Early Childhood

Melissa joined the Heathwood community in 2010 and loves fostering the creative learning of our youngest Highlanders. Melissa studied Studio Art at the College of Charleston, focusing on photography, printmaking, and metalwork sculpting. Later, she earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University. Believing art is an integral part of teaching the whole child, Melissa feels creativity and the arts fuel and support a successful academic career. 

Outside of school, Melissa enjoys photography, graphic design, and gouache painting. She loves spending time with her family and her energetic dog, Rocky. 

Rebecca completed her undergraduate degree in Music Education with an emphasis in vocal and choral music from Winthrop University. While at Winthrop, Rebecca participated in various vocal ensembles including the Winthrop Chorale, the Madrigal Feast Singers, and the Opera Workshop ensemble. Following graduation, Rebecca became a member of the Columba Chorale Society and enjoyed many years singing under the direction of Dr. Larry Wyatt and SC Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Nicholas Smith. Rebecca began her teaching career with middle school chorus in 1993 and then transitioned into the general music elementary classroom. Outside the classroom, Rebecca has directed the Northeast Presbyterian Church Kids' Choir for 15 years, as well as served in the music ministry for the past 20 years as a vocalist and choir member. She previously served has the women's minister music coordinator for 10 years and the Sunday Kids' worship leader for 3 years. In addition, Rebecca has served at NEPC as the VBS music coordinator for the preschool and the elementary school-age children for 15 years. Rebecca came to Heathwood in 2019 along with her son Josh '28. Rebecca is the mother of 3 boys and loves teaching the amazingly bright children at Heathwood!

Brian Buscher is a Lower School Physical Education teacher and heads Heathwood’s baseball program. Coach Buscher is a graduate of the University of South Carolina , where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. Before his teaching career started, he was a professional baseball player for nine years and Division 1 college baseball assistant coach for six years.

Mandi Dargan has felt at home at Heathwood since she first joined the Summer Programs and Afternoon Express staff in 1997. She has taught kindergarten and EC4s preschool and considers herself fortunate to be part of a program so deeply committed to the importance of excellent early childhood education. Heathwood is a place where teachers and students alike are encouraged to learn and grow through meaningful experiences, and Mandi especially enjoys partnering with other divisions to create authentic learning opportunities with between our younger and older students.

Mandi holds a B.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Heathwood Hall is a very special place to Katherine ('94) and her husband, Stephen ('91), as they are both graduates of Heathwood Hall. Katherine attended Heathwood Hall from Kindergarten through 12 grade. Their three children are Highlanders as well: Walker '22, Ellie '23, and Ann Nelson '28. Her interest in Early Childhood Education started early and stems from her experience with her Senior Exhibition of Mastery here at Heathwood. Katherine earned her B.A. from Columbia College and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. She has taught 2-year-olds, preschool, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade in public and private schools. This is her ninth year back teaching at Heathwood and her third year as an EC 4 lead teacher. She truly enjoys spending each day with her students and nurturing their curiosity, enthusiasm, and love for learning. Katherine believes that Heathwood is by far the most rewarding teaching environment and community! She finds joy in watching her students grow and develop academically, socially, and emotionally here on campus for their entire school career from age 2 through age 18.

Jenny Cathcart Holder is a local product, having lived in Columbia all of her life.  She is a graduate of Heathwood Hall, Class of 2000, where she was involved in several programs, participated in various sports, and earned the Headmaster's Award.  As a Heathwood student, Jenny was always fond of the school counselor, enjoyed being a peer counselor, and made it her goal to one day hold a similar post.  After earning a double major in Psychology and Spanish from Auburn University, she came back to Heathwood and began working as a teacher in the Afternoon Express program.  She has served in several other roles at the school, including Spanish/Study Skills teacher in the Middle School and Associate teacher and Spanish teacher in the Lower School.  While working in those various roles, she completed her Education Specialist degree in Counselor Education, School Counseling from the University of South Carolina in 2010.  As the Early Childhood and Lower School Counselor, Jenny is doing what she has desired since her Heathwood student days: helping to foster and support the community that she loves.  Her current professional affiliations include the American Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

In the autumn of 2022, Rev. Christopher Johnson joined Heathwood Hall as the leader of the campus chaplaincy program, bringing with him a wealth of experience and education. Prior to his tenure at Heathwood Hall, he dedicated 12 years to healthcare chaplaincy, where he nurtured his profound understanding of the spiritual needs of individuals. His academic journey encompasses an undergraduate degree in World Religions from Guilford College ('05), along with multiple Master's Degrees in Pastoral Theology from Saint Joseph's College of Maine ('15) and Divinity from Bexley Seabury Seminary ('23).

Rev. Johnson's intellectual pursuits reflect his deep-seated passions. His curiosity about Sacramental Theology, Meditation practices, and a comprehensive grasp of Global Anglicanism and Church History underlines his commitment to broadening his knowledge and spiritual insights. Engaging with the contemporary landscape of faith is one of his focal points of interest. This includes open conversations about the intricate intersection of faith and the modern world, as well as the paramount role of grace when engaging with individuals who hold differing viewpoints.

Sally Mourateva graduated from Heathwood in 2008 and went on to major in Spanish at the University of South Carolina. She studied Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina and completed her Master in Arts and Teaching in Spanish. Since completion of her MAT, she has taught Spanish in language immersion programs at the middle school and the elementary level in Lexington One and Richland One school districts and at the university level. Her daughter Elena is also a Highlander.

Claudia came to Heathwood from Kilbourne Park Preschool where she has been a lead teacher in their two-year-old program for10 years. She is very excited to bring all of her knowledge of that special age group to Heathwood Hall.

Kristi has been teaching Early Childhood for 13 years and has loved every minute of it. She holds a B.A. and an M.A.T. from the University of South Carolina and came to Heathwood Hall in 2018 with her 3 children, Dylan '29, Delaney '31, and Deacon '35. Her husband, Daniel Plyler, is a local attorney and they both graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Brittney Shields graduated from Midlands Technical College and Columbia College, where she earned her degree in Early Care and Education and Behavioral Science. She has experience in teaching infants to Pre-K and has served as an Early Interventionist in surrounding areas.

After earning a B.A. from the University of South Carolina Honors College and a Masters in Teaching, specializing in early childhood education, also from the UofSC, Rebecca began teaching for several years in the 4s in Richland One. She then became a stay-at-home mom to Christina ‘22 and Ethan ‘23, both “lifers” at Heathwood. After many years of being an eager volunteer and a homeroom mom, Rebecca came back to teaching as a substitute. She taught all over the EC and Lower School. Rebecca then joined the Early Childhood team as an associate in the 2s. Knowing what Heathwood has meant to Christina and Ethan and our family, Rebecca is excited to teach new generations of Highlanders.

Dawne joined the faculty at Heathwood in 2019. Prior to that, she taught 2s and 3s at Eastminster Day School for 18 years.

Stefani joined the faculty at Heathwood in 2017. She currently teaches both Lower School and Early Childhood Physical Education. In addition to her work in the classroom, Stefani is the Head Women’s Varsity Volleyball Coach, and has previously served as Head Coach to the Middle School Volleyball program. Outside of Heathwood she has played and coached volleyball at both the colligate and club levels. Before moving to South Carolina, Stefani spent two years serving as the first assistant at Iona College for the Women’s volleyball and a year serving as the Second Assistant at Rider University. She has coached numerous camps and clubs for over 12 years. Stefani comes to us from Long Island, New York, where she graduated from Molloy College with B.A. in Communications with a minor in Psychology.