Donnie Bain has been an educator for twenty years as a middle school math teacher, Head of School, and Middle School Head. He has taught math at The Lovett School in Atlanta and Rugby Middle School in Hendersonville, NC. He has been Head of School at Morganton Day School in Morganton, NC, and Head of the Middle School for the last 8 years at Heathwood Hall. Donnie has a BA from Davidson College and Master of Education from GA State University.
“As the Director of Columbia Connections, I want to help teachers design and implement projects, units, and courses that enhance the curriculum at Heathwood Hall. I want to forge partnerships that will transform organizations, institutions, and businesses into co-educators, creating powerful learning opportunities for students. This work will also provide a way for the school and community to develop stronger relationships, increasing the understanding of and support of the school and the learning experiences it provides.”
Jane Beach, Director of Enrollment Management, holds a BA in Economics from Colorado College and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. She is the parent of Heathwood alumnae, Katie (class of 2014) and Norrie (class of 2014).
“Heathwood has become my second home over the past fourteen years. I have had the distinct pleasure of watching my own children grow up on this campus and have witnessed the incredible relationships they have shared with their teachers over the years. I couldn’t be more grateful for what this school has given my family and me, and I love nothing more than showing it off to prospective families. Heathwood truly is a transformative school!”
Amanda Cox, Head of Early Childhood and Lower School, is a Heathwood parent of three children. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University, a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Amanda has spent her career as a teacher at Spartanburg Day School, a preschool director in both Charlotte and Spartanburg, and has taught as an adjunct instructor in the Early Childhood Department at Spartanburg Community College and the University of South Carolina.
“I am excited each and every day to be at Heathwood. We provide students the opportunity to investigate, inquire and explore while learning. Children at Heathwood take ownership of their learning early on in their educational experience and are active and engaged in the learning process whether they are two years old or a senior in the Upper School. We don’t just want our students to be successful in school, we want them to be successful in life, and I love seeing how active, experiential learning gives our students the tools and the confidence to be more successful at everything they do.”
Leslie Haynsworth, Director of Marketing and Communications, is a Heathwood alumna and parent. She holds a BA in Area Studies from Duke University, a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia, and an MFA in Creative Writing from University of South Carolina, and previously served as Associate Director of Marketing at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, as an English and journalism instructor at USC and Columbia College, and as a copywriter at Chernoff/Silver & Associates.
“Heathwood played such a formative role in my life, and particularly in shaping the person that I aspire to be, that it is an honor to now have the opportunity to share Heathwood’s story with the larger community. It is energizing and inspiring to spend my days surrounded by Heathwood students and faculty, who do so many amazing things, often with very little fanfare—so to all members of the Heathwood community, any time you think a Heathwood student, parent, alum, teacher or staff member deserves a shout-out, please let me know!”
Chris Hinchey was appointed Head of School at Heathwood Hall in April, 2015. Chris arrived at Heathwood as the Upper School Head in the summer of 2013. Chris has been in education, as a biology teacher, basketball and baseball coach, and administrator, for 25 years. He grew up in Norwich, CT and graduated from Trinity College (CT), where he majored in Biology and captained the basketball team his senior year. He started his career at Avon Old Farms (CT) and then worked for 19 years at Salisbury School, where he served as Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, and Head Basketball Coach. He also earned his MALS from Wesleyan University (CT) and his MS Ed in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania (PA).
Chris has three children, (Ryan 7th, Jack, 4th, and Will 2nd), and lives in Columbia with his wife, Heather. He enjoys the beach, working out, and reading and loves returning to the Rhode Island shoreline each summer. While moving away from his home state of Connecticut – and his family - was difficult, he values the community feel of Heathwood. In fact, it is what attracted him to the campus when he visited. “Most of my career was spent in the boarding environment, and it was important that I find a learning environment in which the student-teacher relationship was valued. Heathwood recognizes the critical role that adult-student relationships play in the growth, development, and education of young people. I have found a school that is perfect for my children."
Middle School Head Suzanne Nagy has spent most of her life on Heathwood’s campus, beginning in preschool and graduating with the Class of 1990. Suzanne attended Furman University, earning a B.A. in English. Upon graduation in 1994, she returned to Heathwood to teach English in the Middle and Upper schools. In addition to teaching, Suzanne has worked in the Heathwood Admission Office and coached basketball and tennis for the Highlanders. Suzanne earned an M.Ed from the University of South Carolina. In 1999, Suzanne was invited by Governor Jim Hodges to serve as the Director of Caring for Tomorrow’s Children and as the coordinator for the Spartanburg County Foster Care Review Board. She has also taught English at Charlotte Latin School, worked as Director of Admission and Marketing at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and earned an M.Ed in school counseling from the University of Arkansas. Upon returning to Columbia in 2008, Suzanne worked as the Assistant Head of Heathwood’s Middle School for five years, returned to the English classroom for three years, and now serves as the Middle School Head.
“Middle School is the best age to teach! This is a wonderful time when teachers can affect the blueprint of who the students will become. Their minds and bodies are growing, all while they are developing a unique identify and personality. Heathwood is an incredible school that provides opportunities for students to grow into the people God intends them to be."
Erin Pope, Director of Development, joined Heathwood Hall as Director of Annual Giving in January 2013. Prior to Heathwood, Erin worked as the Manager of Annual Giving for Lexington Medical Center Foundation. She graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Marketing. Erin is passionate about educating the Heathwood community about the importance of good stewardship and the impact it has on our school. She and her husband, Will, have three daughters: Bonnie (2nd), Everette (1st), and Sims (EC 2s), all Heathwood Highlanders.
“Recently, while walking the campus with a couple of alumni parents, I realized more than ever the overwhelming impact generous giving and volunteer engagement have made here over the years. These two parents had invested significant time, talent, and resources in helping to develop our campus in the 1990s—he was instrumental in getting the Robinson Center built, and she helped with landscaping and the addition of many shade trees. Walking around Heathwood in their company, I was struck by the enduring value of their contributions. These encounters with donors coupled with my daily experiences on the Heathwood campus make me excited share the joy of giving with the Heathwood community and grateful for the opportunity to do work that will leave a lasting impact here.”
Upper School Head/Asst. Head of School George Scouten returned to Heathwood Hall in 2013 after three years at Linden Hall (PA), the country’s oldest all-girls boarding school. In his previous tenure at Heathwood (1998-2010), George held various positions, including Dean of Students, Director of International Studies, and English department chair. Originally from Baltimore, MD, George studied English and History at Salisbury, earned his master’s degree from Bowling Green, and completed his Ph.D. in English and Rhetoric from the University of South Carolina. Since then, George has earned multiple accolades for excellence in teaching, including an Elliott Award from the University South Carolina and the SCISA Upper School Teacher of the Year award. He likewise earned a Fulbright Award in 2003, a Turkish Cultural Foundation Award in 2008, and a National Endowment for the Humanities teacher grant to study the poetry of Dante in Siena, Italy in 2009. Most recently, George completed the National Association of Independent Schools Aspiring Heads Fellowship. When not working or spending time with his family, George loves to travel; he also continues to play lacrosse competitively, currently for the Columbia men’s lacrosse team.
“Heathwood is a school with a soul. It’s a place where teachers care about their students and where students extend themselves for their teachers. It’s also a place that fosters the development of each student’s full potential—not just for the sake of that individual student, but so that individual student can make a difference in the world.”
Liz Summers, Assistant Head and Director of Finance and Operations, joined the staff at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in 2001. During her employment she has been responsible for overseeing the expansion and renovation of the School’s campus, including building the Athletic Center, Middle School, Chapel and Dining Commons. In addition to managing the school’s annual budget, Liz oversees the school’s Human Resources, Business Office and transportation functions as well as the school’s physical plant. Prior to her employment with Heathwood Hall, Liz spent 16 years as a commercial lender, credit officer, and manager at Bank of America.
Liz is an alumna of an Episcopal school, graduated from Mary Baldwin College and earned her MBA from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband West are the parents of two Heathwood Hall graduates. She enjoys working in a school because each day brings different and exciting challenges.
Stan Wood, PEAK Director, has been a faculty member at Heathwood since 1983 and has served as Director of the PEAK program since 1997. He previously served as Athletic Director and was head coach of several varsity sports including boys basketball and track. Stan graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education, and is a 1986 and 1998 graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Stan was recognized by the Richland County Conservation District as Conservation Teacher-of-the-Year in 2001 and was awarded the Jim Gasque Award for Teaching Excellence in 2010. He is an experienced kayaker, mountain and road biker, backpacker, mountaineer, and adventure racer. Stan is also a master SCUBA diver and a certified rescue diver.
"I believe students learn best when they actively participate in the learning process. Heathwood has always maintained a commitment to bring learning to life, whether through strong arts and sports programs, special grade-level class projects and trips, or extended internship and international travel opportunities. Being given the opportunity to create the PEAK program has allowed me an avenue to pursue my educational ideals by immersing students in challenging and exciting experiences that move them past levels of comfort, foster self-confidence and generate qualities related to leadership. I am fortunate to work at a place that expects experiential learning to be a critical piece of the education process for every child."
