Our Staff

Dr. Marie Owens | Executive Director

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. Desiring to offer this world class education to the children in her own neighborhood she started Charleston Classical School in 2020.

Mrs. Greta Luna | Kindergarten

Mrs. Greta Hall Luna has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a NAMC Early Childhood Montessori Diploma. She has twenty-five years of experience working with young children. She is looking forward to teaching CCS students to love learning, become independent in the classroom, and to nurture their understanding of how precious they are in God's eyes. One of her greatest strengths is individualizing instruction to equip students to learn at their own pace.

Ms. Jaycie Chambers | First and Second Grade

Mrs. Breslin Collier| Third and Fourth Grade

Breslin Hagan has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina, and she desires to encourage a love of learning in students. She grew up in Charleston, SC. Breslin enjoys spending time with her fiancé, going to the gym, spending time with her pets, and attending church.

Mr. Joshua Hunter | 5th Grade and Assistant Dean of Students

Mr. Joshua Hunter is a lifelong learner with a passion for helping students of all ages excel academically and personally. He has been a professional university tutor for 10 years and has assisted students in multiple disciplines. After completing his seminary degree at Columbia International University, he taught high school logic and Spanish classes for several years and also served as a worship leader and chaplain. He loves using the Spanish language in the classroom and has taught English classes to adult learners from all over Latin America. In his spare time, Josh loves going on kayaking adventures with his wife, playing guitar, cooking, and studying languages. Mr. Hunter will be leading the fourth grade classroom as well as helping lead chapel and doing some administrative work.

Mrs. Katie Phillips | Office Manager and After Care

Ms. Julia LeVan | Music Teacher

Mrs. Leigh Ann Taylor | Art Teacher

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 | Board Secretary

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.

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 | Board Member

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.

Ranya Bailey | Board Member

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.