Our Staff
Dr. Marie Owens | Interim Head of School and Founding Visionary
Marie is a professional biologist (microbiology and immunology) and has been active in classical Christian education for 20 years. She learned in the trenches by home educating her four children as well as teaching many other students through virtual courses. Her invaluable start-up experience includes as a founding visionary/owner of a virtual classical Christian academy (Wilson Hill Academy) where she developed the science department and AP curriculum.
Mrs. Barna | Kindergarten
Elena Barna is a talented artist who brings a deep love for and teaching experience with young children. She delights in helping young students begin to experience the wonder of God’s world and finding His order in numbers and letters on the path to reading. She enjoys time with her husband and son, her church, artistic pursuits, and personal fitness.
Mrs. Chiaravallotti | 1st grade
Madaline Chiaravallotti, "Mrs. Chevy," is an experienced surgical nurse who is eager to focus her nurture and care on first graders. She goes above and beyond in ministering to the needs of those around her as seen in her volunteer pursuits of worship leader at her church and with those undergoing hospice care. A quote which sums it all up for her:
“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” -Pablo Casals
Ms. Needham | 2nd grade
Katie Needham is a bilingual teacher with a variety of experience disguised as a bundle of joy. She seamlessly goes between Spanish and English as needed, all while keeping her class captivated and engaged. She taught a variety of ages in Mexico and has tutored a child with learning difficulties. Her current sweet spot is 2nd grade. Katie continues her own studies and is active in her church in her spare time.
Mrs. Wilson | 3rd-4th grades
Octavia Wilson brings to CCS a wealth of experience gained through her years as an Army solider, as a homeschool mother of four children, as a public-school teacher, and most recently, as a classical Christian school teacher. She has a passion for teaching and working with children. She believes learning should be fun and that teachers should incite in their students the desire and the ability to become lifelong learners of truth. We are blessed to have Octavia teaching the third/fourth grade class at CCS.
Mrs. Reese | Director of Administration
Trisha Reese is passionate about helping students learn through classical Christian education. She received a classical education as a child, studied at LeTourneau University in TX, then graduate work at Wheaton College in IL. She taught internationally in Guatemala, and all around the USA teaching English, History, Bible, Rhetoric, and Research classes to secondary students for 15+ years. In 2018, she became Dean of Students for a large online classical school. She moved with her family to Charleston, SC. in 2021, and is now delighted to help support the students and teachers of Charleston Classical School.
Our Board of Directors
Dr. Marie Owens | Founding Visionary, Interim Head of School, Ex Officio Member
Marie is a professional biologist (microbiology and immunology) and has been active in classical Christian education for 20 years. She learned in the trenches by home educating her four children as well as teaching many other students through virtual courses. Her invaluable start-up experience includes as a founding visionary/owner of a virtual classical Christian academy (Wilson Hill Academy) where she developed the science department and AP curriculum.
Emily Plummer |
Emily was instrumental in the launch of Charleston Classical School because she has been an educator for over 20 years and has taught in a wide variety of settings. Since she firmly believes that education has the power to change lives, she was eager to help found a school where quality classical Christian education will be available to children from diverse backgrounds. Emily brought extensive experience and gifts in teaching, curriculum development, fundraising, and big-picture vision for Charleston Classical School’s growth and development. She continues as an avid volunteer.
Judy Woolcock | Board Secretary
Judy is a bachelor’s prepared registered nurse with an MBA. She has worked diligently opening doors for health and education in communities under resourced through both her professional work and her volunteerism partnering with other community outreach programs such as children’s ministry leader for multiple churches, a mentor for unwed teen mothers, public health nurse, nurse educator, and home school mother of her two children.
Rick Owens | Interim Board Chair
Rick has a background in electrical engineering and is one of the founding principals in a private engineering consulting firm, Live Oak Consultants. As a husband and father, he values the outcomes of classical Christian education in his four children. As a businessman and a working engineer, he brings a wealth of knowledge about physical plant considerations and project management, as well as business financial wisdom.
Ron Hemingway |
Ron is a ruling elder at Eastbridge Presbyterian, Chair of the Missions committee, and serves on the presbytery committee for Reformed University Fellowship at three local colleges. He is a PhD chemist, now retired who has worked with US Army, Dupont, and taught at The Citadel. Ron and his late wife have been active for years with youth ministries and schools. As a college prof, he became very aware that the existing education system has not well-prepared students for further education or for life generally. He sees the great need for students to be taught to think logically and be trained to discern truth by exposure to the world through the lens of the Word.
Bruce Etter |
Bruce Etter has been in education for 30 years, serving in both online classical Christian schools and brick and mortar schools over the years. He and his wife Julie have five children and one grandson and currently live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Our Founding Board
Ronald Steel | Founding Board Member
Senior Pastor at Eastbridge Presbyterian Church
Ron brought over 40 years of pastoral experience in four states along with the mature perspective of a husband, father, and grandfather. He was actively involved with starting a Christian middle and high school while serving a pastorate in MD. The foundation was solid as Chapelgate Christian Academy continues to thrive today.
Emily Plummer | Founding Board Member
Emily was instrumental in the launch of Charleston Classical School because she has been an educator for over 20 years and has taught in a wide variety of settings. Since she firmly believes that education has the power to change lives, she was eager to help found a school where quality classical Christian education will be available to children from diverse backgrounds. Emily brought extensive experience and gifts in teaching, curriculum development, fundraising, and big-picture vision for Charleston Classical School’s growth and development. She continues as an avid volunteer.
MaryLynn Ross | Founding Board Member
We are forever grateful to Mary Lynn for her counsel and service in launching Charleston Classical School. Our hearts were broken when she went home to the Lord on August 29, 2021. She was a 30-year veteran in classical Christian education teaching at Palmetto Christian Academy in SC and teaching/administration at Highlands Latin School in KY. She was also particularly able to assist with student admissions from her experience conducting placement testing for prospective students and interviews for their families.