2024-2025
Faculty & Administration

Mollie was homeschooled for most of her early education and holds a B.M. in Piano Performance and an M.A. in Dramatic Productions. An artist and musician, she has worked in education through Kindermusik, a private piano studio, and teaching art classes in community and co-op settings. Having homeschooled her own children for 17 years, Mollie approaches education using eclectic resources that build on the natural curiosity and interests of her students while inspiring and challenging them to grow and learn. In addition to teaching, Mollie continues to study the piano and the cello, and creates mixed media and three dimensional art in her home studio. Mollie and her husband Aaron have four wonderful children — Henry, Jude, Lola, and Dot.

Dawn has been a homeschooling mom of two for 14 years with a recent highschool graduate!  Dawn holds an associate degree in business, has an odd love for spreadsheets, and continues to pursue a certification in homeopathic medicine after a hiatus from nursing school. She has a heart for ministry, especially for foster care, and volunteers as a K4 Sunday School teacher. Her desire to homeschool was sparked in her early teen years while babysitting for a precious homeschooling family.  She was intrigued by the difference in family dynamics and approach to learning. Dawn spent nine years homeschooling with Classical Conversations and several years exploring a variety of homeschool options. She values thoughtful, in-depth teaching and inspiring a love of learning in children. In addition to all things homeschooling, she adores the ocean and mountains, reading, researching holistic care for her family, and her job as an insurance broker. Dawn and her husband, Robert, have two children — Luke and Tess.

Jessica has homeschooled her children for the past nine years. She earned a bachelor of music in Piano Performance from Bob Jones University and continued her studies at Florida State University, where she earned a master’s and doctorate in Collaborative Piano. A professional pianist, Jessica serves as a staff pianist and vocal coach at Furman University as well as a pianist for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys an active performing life in the Greenville area and is a founding member of Gloria Baroque and Triptych Musica. Jessica currently serves on the board of the Greenville Jazz Collective, where she supports the mission of jazz education of the Upstate’s youth. Her homeschooling approach has always been to guide and support her children in discovering and developing their God-given gifts and interests while encouraging curiosity and a true love of learning. Jessica and her husband Bevan, an entrepreneurial scientist, have three children — Eleanor, Ronnie, and Jane.

Jocelyn Kabakjian is a wife and stay-at-home mom of two littles. She grew up in a homeschool family and spent four years living overseas in England doing mission work. She has a passion for creativity and teaching, loves writing, natural living, and a long run on a cool day. She looks forward to teaching and exploring with our kindergartners this year.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Katie spent the better part of her early childhood living outside of Paris, France. Katie grew up a pastor’s kid and missionary kid, making her a “third culture kid.” After moving back to the United States, Katie’s family lived in a few different places in the Southeast before she moved to Statesboro, Georgia to attend Georgia Southern University. With a B.A in English and a minor in religious studies, Katie got married two weeks

after graduation. Katie and Jered have been in Greenville for 12 years and have five beautiful daughters. It was shortly after their first daughter was born in 2011 that Katie read the book For The Children’s Sake, by Susan Schaeffer McCaulay. Through that book, Katie was introduced to Charlotte Mason and to the great Liberal Arts Tradition of classical education. A voracious reader, writer, and self-described lifelong learner, Katie loves to learn more about what it means to “spread the feast” for her children. Katie loves partaking in that feast, not only through homeschooling her own children, but also through pursuing a MATS (Masters of Art in Theological Studies) degree from Erskine Theological Seminary. While she has worked with children in volunteer and paid positions in various ways for over two decades, Katie is excited to join the teaching staff at Esprit GVL.

Karen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Bob Jones University, where a love for both music and children was kindled. At that  time, she took the opportunity to volunteer, training the youth in her church to enjoy  music and sing for the Lord.  She’s considered it an honor to have directed and assisted in  multiple children’s music ministries over the years.   

Whether it was with church choral groups, general music students in public and private schools, or with her own children in her home, training children has been her  profession over the last 25 years.  

Karen is relishing her time with her children as she now practices the “feast of  ideas” approach in training them to be lifelong learners. She also enjoys volunteer work, teaching elementary Sunday School, working with VBS, hosting neighborhood gatherings, and bringing neighbors together, giving them opportunities for relational and spiritual growth. It has been Karen’s greatest joy to fulfill the role of wife  and mother in her home, supported by her husband, Bruce, and nurturing her own children, Gracie (19), Raelie (15), and Rhys (9). 

Karen is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the second graders at Esprit as they join together in explorations of developing and growing their little minds, bodies,  and souls!

Although Stephanielynn has been teaching in a classroom since 2005, she considers it her highest privilege to learn alongside her own children. She earned both her bachelor and Master’s degrees in Communication (Interpretative Speech/Performance Studies). Stephanielynn began her teaching career instructing college communication courses while simultaneously traveling as a faculty advisor and debate coach for an intercollegiate debate team. In 2010, she shifted her focus in the classroom from full-time university instructor to create and teach high school performing arts, communication, and debate classes for the homeschool community in the upstate of SC. She currently serves as the coach for the Upstate Area Debate Club, and adjunct-teaches collegiate public speaking courses as time allows. Stephanielynn embraces the power of story to approach big ideas and delights to see curiosity create beautiful, meaningful connections. She truly believes in the principle of setting “a feast of ideas” before students and has faith that God uses that wide spread to gently guide parents and children alike to their unique gifts and interests. Stephanielynn and her husband Brian, a pianist & composer, have three children — Ellise, James, and their little Lydian.

Born and raised in Greenville, Ashley was homeschooled her whole life and participated in homeschool sports, including playing volleyball and competing in archery for the Greenville Hurricanes. She graduated from Bob Jones University in 2020 with a BA in History. Her many passions include reading, writing, drawing, painting, hiking, sewing, and crochet, which she also teaches. Ashley lives in Greer with her husband and daughter Charlotte.

Hollie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education and a minor in Wellness from the University of North Georgia. Her teaching experience includes teaching high school Spanish, elementary Spanish, K-3rd grade at a local Charter School, as well as homeschooling her own children for 11 years, teaching in several classical, homeschooling communities for fellowship, friendships, and support. Hollie is an advocate for investing in a life-giving, homeschool community!  Outside of teaching, attending her children’s soccer games, and serving in her local church family, Hollie loves gardening, thrifting cool finds, studying nutrition and food science, and enjoying family adventures in nature with her husband of 19 years, Hugh, and her three wonderful children: Laney, Mattie, and Bennett, and her dogs Timber & Andy.

Heather Keew has enjoyed homeschooling her 2nd and 3rd grade children, Nora and Owen, for the past 2 years, along with her toddler, Lena. She earned a BA and MFA in studio art and continues to explore and create artwork. She currently paints watercolor flowers, verses, and portraits. For the past 13 years, she has dipped in and out of teaching art classes on the university level as well as individual and group drawing lessons in her home. She loves helping students learn to observe and mimic the beauty God created in our world. Heather grew up in Greenville, then she and her musician husband moved to Virginia and then Georgia for several years. They have loved being back in Greenville for 4 years after some years in VA and GA and introducing their children to favorite Greenville spots and spending time with family.

Kim Merriwether has taught science for over 17 years. She has a B.S. in Science Education and an M.S. in Biology. After teaching in public school, Kim was introduced to homeschooling and saw the numerous benefits this type of education affords. She chose to homeschool her children (K-12th grade). She has taught science courses and lab components for students in the Taylors and Travelers Rest Areas since 2004. She and her husband Wes have four children — Nathan, Lainey, Reid, and Perry.

Stephanie has homeschooled her two sons for the past decade, recently graduating her oldest. Stephanie holds a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Kentucky and J.D. from the University of Michigan. Prior to discovering her love of homeschooling, she practiced law for almost 10 years.

Stephanie enjoys leadingdiscussions with students, helping them to make connections and to think deeply about literature. She educated her own children for many years with Classical Conversations, serving as both a tutor for elementary students and director for ninth grade students.

Stephanie and her husband Stephen have two sons, Matt and Rankin.

Melissa holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and is dual certified in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her career in education led to teaching in various capacities teaching students from preschool to middle school in public, private, homeschool, and online settings, where she has created her own online STEM classes and has taught over 2,000 students from various parts of the world. Since her first year of teaching, her passion has been to provide project based learning in STEM education. She believes children learn by doing and loves to create lessons that allow students to experiment, take risks, and be inquisitive. She tries to encompass the motto, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” from her favorite fictional scientist, Ms. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus.” Since the birth of her daughter, her focus is now on being a stay at home mama and homeschooling her daughter, Amelia. In her free time, Melissa loves to travel and try new recipes in the kitchen. She is married to her husband, Alan, and along with their daughter, they have 3 kittens: Houdini, Sunshine, and Junior.

Kristin has homeschooled her three boys for the past 10 years.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and middle grades education at Clearwater Christian College as well as a master’s degree in art education from the University of North Georgia.  She has taught in elementary, middle and high school in both public and private school as well as 8 years at Upstate Homeschool Co-op.  She loves exploring art with all ages and encouraging that creative space and discovering talent one didn’t know they had. In addition to her love of making art herself, Kristin loves researching natural and holistic health and healing and spending time with her family.

After earning her bachelor of science degree from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Beth worked as a registered pharmacist for 25 years, focusing in several  fields, including intravenous home care, hospitals, nursing homes, and retail. Currently Beth is a substitute teacher at Bob Jones Academy and is concentrating on the lives and well being of her kids by being more present! She has a love for children of all ages and is involved in the children’s ministries at her church while exploring what God has for her future. She lives in Simpsonville with her husband, Marc, and has 6 children – Samuel, Ryan, Adam, Maxwell, Jason, and Karis.

Alecia has experience teaching both in the classroom and around the kitchen table. She holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Christian Missions from Covenant College and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English from Liberty University, where she graduated with High Distinction. Alecia taught high school literature and composition for many years at a classical Christian school, where she discovered her passion for stretching the minds and engaging the hearts of her students. She especially loves watching the curriculum come to life as students hone their ability to think critically about and apply biblical truths to everything they study. She is committed to helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom in any way she can. Alecia is a compulsive maker of food and art, avid reader, and perpetual writer. She delights most in using her gifts to advance the Lord’s kingdom as He sees fit. Alecia and her husband Chris have been married for over 20 years and have three school-aged children: Isabella, Gigi, and Lincoln.

Joy is a homeschool teacher and mother of three, a wife and explorer with her husband, and an artist who loves capturing the beauty of God’s creation and His character seen in it. Her love of art drew her into pursuing it as a profession. She worked for a number of years as a muralist,
creating works in private homes and public spaces, before training as a portrait artist. Her portraits in oil and charcoal can be found in universities, businesses, and homes in the Southeast. For the past 12+ years, she has focused on homeschooling her three children, striving to instill in
them a love of learning, fueled by her passion for the Lord. Originally from central Texas, Joy and her husband spent the last 22 years living and exploring at almost every point of the compass in the U.S. before settling in Travelers Rest, a name filled with delightful irony for their family. Although she took a hiatus from working professionally as an artist, she firmly believes that our Creator has made us to bear His image in our creativity, no matter what work He gives us to do. She looks forward to sharing her lifelong love of all things artistic with her art students at Esprit!

Béatrice Deligny was born and raised in the Loire Valley in France. She graduated from college with a B.A. in International Business and worked as a trader for a few years. After raising her four children and moving to the USA in 2004, she went back to the workforce but this time decided to dedicate herself to teaching. Béatrice has been able to reach a large public (from students 3 to 80 years old!) in different settings, including homeschool co-ops, Montessori schools, middle and high schools, a conversation club for adults, and private tutoring and language coaching. She loves to share her native language and culture and takes an approach based on storytelling.

Sarah grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she fell in love with history during her own homeschool education, specifically her high school history classes. She has a BA in History and a BFA in Graphic Design from Bob Jones University and a MA in Museum Studies from Seton Hall University. She loves working with museums in their unique role of connecting people with the past, and she’s excited to translate that passion for story and discovery to the classroom. She has enjoyed exploring the homeschool world from the parent’s side with her own children in the past few years, and she is excited to get back into upper level American History even sooner than she anticipated. As a northern transplant, she’s looking forward to learning even more about the local history here in the Upstate alongside her students. Sarah has been married to Caleb for 9 years and is mom to Roman (7), Eleanor (4), Genevieve (2) and Penelope (2). Her favorite historical character is Alexander Hamilton, who she liked before he was cool.

Ashley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Central Florida. She began her teaching career at a public high school, but after having her first child and going back to teaching for one more year, she decided to stay home to raise her child and future children for a time. She moved to South Carolina and began teaching chemistry and math to homeschoolers while homeschooling her oldest daughter. Math can be an intimidating subject for students. Ashley finds it so rewarding to take a subject that often causes fear and anxiety, and help a student understand and develop a better outlook on math.

Caleb grew up in rural Pennsylvania where he was homeschooled along with his five siblings. He is grateful that curiosity was a way of life in his family and to this day he is happiest when he is learning something. Caleb went to Bob Jones University (and stuck around for awhile) earning a B.A. in Humanities, an M.S. in Biblical Counseling, and an M.A. in Bible. He taught for 5 years at Bob Jones Academy, including classes in graphic design and Bible. Caleb has been interested in apologetics since high school, when he started to search for answers to his own questions about his faith. He is excited to help students think Christianly and be equipped to share how the Christian story of creation, fall, and redemption is more persuasive and powerful than any other. For the past 9 years, Caleb has been a full-time graphic designer. He takes joy in trying to bear God’s image well in reflecting the Creator’s creativity. He and his wife Sarah have four children: Roman, Eleanor, Genevieve, and Penelope.

Olivia was born and raised in Conyers, Georgia, and moved to Greenville with her family as a teen. Home educated through high school, she thrived in literature, English, and world history. She pursued an interest in creative writing from a young age, and hopes to begin the publishing process of her first young adult novel within the next year. She currently works part-time as a barista in addition to caring for staff and volunteer children during Esprit mornings. Olivia also loves to spend time reading, cooking, thrifting, swing dancing, and all kinds of adventures outdoors.