SC Gear Up-- Staff Directory


		Preparation Timeline \| Tips for Making the Grade \| Helpful Links

		Helping Your Child Succeed \| Money for College \| Helpful Links

		Motivating Your Students \| Helpful Links \| Workshops and Professional Development

		Partnership Benefits \| Tips on Volunteering

		Find the People You Need

SC GEAR UP 1333 Main Street, Suite 200 Columbia SC 29201 Phone: 1.888.200.0562 Fax: 803.734.2279

QUICK LINKS

	SC GGEAR UP Staff by Agency:
	SC Commission on Higher Education SC Chamber of Commerce
	SC Gear Up Staff by HIgh School:
	C. E. Murray High School Colleton County High School Creek Bridge High School Crestwood High School Denmark-Olar High School Edisto High School Estill High School Lamar High School Lower Richland High School	Manning High School Military Magnet Academy North Charleston High School Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School R. B. Stall High School St. Johns High School Wilson High School Woodland High School

SC GEAR UP Staff at the
SC Commission on Higher Education

Dr. Karen A. Woodfaulk
SCCHE Director of Student Services
Kwoodfaulk@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-2226

Karen Woodfaulk is a graduate of Barry University (B.F.A., 1974), New Mexico Highlands University (M.A., 1975), and Florida State University (Ph.D., 1987). She served as Coordinator of Academic Programs at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (1992-97) and became Director of the Student Services Division in 1997.

She is the project director of the state GEAR UP grant awarded in 1999. Prior to that, she has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Allen University, (1987-92);Research Assistant, Office of the Vice President for Minority Affairs, Florida State University (1985-19870); and Department Chairperson and Associate Professor at Claflin College (1979-84).

She is a member of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Women in Higher Education. Recent professional affiliations include membership in the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE).

Rae J. McPherson
SC GEAR UP Program Manager
rmcpherson@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-2706

Rae McPherson grew up in Greenville, SC and attended Greenville Public Schools. After graduating from Furman University, she began her teaching career in Richland School District One as a French and social studies teacher. She has held the position of department chair, social studies coordinator, assistant principal and principal. After serving as a principal leader for the South Carolina State Department of Education, Mrs. McPherson came to SC GEAR UP in December, 2003.

Sjanna Coriarty
Research and Evaluation Manager
scoriarty@che.sc.gov
(830) 737-3917

Sjanna M. Coriarty is a graduate of Limestone College and Webster University and is currently working on her doctoral degree. Originally from Florida, Sjanna has lived in Columbia for 11 years with her two sons. She worked for Midlands Technical College as Associate Director of Admissions before becoming the Research and Evaluation Manager for SC GEAR UP in 2006.

Arlene Criswell
Academic and College Awareness Coordinator
acriswell@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-2705

Arlene Criswell holds a master’s degree in education and has more than 17 years of experience working in various capacities in public and private sectors. She was previously employed as an educator, consultant, manager, coordinator, and trainer before she joined the Student Services division of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in 2003. She currently serves as the Academic and College Awareness Coordinator for the statewide federally funded GEAR UP program.

Pinkney Epps
School Services Coordinator (South)
pepps@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-3919

Pinkney B. Epps is a graduate of South Carolina State University with a Dual BS degree. He is also a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Master of Public Health degree in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Programs. Pinkney comes to the Commission on Higher Education from the University of South Carolina – Columbia TRIO Program. He is a former High School Counselor for the Educational Talent Search Program where he worked with schools in all three local school districts in the Columbia area. Prior to the last year and a half, Pinkney worked for more than 10 years in non-profit management at the higher education level, for USC, and for major non-profits such as Save the Children, the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, and AmeriCorps. He currently serves as School Services Coordinator for SC GEAR UP.

Nan Ford
School Services Coordinator (North)
nford@che.sc.gov
(803) 734-4396

Nan Ford earned her master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina, and has held various education related positions: student activities director at Midlands Technical College, volunteer director at the South Carolina State Museum, and most recently grant director for Parentwise at Voices for South Carolina’s Children. Nan joined the Student Services Division of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education in October, and currently serves as a school services coordinator with SC GEAR UP.

Sharon Givens
Training Manager
sgivens@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-45850

Sharon Givens has a Bachelor of Social Work degree, a Master of Science degree in Agency Counseling and a Master of Science degree in Adult Education. She has completed postgraduate studies in the area of training and development, and counseling psychology. She is currently pursuing her terminal degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her previous work experiences include positions as a clinical counselor and program developer/manager. Sharon has been a certified Co-Piloting Mentoring Trainer for over five years. She has conducted over 200 Mentoring training/seminars across the country and in West Africa. She is also recognized as a national diversity facilitator and is certified by the National Multicultural Institute in Washington D.C. Ms. Givens is also a certified Franklin Covey Trainer. As a professional trainer, Ms. Givens is active in several organizations, including the American Society of Training and Development and the American Counseling Association.

Altheia Anthony
Marketing and Communications Specialist
aanthony@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-3910

Altheia Anthony earned her bachelor’s degree in the arts from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has worked for non-profit and federal government agencies on special national and international projects, such as presentations, marketing/PR, proposals, program evaluation, articles and event planning. Currently, she serves as the Marketing and Communications Specialist for SC GEAR UP at South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

Yolanda Myers
Research/Evaluation Assistant
yhudson@che.sc.gov
(803) 737-2290

Yolanda Hudson holds a B.A. in business administration and has been employed with the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education for over twenty-two years. She has worked in the Commissioner’s office along with several programs within the Commission. She joined the SC GEAR UP Research and Evaluation area in March of 2004.

SC GEAR UP Staff at the
SC Chamber of Commerce

Cynthia Bennett
Director of Business Relations for SC GEAR UP
Cynthia.bennett@scchamber.net
(803) 255-2542

Cynthia M. Bennett graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Political Science. She is returning to serve as the School Support Liaison for the GEAR UP program. Prior to this position she served as the Partnerships Coordinator and Local Chamber Liaison with the initial GEAR UP program High Performance Partnerships. Cynthia brings seven years of experience working with schools and businesses to improve student’s academic achievement and encouraging an educated workforce for South Carolina.

SC GEAR UP Staff and Key Personnel at
SCGU High Schools

Denmark-Olar High School

Rachel Major
Site Coordinator
rmajor@bamberg2.k12.sc.us
(803) 793-3307

Rachel Major resides in Nesses, South Carolina, and is the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at Denmark-Olar High School. She graduated from Denmark-Olar High School in 1982, attended Benedict College, and has worked in public schools for approximately twelve years. She became interested in education because she wanted to mold the minds of children at an early age, since they are the future leaders of tomorrow. She has worked in a variety of positions in the education system including as a substitute teacher, teacher’s assistant, and a behavior specialist. Shopping and swimming are two hobbies she enjoys.

Tangela Parler
Mentor Leader
tparler@bamberg2.k12.sc.us
(803) 793-3307

Tangela Gilmore-Parler grew up in Denmark, South Carolina. She furthered her education at Voorhees College for three years. She later transferred to Claflin University to study criminal justice. She became interested in education because she has three children of her own and because she always wanted to come back home to give back to the community in which she grew up. She enjoys helping people and working with children because they are our future leaders. Currently, she is a mentor leader for the SC GEAR UP program at Denmark-Olar.

Military Magnet Academy

Dennis Muhammad
Site Coordinator
dennis_muhammad@charleston.k12.sc.us
(843) 745-7102

Dennis Muhammad, a native of Conway, South Carolina and a 1992 graduate of the College of Charleston, became interested in making his mark in education after being invited by school officials to help solve a gang conflict at Morningside Middle School in 2000. Within months, the conflict was settled and Mr. Muhammad became a volunteer liaison between parents and the school. Because of his success and community activism, he gained a reputation for being able to reach out to at-risk youth.

Due to his work at Morningside Middle School, Jenkins Institute for Children, Interdenominational Youth Ministerial Alliance and other community activism, Mr. Muhammad was recommended to be a student concern specialist at Rivers Middle School in Charleston, SC in 2002, where he served until the school closed in 2005.

Mr. Muhammad has a background in manhood and disciplinary training for young men. He has been instrumental in organizing night street patrols to reach out to young men and stop the culture of drugs, guns, and violence in the streets of Charleston. Mr. Muhammad is now an SC GEAR UP site coordinator at the Military Magnet Academy in North Charleston, SC. He loves working with young people and is a passionate advocate for their rights. He is also a frequent speaker at several state and federal prisons in South Carolina. His future goals are to organize hundreds of concerned men to reach out to at-risk youth to eliminate crime and violence in the streets.

He is happily married (for 14 years) to Valerie Muhammad, who teaches third-grade students at Wilmot J. Fraser Elementary School in Charleston.

Elaine Gambrell

North Charleston High School

Margaret Landrum
Site Coordinator
margaret_landrum@charleston.k12.sc.us
Phone: (843) 745-7140

Margaret is originally from New York, but currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina where she and her husband decided to settle after they both completed 20 years of service in the armed forces. She finds Charleston a beautiful place and is quick to reveal that it has been rated as one of the top vacation spots in the nation. She is a volunteer for the Historic Preservation Society and shows houses to tourists who visit her lovely town of Charleston.

Her hobbies are sewing, gardening, reading and baking. And, she really enjoys her job as the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at North Charleston High School. When it comes to interacting with the students, she learns almost as much from them as they do from her.

Rosemary Pavlisko
Tutor (ELA)
Rosemary_pavlisko@charleston.k12.sc.us
Phone: (843) 745- 7140

Rosemary Pavlisko is the SC GEAR UP English/language arts tutor at North Charleston High School. In 1973, she began her teaching career at Bonds-Wilson High School, which merged with North Charleston High School in 1985. She taught English, and was the coordinator for the gifted and talented program. She graduated from Bowling Green State University, and pursued graduate-level study at The Citadel and The College of Charleston. Rosemary lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and is married with two children and three grandchildren. She enjoys mentoring students and taking them on field trips. In addition, she is an AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) instructor, and well-versed in motivating students while communicating and teaching them the skills they will need to graduate from high school and be successful in college.

Back to Top

R. B. Stall High School

Shirley Godfrey
Site Coordinator
shirley_godfrey@charleston.k12.sc.us
(843) 764-2200

Shirley grew up in North Charleston on and around the Air Force Base. She previously resided in Zaragoza, Spain and her father's retirement from the United States Air Force brought her family to South Carolina.

She is a graduate of North Charleston High School, The Citadel SCCC, and The Citadel CGPS. In 2004 she started working for Charleston County School District and has worked as a student data clerk and a student concern specialist and is currently a college access coordinator. She is a certified secondary school counselor and is hoping to soon complete her certification as a career developmental facilitator.

She enjoys coaching cross country and basketball. Her office is on the ninth grade academy hall in room B-209. When she’s not in her office you can usually find her with the ninth- grade counselor or hanging with the rest of the freshman family.

Most people don’t know that she is half Korean and is the tenth African American female to have graduated from the South Carolina Corps of Cadets at The Citadel.

Back to Top
Elizabeth Edge

Matt Ward

Cassandra Bligen

St. Johns High School
Reginia Brown

Site Coordinator
reginia_brown@charleston.k12.sc.us
(843) 559-6209
Reginia E. Brown grew up in Walterboro, South Carolina. After graduating from Francis Marion University in 1999, she returned to Walterboro where she became a substitute teacher. In the winter of 2000, she began working with the Department of Social Services as a youth specialist. Approximately two years later, she began working with Communities in Schools in Charleston in the area of pregnancy prevention. In 2006 she became the SC GEAR UP College Access Coordinator at Haut Gap Middle School and is currently the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at St. Johns High School.

Cassandra Bligen
Tutor (ELA)
cassandra_bligen@charleston.k12.sc.us
(843) 559-6226
Cassandra Bligen, a native of McClellanville, SC and 1980 graduate of South Carolina State University, retired from a 25-year teaching career only to return to her passion two years later. Between 1980 and 2005, Cassandra taught English/language arts and social studies at several middle schools in Charleston, South Carolina. She dedicated her career to working in schools where she felt she could do the most good for the students who were the neediest.
While at these schools, Cassandra wore many hats: team leader, department chair, grade-level chair, mentor, member of the leadership team, SIC member, etc. Having a burning desire to return to the educational field, she accepted the position of SC GEAR UP English/language arts tutor at St. Johns High School in August of 2007. She enjoys working with high school students, and feels that her time spent with middle school students thoroughly prepared her for the task of tutoring ninth graders. She hopes to continue her work at the school for many years to come.
Cassandra is married to the Honorable Alvin Bligen, magistrate on Edisto Island, SC and Math teacher at R.D. Schroeder Middle School. They have been married for nineteen years, and have two lovely daughters, Morgan and Meghan. They live in the West Ashley area of Charleston, SC. Back to Top
Manning High School
Jennifer Connors
Site Coordinator
jconnors@clarendon2.k12.sc.us
(803) 435-4417
Jennifer Thompson Parler was born and raised in Manning, South Carolina. Jennifer graduated from Manning High School in 1994. She attended Columbia College for a year, then transferred to The University of South Carolina. She graduated from USC in 1998, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations and a minor in photography. Her hope was to teach journalism in high school.
After graduating and getting married, she worked in Columbia for a few years as the public relations representative and volunteer administrator for a small not-for-profit agency, Trinity Housing Corporation. THC and St. Lawrence Place (the housing program run by THC) provided housing and support services for homeless families who were struggling to get back on their feet.
Jennifer left Trinity Housing and St. Lawrence Place, in May of 2002, when her first son, Bryce was born. Over the Christmas holidays of 2003, the Parler family moved to Elloree, which was “closer to home” for Jennifer. She went to work for Clarendon School District Two at the Early Childhood Center, but soon found out she was pregnant with baby number two. Gavin was born, in September 2004, and Jennifer chose to stay home with him for a while.
At the beginning of the 2005 school year, Jennifer was ready to go back to work, but wasn’t able to obtain a position in Manning. However, Clarendon Hall, a small private, Christian school in Summerton, offered her a position teaching English/language arts. She spent the last two school years teaching English and journalism there quite happily. However, during that time, she divorced her husband and moved back across the lake.
In the fall 2007, Jennifer became the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at Manning High School—her alma mater—combining her public relations expertise with teaching and inspiring students. She couldn’t be happier!

Keith Stewart

Back to Top
Colleton County High School
Patty Pavlak

Teresa Blankenship
Mentor Leader
tblankenship@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904

Teresa Blankenship grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and has resided in Walterboro, South Carolina for the past ten years. Teresa joined the SC GEAR UP program at Forest Circle Middle School and moved with the eighth-graders to Colleton County High School, where she serves as a mentor leader.
She holds an associate’s degree in marketing management and is currently pursuing a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. Teresa is married with four children. As a pastor’s wife she serves as youth director, Sunday school teacher, and children’s worker in her church. “Every child can be successful when someone shows she cares.”
Cyrus Birch
Tutor (Math)
cburch@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904

Cyrus Birch is a native of beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, and a graduate of Middleton High School where he lettered all four years in basketball. He holds both an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in computer science, earning his A.A. at Spartanburg Methodist College, and his B.A. at The University of North Carolina Pembroke.
Cyrus played collegiate basketball at both schools, and now enjoys coaching basketball and playing tennis, exercising, listening to music, and reading. He is married to Ginnell Birch, and they have two beautiful children: Cyrus IV and Alayah Birch.
Cyrus’ motto is, “Whatever you put your hands to do, do it to the best of your ability!!!”
Dee Dee Duboise
Mentor Leader
wduboise@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904

Dee Dee DuBoise grew up just two miles from Ruffin Middle School and has lived in the Ruffin community most of her life. She graduated from Andrew Jackson Academy (high school), and attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College where she received a degree in business. She was in the business world, employed at a daycare center, when she discovered her love for children. For two years, she took care of children in her own home, then decided to pursue a degree in early childhood education at the University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie. There, she received her associate’s degree and some of her education classes. She then transferred to the University of South Carolina Beaufort for the remainder of her education classes, and she will soon complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
During the fall 2005 semester, one of her classes required her to do service learning hours. Her love for math prompted her to fulfill the requirement at Ruffin Middle School, tutoring sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders in math. Initially, she was given a list of seventeen students, and she completed the required five hours the first day of tutoring. At the end of the day, the seventeen students grew to seventy-five students, and she decided to continue tutoring them on Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week. She was thrilled to be able to share what she learned with her classmates at USC Beaufort.
Dee Dee tutored the middle school students for two months, then she was able to continue working with the 8th graders through her employment with the SC GEAR UP program. She began working with the program in January 2006 as the site coordinator at Ruffin Middle School, combining all her administrative duties with those related to tutoring. In the fall of 2007, when her students entered Colleton County High School, Dee Dee moved with them as an SC GEAR UP mentor leader.
Amanda Lucas
Tutor (ELA)
alucas@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904

Amanda Lucas is a Walterboro, South Carolina resident. She graduated from Walterboro High School, which has since been renamed Colleton County High School, and is employed at her alma mater as the SC GEAR UP English/language arts tutor.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The University of South Carolina, and is currently enrolled in an M.A.T. program at The Citadel. While most of her engagement with students is on an academic level, she also enjoys coaching the varsity cheerleading squad.
Frances Whittington
Mentor Leader
fwhittington@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904
Frances Whittington is a thirty-five year resident of the Colleton County school district. A native of Dillon, South Carolina, Frances has a Bachelor of Science degree in social studies. She is retired, yet continues to work as a mentor/tutor leader for SC GEAR UP at Colleton County High School. Frances is very active in her church and assists children in after-school programs.
Brandon Williams
Mentor Leader
bwilliams@mail.colleton.k12.sc.us
(843) 538-2904

Brandon Williams is twenty-two years old, the oldest of three children, and an SC GEAR UP mentor leader at Colleton County High School, his alma mater. Since he graduated in 2004, he has worked, and attended classes at The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.

Back to Top
Lamar High School
John Davis
Site Coordinator
johnd1@darlington.k12.sc.us
(843) 326-7546

John Edward Davis, II is the third child of six, born in Camden, New Jersey. He is the father of three: John, III, Jaila Eden and Jara Elizabeth.
John has served the high school-aged population for over twelve years. He has worked with and counseled children from Delaware to the Grand Cayman Islands, and has been responsible for multi-million dollar programs in South Carolina and Virginia. He is a child advocate and considers himself a “Dream Merchant” because too many of our children can’t imagine themselves being successful.
A community volunteer, John has donated his time and expertise to such causes as the Cultural Realism Center in Darlington; youth groups at the Friendship United Methodist Church in Nesmith, SC; Hal Jackson’s Most Talented Teen Contest, held annually in Darlington; and Little League baseball, where he coached the district championship-winning team. John also sits on the Darlington Parks and Recreation Board, and coaches wide receivers for the Darlington High School Falcons.
A graduate of South Carolina State University with both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education, John is a certified guidance counselor who believes that children can be challenged to perform at higher levels. John is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. John’s personal motto, adopted from a quote often attributed to Edmond Burke, Irish statesman and philosopher is “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing.”
John is looking forward to the day when this current SC GEAR UP class of 2011 graduates from high school and pursues postsecondary education.
Back to Top
Tamron McManus

Woodland High School
Back to Top
Wilson High School
Chris Lewis
Site Coordinator
cclewis@fsd1.org
(843) 292-1010

Chris Lewis grew up in Florence, South Carolina and attended Williams Middle School and Wilson High School. He began his employment with SC GEAR UP at Williams Middle School, and followed his eighth-graders to Wilson High School (his own “stompin’ grounds).” He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.
In addition to working with SC GEAR UP, he is enrolled in a counseling program at Webster University. He actively pursues extracurricular training events and workshops on mentoring and working with “at-risk” youth, whenever the opportunities arise.
He enjoys reading Stephen King novels and other mysteries, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and working with youth. He became interested in education because it’s so important to each individual’s success. He also enjoys politics, sports, and people.
Madeline Matthews
Mentor Leader
mmmathews@fsd1.org
(843) 292-1010

Madeline Matthews graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, New York. Her college credits are from Queensborough Community College and York College toward a Baccalaureate in Education. She was employed by The New York City Board of Education for 16 years. She was employed in South Carolina with Sumter School District #2 and is currently in Florence School District #1 with the South Carolina GEAR UP program.
She has strived to make a difference in the life of a child and help develop self-sufficiency. Our children today more than ever, need positive role models to enhance their personal, academic, and social skills. Ultimately they will exhibit a standard of behavior for modeling honesty, truth, and respect for others.
Mitchell Washington
Mentor Leader
mwashington@fsd1.org
(843) 292-1010

Mitchell Washington, SC GEAR UP mentor leader at Wilson High School, grew up in Florence, South Carolina and attended Southside Middle School and South Florence High School. He is currently a junior at Francis Marion University majoring in history education, and plans on becoming a middle school social studies teacher.
In his spare time he loves being with family and friends, watching television, and going to sports games. His interest in education began in when he was in the eighth grade and as he matured he realized that more and more education is what he wants. Mitchell would like to be one among many to make a difference in the lives of our young people.

Back to Top
Estill High School
Sherry Garvin
Site Coordinator
Gaevin123@yahoo.com
(803) 625-5139

Sherry Roberts-Garvin is married to Washington G. Garvin III of Estill, SC and the mother of three children: Jonathan, Imani, and Evan and grandmother of Tyasia Rodgers. She is the oldest of four sisters, and holds the role of mother for each of them as well as their children.
Sherry grew up in a very small rural community in South Carolina near Ulmer, SC and attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in the same area. She was reared by her grandmother and mother and enjoyed the simple living of the country. Days were spent playing with friends, exploring the countryside, and reading. The compassion that she gives to others is a reflection of the teachings and modeling of her grandmother and mother. Sherry remembers her grandmother stressing the importance of having strong faith in God, hard work, education and respecting yourself as well as others. One of her grandmother’s favorite sayings was, “Charity begins at home and spreads abroad.” As a result of their influence, Sherry identified an early desire to obtain an education that would prepare her for the world. Sherry’s mother, grandmother, and father are deceased but she continues to live her life and treat others in the way that she was taught by each of them.
She attended Allendale County Schools where she was an honor student. Sherry was a member of various clubs and received many honors. She graduated from Allendale-Fairfax High School in 1985 ranked eighth in her class.
She attended USC-Salkehatchie in Allendale, SC and obtained an associate’s degree in 1987, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from USC Columbia in 1989. Upon graduation, she returned to the community where she was raised, and began her career in social work at Allendale County Department of Social Services as a case manager with Medicaid, Human Services, Family Independence, and the Young Parent Program.
For 15 years, she worked with families that experienced physical, social, and economic disruptions in intrusive settings. After working with the young adult populations, Sherry then realized that God’s purpose for her was to work in an atmosphere that would most benefit the needs of young people. Confirmation was provided for her, when SC GEAR UP began its work at Estill Middle School, and she was employed by Hampton District Two Schools as a source of guidance and encouragement for today’s youth there.
She is now the SC GEAR UP site coordinator for Estill High School, and since becoming employed with SC GEAR UP, Sherry is pursuing a master’s degree in guidance and counseling through the University of West Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys attending church, reading, traveling, listening to jazz, volunteering, and supporting Breast Cancer Awareness through the Best Chance Program, collecting African American artwork, representing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and spending time with her family and friends.
Sherry’s motto in life is, “Take the tragedies and disappointments in life and treat them as blessings; a blessing ALWAYS comes from it all.”
Rachel Risher
Tutor (ELA)
Rachelg29918@yahoo.com
(803) 625-5139

Rachel Risher is the oldest daughter of Randolph and Gloria Gordon. She is the fourth child of six. She is the mother of two, a four year old son, and a three year old daughter. She is happily married to Jamian Risher of Gifford, S.C. and now resides in Brunson, S.C.
Rachel attended Estill High School and graduated in May of 2001. She graduated from Claflin College with a BA in Sociology in May of 2007. Rachel plans to go back to school to receive her master’s in counseling. Rachel is glad to be a part of the SC GEAR UP family tutoring at Estill High School.

Back to Top
Creek Bridge High School
Beverly Green
Site Coordinator
bgreene@marion7.k12.sc.us
(843) 362-3500

Beverly D. Greene is the oldest of four children, is married, and is the mother three wonderful boys Kristian, Matthew and Jacob. She graduated from Wilson High School, and attended Winthrop University. She is currently a student at Coker College pursuing her bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education. As the site coordinator for Creek Bridge High School in Marion, she is enjoying working with the children and is looking forward to a wonderful school year!
Christy Price
Tutor (Math)
cprice@marion7.k12.sc.us
(843) 362-3500

Christy Price, of Aynor, SC attended Florida State University, the University of South Florida, and Clemson University. After finishing her graduate work in financial mathematics at Clemson, she became interested in education and received her teaching certificate from Francis Marion University in 2004.
Immediately, she was offered a position teaching pre-calculus at West Florence High School. Soon, another position opened at her alma mater, Aynor High School, which she could not pass up. As a math teacher in Aynor, Christy worked with many at-risk students, and relished the challenges that working with that group of students offered. Christy is, currently, the SC GEAR UP math tutor at Creek Bridge High School in Marion, South Carolina.
She truly enjoys the students and values the opportunity of being a positive influence in their lives. In addition, she is happily married to Lucas Price, and is expecting her first child in late May 2008.

Back to Top
Edisto High School
Stephanie Carey
Site Coordinator
scarey@orangeburg4.com

Sam Tadayon
Tutor (Math)
tadayons@orangeburg4.com
(803) 536-1553

Sam S. Tadayon is the SC GEAR UP math tutor at Edisto High School. His background is middle eastern (Persian), and he earned his mechanical engineering design degree from Polytechnic of Huddersfield, in Yorkshire, England, in 1979. In 1994, after working in the industrial sector for thirteen years, Sam began teaching mathematics. In 2004, he completed his master’s degree in education, with a mathematics concentration, from the University of South Carolina.

Back to Top
Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School
Jane Winningham
Site Coordinator
Jbw97@orangeburg5.k12.sc.us
(803) 534-6315

Jane B. Moorman Winningham is the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Her bachelor’s degree in mathematics along with her minor in business, from Norfolk State University, gives Jane a multifaceted understanding of the skills that need to be addressed in order to help students achieve their educational and social goals. Students at Orangeburg-Wilkinson have benefited from her expertise for ten years and now SC GEAR UP students will have that pleasure. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Jane is the wife of Herman S. Winningham, Jr. of Orangeburg. They are the proud parents of one son, Kevin A. Winningham who, conveniently, attends Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.

LaSandra Robinson
Mentor Leader
lr899@orangeburg5.k12.sc.us
(803) 533-6315

LaSandra A. Robinson hails from Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is an alumna of South Carolina State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She is married to Christopher A. Robinson, and is the SC GEAR UP mentor/tutor leader at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, where she is also the Teen LEAD site coordinator. Teen LEAD is a grant-funded character initiative focused on improving the climate of high schools across the state.
LaSandra is also pursuing a master’s degree in secondary guidance counseling at South Carolina State University. Her personal motto is “Skills and education can take you there, but God and good character will keep you there.”
Greg Still

Back to Top
Lower Richland High School
Constance Tarrance
Site Coordinator
ctarrance@richlandone.org
(803) 695-4042

Constance H. Tarrance is a native of Easley, South Carolina and is a product of the Pickens County public school system. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she earned a master’s degree in education in personnel services from Clemson University.
Professionally, Constance has been a second grade teacher at Mt. View Elementary School in Hickory, North Carolina, and served as a Training Case Manager for the Employment and Training Program. Upon leaving North Carolina she spent six years with the Council on Aging in Anderson and Oconee Counties as a service and nutrition coordinator and food service director.
In 2000, she started a new beginning when she became a commissioned United Methodist Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. On her commissioning she was assigned to the New Hope Community Center in Augusta, Georgia as the program director. In May 2001, she received another promotion to the Columbia Bethlehem Community Center in Columbia, South Carolina as its program director.
In August 2003, she obtained employment with Richland County School District One as an instructional assistant assigned to Hopkins Middle School. In March 2006 she became the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at Southeast Middle School. As the class of 2011 matriculated to Lower Richland High School, she became the SC GEAR UP site coordinator there in 2007.
When she is not busy in her professional capacity, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has one daughter Kalisha (George) Miller, a nephew, Cedric, who she raised in her home. She is the proud grandmother of Kayla, Hannah, and Tyler Miller.
Constance has been a youth advocate for over twenty years. Apart from her professional commitment to children, she has worked as a volunteer in the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church serving as district youth coordinator for the Anderson District. She has also been district and state youth coordinator for Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc., and she has served as the children and youth coordinator for her local church. She currently serves as the Harambee Youth Coordinator for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. In addition to the above named positions, she has also managed to serve as a counselor for various retreats, camps, and conferences.
Constance believes that our youth are our most cherished asset and when given the proper tools they will excel.

Brenton Brown
Tutor (ELA)
brbrown@richlandone.org
(803) 695-4042

Brenton Brown is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He holds an undergraduate degree in English education from The Citadel and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is the English/language arts tutor and mentor for Lower Richland High School’s SC GEAR UP program in Hopkins, South Carolina.
Lola Sumter
Mentor Leader
losumter@richlandone.org
(803) 695-4042

Lola F. Sumter is a native of Hopkins, South Carolina, and a 1994 graduate of Lower Richland High School. Immediately after high school Ms. Sumter entered the workforce accepting employment at the Babcock Center, Inc. At Babcock she began as an entry level employee, but quickly progressed to a house manager after only a year and a half.
In 2001, while continuing to work at Babcock, she accepted employment with Richland County School District One. Her daily interaction with students awakened a desire to pursue a career in education. In 2003, she decided to attend college, and is currently a student at Columbia College working toward a degree in Elementary Education.
Lola began working at Southeast Middle School in December of 2001. At that time her dedication led her to Hopkins Middle School where she became an instructional assistant working closely with twin, physically handicapped sisters. She followed the girls to her alma mater of Lower Richland High School in August 2007, and began her tenure with SC GEAR UP.
Lola is the SC GEAR UP science and math tutor at Lower Richland High School, where she reunited with her close friend, Constance Tarrance, who is the site coordinator there. She enjoys being reunited with students she created lasting relationships with at both Hopkins and Southeast Middle Schools. She is excited about building new relationships with the current SC GEAR UP family. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in education and maintain the relationships she has cultivated at Lower Richland High School.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her two children, Tyreke and Tyra Lenise. She is the proud “Auntie” of her sister Lisa’s two children: Arlon, Jr. and Aubrey Makenzie. She is also a devoted mother and aunt who delights in attending the baseball and basketball games of her son and nephew. She is currently a member of St. John’s Baptist Church in Hopkins, SC.
Gianna Gardner

Back to Top
Crestwood High School
Brenetta Jefferson
Site Coordinator
bjefferson@scsd2.k12.sc.us
(803) 469-6200 ext. 4002

Brenetta grew up the youngest of six in the small town of Lynchburg, SC. She attended the public schools in Sumter County: St. John Elementary School, Ronald E. Davis Elementary School, and Mayewood High School.
In 1988, she graduated from Mayewood, and in 1993, earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast media from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. She completed her Master of Science degree in management with an emphasis on human resources management, in 2007. Brenetta will continue her studies in the area of library and information science, at the University of South Carolina, in the spring of 2008. She is the site coordinator at Crestwood High School.
Alicia McFadden
Tutor (ELA)
amcfadden@scsd2.k12.sc.us
(803) 469-6200 ext. 2014

Alicia McFadden is a native of Williamsburg County and graduated from Kingstree Senior High School. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in English (cum laude) with a concentration in education from Morris College in 1995, and received her career development facilitator/career specialist certification (CDF) in May 2007. Also in 2007, she completed her master’s degree in secondary education at Grand Canyon University, Arizona.
Alicia currently resides in Kingstree, SC with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, she loves to sing, read, watch movies, take long walks and spend time with her family. She is employed, as an SC GEAR UP tutor, at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina.

Back to Top
C. E. Murray High School
Latoya Sabb
Site Coordinator
lsabb@wcsd.k12.sc.us
(803) 426-2121

Latoya Sabb is a native of Greeleyville, South Carolina, and the SC GEAR UP site coordinator at C. E. Murray High School—her alma mater. After high school graduation, Latoya attended Claflin University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She is, currently, pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of West Alabama.
Her philosophy is to “be all that you can be” and to “strive for excellence.” It is widely understood that knowledge is the key and gives us the power to unlock closed doors. Latoya always wanted to work with children, to share her personal philosophy, and to show them how to gain the knowledge they need to unlock the doors to their futures.
She says, “It brings joy to your heart, when you see a child smile,” and she sees many smiling faces working with the SC GEAR UP students, coaching the junior high girls basketball team, and the volleyball team.
John Conyers
Tutor (ELA)
jconyers@wcsd.k12.sc.us
(843) 426-2121

As a young lad he was always interested in the arts and humanities, but grew a fond love for creating and embracing the art of poetry. After graduating from Kingstree Senior High in 1998, he enrolled at Morris College, and graduated from there in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in English.
After graduation, he taught seventh- and eighth-grade English/ language arts for two years. The next year John taught at the Character Academy. Presently, he is an SC GEAR UP math tutor. He fondly remembers this quote: "Life is a journey, not a destination."