knew she wanted to learn everything she could about the ocean. She moved to Charleston to go to graduate school in 2007 and graduated 3 years later with a Master's in Marine Biology never thinking she would end up as a teacher. Through her work with the SCORE program, a volunteer based oyster restoration program, she realized that she truly enjoyed passing on her interest in the natural world to others! From SCORE she moved to take over running the educational programs at the Sewee Center and a few other nature centers in the state for Friends of Coastal South Carolina. That's where she learned about CREECS and was more than excited when they invited her on to teach environmental education full time in 2014.
Heidi Smith - Art
Hello, my name is Heidi Smith. I have always enjoyed sharing my love of the arts with others, especially children. I graduated from The University of South Carolina with an English degree. Prior to getting into a classroom, I worked in visual display, staging and interior design. Once I started working with kids I was hooked and wanted to be in the classroom full time. I made McClellanville and CREECS my permanent home in 2022 as the art teacher. I love getting creative and messy with the students at CREECS and bringing out the inner artist in them all. My artistic passion begins with pottery, but continues with all mediums. I love to spend my free time in my pottery studio, with a book, or on the water. I work closely with the McClellanville Arts Council hoping to expose the community to the wonderful artists in our area.
APRIL ZORN - Response to intervention (RTI), Reading coach, and 504 Coordinator
Mrs. April Zorn graduated from Winthrop College with a B.A. in Psychology. In 2012 she earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston. Mrs. Zorn serves as a teacher mentor and evaluator, and she is trained in Orton-Gillingham IMSE. She has many years of experience working with young children. When she is not in school Mrs. Zorn enjoys spending time with her family, Clemson football, fishing, camping, boating, and shopping.
Joanna McClellan - Administrative Assistant
Joanna McClellan is the Administrative Assistant here at CREECS. She received her B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. This is her eleventh year at CREECS and she loves to help the students out with anything they may need! She has lived in McClellanville all her life and in her free time enjoys the outdoors. Her favorite place is on the water!
Lauren Richardson - School Nurse
Mrs. Lauren Richardson is so excited to be the school nurse at CREECS! She is a Charleston native and lived on James Island until 2020. She moved to Mt. Pleasant with her Husband Billy, 2 sons, daughter and goldendoodle. She attended Trident Technical College and received her Associates Degree in Nursing and became a registered nurse in 2012. She started out at the Medical University's Children's Hospital with pediatric cardiology patients. It was a very rewarding experience to help support pediatric patients and their families in such difficult times. In 2014 she accepted a position as a post anesthesia care nurse at Charleston Ear Nose & Throat's Surgical Center. She learned many new skills in PACU and in the Pre-operative setting. Her favorite aspect was being with her patients and calming fears and worries. She thoroughly enjoys talking with families and easing anxious hearts. It has always been her goal to become a school nurse and the opportunity to join the CREECS family is a huge blessing! When she is not a CREECS she enjoys being with her family, being on the water, running and crafting!
Allison Fender - Elementary School Special Education Department
My name is Allison Fender and I am the elementary special education teacher here at CREECS. I received my B.S in Special Education at The College of Charleston. After graduation, I took a job at a Title I school teaching 3 and 4-year-old students with developmental delays and Autism. It was rewarding and exhausting at the same time. However, when my first daughter was born in 2013, my husband and I thought it would be best for me to stay home with her for a few years. It was a wonderful opportunity, but I became a little "antsy". Since preschool was my first passion, I went on to work at a private preschool in Mt. Pleasant, teaching the 3's class and then became the Assistant Director of that same little school. My time in this role was short, as I was offered the SPED job at CREECS in December 2018. I've been working at CREECS ever since. Professionally, I have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham method and I hold an Associates level certification with the Orton-Gillingham Academy. My passion for teaching preschool has blossomed into a passion for teaching struggling readers. Furthermore, I love the sense of community we have at our school. I enjoy seeing my own children learn and grow here at CREECS. I appreciate that our teachers truly "know" our students and their families. I am grateful to be a part of the CREECS team.
Joanna Howel McClellan - Special Education Aide
Joanna H. McClellan is a paraprofessional in the lower school special education and intervention departments at CREECS. She has worked with our CREECS family for over seven years and is trained in both the IMSE Orton-Gillingham's Comprehensive and Intermediate Multi-Sensory Approach to reading. Ms. Jo resides in McClellanville with her husband and three children. In her spare time, Ms. Jo loves to watch college football (Go Tigers!), spending time with family and friends, going camping, boating and all things outdoors!
Leslie Shumard - Middle School special education
Leslie Shumard is the Middle School special education teacher at CREECS. Leslie earned her BA in religious studies and her AFA in theatre from North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. She earned her teaching credentials through the SC Teacher’s of Tomorrow Program. She is trained in IMSE Reading and Multi-Sensory Math instruction. Leslie has been a part of the CREECS family since 2014 when she began as a substitute teacher. Leslie resides in Georgetown, SC with her husband and 2 children.
Leslie Scott - Math Intervention
Hi, my name is Leslie Scott. This is my 3rd year as the math interventionist at CREECS. I grew up in Mcclellanville and am thrilled to be here at the school that was such a big part of my own childhood. My three daughters, Libby, Anne Frances, and Charlotte attend CREECS as well and I love getting to see them throughout my day! I have a BS in Financial Management from Clemson University and am currently pursuing a SC Teacher’s Certification in Elementary Education. My goal is to help students realize how important math is in our daily lives and to have fun practicing the necessary skills in a hands on way. When I’m not at school I love to be in the boat, at a concert, or rummaging through antique stores!
Amber Meadows - Physical Education
Mrs. Amber Meadows graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. This will be her fifth year as the Physical Education teacher at CREECS. Her passion is to provide the skills and opportunities for students to learn and develop an appreciation for a lifetime of physical activity. In her spare time, Mrs. Amber enjoys sports, spending time with family and friends, and all things outdoors. She is grateful to be a part of the CREECS family.