Lower School

Divya holds a B.A. from Columbia College and first became a substitute teacher at in 2001 and an associate teacher in 2002. She joined the Heathwood family in 2004 as the parent of Avnika ‘10 and joined Heathwood faculty in 2009.

Teresa Bader attended Illinois State University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education along with an additional state endorsement as a reading teacher. Teresa has experience co-teaching second grade and works hard to make learning fun and beneficial to all students. 

Kim joined Heathwood in the fall of 2009 as a third grade lead teacher. After 12 years in that position, she transitioned to become the EC/LS librarian. Her career as an educator has included experiences from Pre K - Middle School in both public and independent schools. She holds a B.A. from Converse College and an M.Ed. from Georgia State University, and she and her husband, Donnie, also have 30 + years of running a summer residential camp in Western North Carolina.

Catherine Barnhill has served Heathwood Hall in a variety of roles for many years. She has served as our Lower School Learning Specialist, 2nd Grade Lead Teacher, and is currently a 1st Grade Lead Teacher. Catherine has a Bachelors in Education from University of South Carolina and a Masters in Special Education, with an emphasis on Learning Differences. As a first grade teacher, Catherine values all learning styles and the magic of learning through the eyes of our young students.

In 2022, Catherine was named South Carolina Independent Schools Association Lower School Teacher of the Year.

LeAnna grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she played on the Wolfpack’s Varsity Tennis team. Before joining the Heathwood faculty, she worked at Kilbourne Park Baptist Preschool for several years as a lead and assistant teacher. She has also served as a tennis coach for elementary, middle, and high school students. Most recently, she coached JV tennis at Dreher High School. LeAnna is a sports fanatic and is a mom to three crazed fans as well: Elaine, a Georgia Bulldog (’19); Anna Jamieson, a UNC Tar Heel (’23); and James, a USC Gamecock (’24).

Caroline Bishop attended the University of South Carolina, where she received a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She has worked in the public school system in second grade and fourth grade over the past two years. Caroline has also worked with the Downtown Church Youth Service Care program on Sunday mornings since 2018. She enjoys running and will be working as an assistant Girl's Cross Country coach this fall. 

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.

Jennifer Carson has more than 25 years of teaching experience, a majority of it in independent schools in South Carolina. Most of her teaching career has been as a 4th and 5th-grade teacher of math and science. At her previous school in Pawleys Island, where she was named Lower School Teacher of the Year in 2015, she taught 4th and 5th-graders math and science. She was also instrumental in creating and implementing STEM education for the school and became the Lower School STEM teacher, teaching grades first through fifth. Jennifer is dedicated to instilling a love for math and science in her students, in addition to making learning fun and relevant. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from USC. During her early years of teaching, she also continued her education by earning her Master’s degree in education.

Paige Carson graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education. She comes to Heathwood with two previous years of experience teaching 3rd Grade.

Jane Clarke attended Auburn University, where she received a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She has done graduate work in the area of Earth and Environmental Resource Management. She recently completed a training program on the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching phonics.  Jane is mother of two Highlanders, Ann Douglas (‘27) and Wylly (‘28). Her teaching career began in Mobile, AL, and while she has enjoyed all levels of teaching, her dream job has always been teaching in second grade. 

Susannah Cook joined the Heathwood community in 2015 as Parent Liaison. In 2017, she moved into the classroom, where she's been ever since. She is the mother of two Highlanders, Jack '21 and Addie-Grace '22. She holds a B.A. from Westminster College and an M.Div. from Columbia Seminary.

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.

Stefanie received her BA in Communication from North Carolina State University and her MA in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked as an instructor at the community college level, a bookseller at an independent children’s bookstore, and a children’s outreach coordinator at PBS-NC. She started at Heathwood as a substitute teacher and is now an associate teacher in the first grade. Stefanie can often be found organizing the classroom library, prepping supplies for an art project, or taking photos of the children! Stefanie is the parent of three Highlanders: Charlotte ‘21, Sophie ‘24 and Julian ‘26.

Lynn has been a teacher and coach since 1984. She has coached Varsity Softball, MS Girls Basketball, Varsity Volleyball. She currently coaches with both girls and boys golf programs. Coach Humphrey competes in the LPGA Amateur Assoc. and volunteers with the organization's tournament operations staff. With a Bachelors and Masters in the Physical Education field, Coach Humphrey focuses on helping students find joy and success in movement and being physically fit.

Nicole Hunter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University. Nicole has over 16 years of teaching experience in Richland 2 and Fairfield County School Districts and has taught K-4, K-5, First Grade, and Second Grade as a lead teacher over the course of her career. She was named the Geiger Elementary School (Ridgeway, SC) Teacher of the Year in 2020. Nicole is married to Croom ('03) and is the mother of Addi ('26) and Elizabeth ('34). 

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.

Alyssa has a degree in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. She is the  Heathwood Hall Girls Head Softball Coach and has also worked as a counselor in our Highlander Day Camp program. She is very excited to be a part of the Early Childhood team.

After 23 years in public education, Michelle and her family moved to Columbia to become a part of the Heathwood community. Before arriving at Heathwood she served as a special education teacher, classroom teacher, dean of students, instructional coach, and an International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator. She also serves as a consultant and workshop leader for IB throughout the USA and Canada. Michelle holds a B.A. from the University of Iowa. She and her husband, Lee, have two children. Parker, 24, lives in New Hampshire, and Madeline is a member of the Heathwood Class of 2023.

Nikki Merritt holds a B.A. from Sewanee. She worked in Heathwood's Development Office 1998-2001, then moved to Greenville where both of her children were born.  After four years in Greenville and four years in Houston, her family moved back to Columbia in 2009 and joined the Heathwood community.  Nikki worked as EC3 Associate Teacher for one year and then began volunteering with Heathwood's Auction and Parent Association and serving as substitute teacher until April 2018 when she joined EC/LS as Administrative Assistant.  

Sonnie Moore graduated from the University of South Carolina with an Elementary Education degree. She has recently taught at a Columbia private school where she helped implement a STEM science program and Lucy Calkins writing workshop. Sonnie’s children, Harris (‘31) and Vaile (‘35), are also Highlanders. In Sonnie’s spare time she enjoys outdoor adventures and spending time with her family.

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.

Katie first joined the Heathwood family in the mid 2000s as an Afternoon Express teacher. After earning her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, she enjoyed a year with the four-year-olds at Heathwood before she accepted a position as a second grade teacher in the Lexington-Richland 5 school district, where she taught for three years. She stepped away from the classroom to be home with her two beautiful daughters for their earliest years, but she returned to teaching at Heathwood in 2019 to join our first grade team. Katie loves the Heathwood campus, and her heart feels at home when she is with the Heathwood community. While away from Heathwood, she also earned her Masters in Language and Literacy from the University of South Carolina and a certification in Teaching Reading (K-12th grade), a major benefit to the young readers and writers in her classroom. Her passion is building a love for reading in young children. Katie is married to Ryan Novak, our academic technology specialist, and is the mother to two happy Highlanders, class of ‘32 and ‘35.

Jill began working at Heathwood as a substitute teacher prior to becoming an Associate Teacher in 2018.   Jill and her family moved to Columbia from Greensboro, N.C. in 2012. She worked at Greensboro Day School in Counseling and Learning Support, as well as in the Athletic Department supporting the winningest high school basketball coach in North Carolina history.  Prior to Greensboro Day, Jill managed physician practices in North Carolina and Atlanta, worked in finance at the headquarters of Labcorp, and managed physician and employer reporting for UnitedHealthcare. She graduated from Elon University with a degree in Psychology.

Jill’s daughter Lilly is a member of the Heathwood Hall Class of 2027.  Her son Carter graduated from Heathwood and is an Aviation Rescue Swimmer in Navy Special Warfare in Virginia Beach.  Her oldest daughter Caroline is an elementary school teacher in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and 2-year-old son.  Jill is married to Steve Parham, a Senior Vice President at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.

Susan attended Rhodes College, where she a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education as well as Religious Studies. She has five previous years of experience teaching fifth grade in independent schools and also recently completed coursework in Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory teaching. Susan’s son, Henry '31, and daughter, Gray '28, are also Highlanders. 

Virginia is a Furman graduate with a BA degree in English. Virginia’s ties to Heathwood run deep as she and her brother were both “lifers” here, her mother, Sandra Hall, is a teacher at Heathwood, and her father served on Heathwood’s Board of Trustees. Virginia is also the mother of two current Heathwood students, Mary Wallace '32 and Sara Marshall '35. Virginia has worked in the political and non-profit arenas, as well as here at Heathwood as an Afternoon Express teacher, summer camp director, and long-term substitute teacher.

Kathy Richardson has been teaching school in South Carolina for over a decade. Kathy grew up in Sumter, South Carolina and received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Clemson University. She has also taken several graduate classes in special education at USC and has been trained in and taught Orton-Gillingham. Kathy has a true passion for for education and teaching. Helping each child progress in all areas of their development is a challenge that she has been honored to accept at Heathwood Hall. Kathy strives to assist and help create a community of learners that nurtures each student's growth in a positive, fun and challenging environment. 

Stephanie joined Heathwood as Head of the Early Childhood and Lower School divisions after eight years as the founding Head of St, Matthew’s School in Bedford, N.Y. She also worked for 12 years at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT in a variety of positions (Kindergarten teacher, Early Childhood Theology teacher, Coordinator of Early Childhood, & Director of Extended programming).  Stephanie’s career started at the Quaker Ridge School in Scarsdale, NY, where she served for three years as a Second Grade teacher.  Stephanie earned her B.A. from SUNY (State University of New York) Purchase in Psychology and holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Fordham University and an MPS in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. 

Anna Schafer joined the Heathwood Hall faculty in the Fall of 2013. After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2003 from the University of Georgia with a major in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, Anna continued living in Athens, Georgia, where she taught first grade for two years at Bethlehem Elementary School.  In 2005, Anna moved to Columbia and taught kindergarten at Congaree-Wood Early Childhood Center in Lexington Two School District for eight years.  She received her MED in Literacy Education from Cambridge College in 2006.  Anna has more than 15 years of teaching experience, most of which have been at the kindergarten level. She is the mother of two Heathwood Highlanders, Harlan '28 and Ramsey '31.

Denise Smith joined the Heathwood community in 2017 as a teacher in the Lower School. She grew up in Illinois and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Illinois University in 2003 with a B.S. in Special Education. She started teaching in the Chicago Public Schools at Jordan Community School where she was a special education classroom teacher. In addition to teaching, she oversaw and implemented the Continuous Improvement Plan set forth for the school. Denise also spent time teaching in the Waterloo (IA) Community Schools and St. George’s Episcopal School in New Orleans. While in New Orleans, Denise was named one of the coordinators for the Ready, Set, Read! summer reading program at St. George’s. There she led a team of teachers each summer from 2013-2017 in a three-week-long specialized intervention program for struggling readers. Denise’s passion as an educator is to help her students wonder about the world around them and to find the joys of childhood in learning. Denise is the proud mother of two Highlanders, Noah ‘25 and Lydia ‘28.

Lauren joined the Heathwood community in 2010 as a parent to Ramsey(‘25). When her son, Henry(‘28) came to Heathwood, Lauren began a new role as an associate teacher in an EC3s class. Lauren has prior experience in elementary education in the South Carolina public school system. In addition to the 3s class, Lauren has taught 1st grade and 4th grade at Heathwood. She holds a B.S. from the University of South Carolina and an M.Ed. from Converse College.

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.

Laura is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she earned her (MSW) Master’s degree in Social Work. She also has a BA in Psychology from Agnes Scott College. She has put those degrees to good use in both the medical and education fields. Most recently, she worked at Kilbourne Park Baptist Preschool as an assistant teacher.

Brooke Whiteman became a member of the Heathwood Hall faculty in the Fall of 2001. A graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1999, Brooke taught fifth-grade English and Social Studies for two years in Virginia before moving to Columbia and joining Heathwood Hall as a fifth-grade teacher in the Middle School. She taught Humanities, Math, and Science before joining the Lower School faculty in 2003, where she has continued to serve as a Third Grade Lead Teacher. Brooke and her husband, Scott, have two children, Alex (class of 2023), and Anna.