Hannah Hicks is the director at Learn Together Lowcountry where she leads the coordination of efforts for this vibrant community. Hannah has business ownership and management experience to equip her in this task but proclaims that homeschooling and home management have been the most fulfilling, if not most challenging management tasks she’s encountered. She and her husband have four children - two in college and two who enjoy LTL and other homeschool activities. In addition to LTL, Hannah organizes local field trips with Lowcountry Field Trips for the homeschool community and offers various IT and event management services to local homeschool and church groups. She believes that there is no greater privilege or mission than to share the truth of Jesus’ love for us in that he died for our sins so that we may have life. This is the purpose of our work here.

hannah@learntogetherlowcountry.org

Hi, my name is Kristen Walters. I moved from Michigan to Hilton Head in 2007 and started my family here! We have 3 amazing kids, (Fiona, Jonathon, and Violet) and we have been homeschooling since 2020. Homeschooling has been one of the biggest blessings of my life, and I praise God everyday that we are able to stay this course. Fridays at LTL are my kids’ favorite day of the week! I enjoy working behind the scenes at LTL and am thankful that God has used my gifts in the most rewarding way!

I enjoyed working in Accounting, Hospitality, and Special Events. In my free time I work as a seamstress, making custom home decor.. I’m always eager to learn new things and I love to continually add to my bucket of skills!

My name is Johnnie Garrett. I just completed my third year of homeschooling and I’m so grateful for LTL. A little about me. I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA (go Steelers!) and I moved here 17 years ago. I’ve been in church since I was two and I gave my life to the Lord when I was nine years old. At a kid’s camp, they showed us the crucifixion scene from the “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” At that moment, I finally realized the weight of what Jesus had done for me. I began to cry and asked the Lord to save me and I have been following Him ever since. I attended and graduated from a private Christian school. I attended Carlow College and received my degree in Social Work. After graduation, I worked in foster care and adoption for over 10 years. I met my husband, John, in 2008 and we were married in August 2009. We have beautiful, twin boys named Caleb and Isaiah. Isaiah was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. We have had struggles but he is an amazing little boy and so is his brother. The Lord has blessed us so much! We are so grateful to be apart of this wonderful ministry.

Hi! My name is Mia Henke. I am a homeschool momma of 4 and a pediatric RN. My husband and I are Montana natives, but my husband’s career as a Navy dentist has taken us many places. In 2022 we were sent to Beaufort, SC where we have fallen in love with the Lowcountry.

My husband and I both grew up homeschooling and attending different co-ops. We are so grateful to have found the LTL team and that our children get to have the same wonderful experience that we did. After graduating high school, I received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mary in North Dakota and then began my nursing career as a pediatric RN. I have had a unique experience as a nurse in that I have primarily worked in my patient’s homes. Instead of kiddos being hospitalized 24/7 due to various chronic diseases and chromosomal abnormalities, they got discharged home with me so they could keep being a kid! I went to school with them, the park with them, the doctor with them, etc. All of my previous patients had special needs (or special talents as I like to call them), which has provided me with a lot of experience to bring to the sensory room.

I have always worked around children, but for me it’s not work, It’s an adventure. I’m so grateful for every opportunity God has given me to jump back into the magical world of childhood through my own kids, my patients, and now my students. I am a firm believer that a kid should get to be a KID. Let’s have fun together!

Kristi is originally from Danville Kentucky and graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of Kentucky. She relocated to Bluffton in 2017 when her husband John retired from the Marine Corps. She has been homeschooling her 3 daughters for 10 years. She feels God has blessed their family tremendously with the Learn Together Community and is eager to give back through her roles as Director of Fine Arts and Teen Event Coordinator. Kristi has a passion for the arts and studied voice and vocal production for 7 years. From an early age she has been involved in musical theatre productions, and has performed in choral groups for over 40 years. Kristi was honored to be a soloist in several USO stage productions along the East Coast while her husband was deployed in Iraq. She loves being a part of Learn Together Lowcountry’s Fine Arts Department where it is our mission to help our students use their God given gifts for His Glory.

Hi! My name is Jessica Starleigh. My husband has served in the Marine Corps now for 20 years, so even though we are originally from Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, we have lived all over America. Even though it has been challenging at times, we have been so blessed to serve our country and to have made friends from all over!

We have homeschooled our son Cameron who just turned 14, for 3 years now and will be starting our 4th year in the fall.

I was a dental assistant for 10 years, but decided I wanted to have a career change and go into business. I graduated from the Technical College of the Lowcountry with my Business Management degree in 2014. Then I received my Marketing Management degree from Western Governors University in 2019. I worked as a Social Media Marketing Manager for Marine Corps Community Services in Hawaii until we moved back to the Lowcountry in 2023. The same year we started LTL and we fell in love!

We have loved the classes, the teachers, the community and the events. Everything is so well organized and you can tell everyone really cares about the students. The first year I just volunteered in classes and last year I worked as the Social Media Team Lead and it has been such an honor to share to the public all the amazing things that LTL does and stands for! This year I am so excited to continue my roll, but to also help with our new program the Media Ministry. You will also see me helping in the new Lights, Camera, Action class!
We are so excited about our 3rd year at LTL, it’s going to be the best one yet!!

Lauren is a native of Bluffton, SC. She grew up attending the Church of the Cross with her parents and two older sisters here in the Lowcountry. She danced ballet with Hilton Head Dance Theatre since she was four and was in the dance company while studying business at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. After college, she traveled for a couple years before returning home, where she met her husband Alex. They got married in 2014, and after he finished his enlistment with the United States Marine Corps, they moved to his home city, Dallas, Texas. After a few years there, they returned to Bluffton in 2017. Lauren has taught ballet to all ages, is a licensed USCG boat captain, and works with the Sunday school program at church.

They have two children, Adelaide (9) and Glenn (5). As a family, they enjoy fellowship, boating, and anything outdoors related. They put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and know God is in control!

My name is Heather Kruszka and I’m the Nursery Director at Learn Together Lowcountry. I’m a homeschool mom of three ages 14, 11, and 4. We have been homeschooling for 6 years now. I’ve worked with children my entire life! I’m the oldest sibling of seven sisters. I’ve taken childcare classes beginning in high school.

I’ve volunteered in my church nursery for the past six years. I am currently the Children’s Ministry Director for my church. I’m a tutor for Classical Conversations in Bluffton and I’m raising three kids! I look forward to spending time with your littles and doing all the things babies and toddlers love to do!

Hi! My name is Erin Ward. My family moved to Beaufort 3 years ago with the Navy but my husband and I are originally from Michigan. Out of all those places the Navy has taken us, Beaufort is the first place we’ve really felt like home and found the community we hear others talk about having. We have two sons, ages 10 and 5, and only started homeschooling this past year. I wouldn’t change a thing and truly believe it is the best decision for our neurodiverse family.

Hi My Name is Brittany Devlin.

I am originally from Sylvania, Ga but have always had family in the Beaufort area so grew up between the two. I served in the United States Navy for four years (2006 - 2010) and spent 10 years living on the west coast. When life brought me back to Beaufort I couldn't have been happier as my heart has always belonged here.

I have a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. I finished my MBA in 2013, shortly after my time in the Navy came to an end. I chose to remain at home with my children rather than pursue a career. I felt that my children needed me more than we needed the second income. When Hannah asked for my admin help I was thrilled to jump on the opportunity to refresh and use my knowledge while being able to remain with my children.

I have three daughters; Alexis, Abigail and Amelia. We joined LTL in the Fall of 2023. Not only have we enjoyed all that LTL has to offer, from classes to events, but we have found community here and feel so very blessed in that.

My name is Katie Compher and we have lived in Hilton Head for a little over 9 years now. Homeschooling is a newer experience for our family as we just started this journey last December. We found LTL in the spring and it has been such a blessing and was life changing.

I completed my BSN in December of 2007 from Shepherd University. My primary experience is in NBN, Nicu, postpartum and Labor & delivery. Before and during nursing school I was a CNA/IV tech on a pediatrics floor. Working with children and being able to be part of the childbirth process was an amazing experience. I have put a pause on working in the hospital to help with the family business and enjoy time with our girls. I am excited to teach Nursing 101 this year and inspire the next generation of nurses.

Kati White Tatter is a professional artist and designer, currently creating art through her Lowcountry studio, Sara Kate Couture. She is also an exhibiting artist at the Beaufort Art Association. Kati attended the so-called “public Ivy” College of William and Mary and completed her BFA in Illustration at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she also studied Creative Writing at Brown University. Kati holds a Master of Letters (MLitt) from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, earning her degree via famed auction house, Christies, in London and receiving accolades for extensive Biblical knowledge.

Kati was an Operations Executive for a luxury stationery company in Manhattan, as well as the Producer of its online style magazine, CeciStyle. After assisting floral legend Holly Heider Chapple’s studio as an in-house designer in the DC Metro area, she spent ten years in the luxury wedding industry as a designer and chief consultant for global luxury organization, The Inner Circle Experience.

Here in the Lowcountry, Kati home educates her two wonderful sons and enjoys the slower pace of living. For fun, Kati bakes custom cookies via her home bakery, Sara Kate Couture Cookie Co., enjoys playing her baby grand and performs in local theatrical productions (Kati used to act professionally — but that’s a different story!).

Hello! My name is Janine Cole. To tell you a little bit about me. I am originally from New Jersey, we moved to Bluffton in 2009. I have worked with children at some compacity since I was 12 years old. My journey with children began with babysitting, which I continued to do through college, in addition to acting as a teacher’s assistant in Preschools. I earned a B.A. in Home Economics with a minor in Human Services from Montclair State University. I earned my teaching degree from Kean University and I taught Kindergarten for 13 years. After our first daughter was born in 2007, I decided to be a stay at home Mom. During this time, I provided childcare in my home. In 2009 we moved to Bluffton and we had our second daughter in 2011. Shortly after, I began teaching Art at May River Montessori, classes in my home and at Lowcountry Montessori School. Last year I went back to school and earned my Esthetics License.

Teaching Art has been a true blessing to me. I love to create a welcoming space for others to have the opportunity to explore and express their creativity through mixed media.

I am beyond excited and blessed to share my passions with your children.

I have called the Lowcountry home for the past twenty (20) years & cannot imagine my heart being happier anywhere else. I have a daughter, Eva, who will be a junior this coming year. (Momma’s & Daddy’s don’t blink, because it truly does go by so quickly!!) Before homeschooling my daughter, & joining LTL almost eight (8) years ago, I was a former public school teacher, working with the deaf in Ohio for fifteen (15) years. I taught here in SC for 2 years before having Eva, and then decided to go on the homeschooling journey! 

Because of LTL, as many have heard me say over the years, Friday is my favorite day of the week!! Chances are, if you’ve walked into the church on a Friday and smelled something yummy, it was probably coming from my Passport Class!! Each week, we journey to a different country and can see, as well as smell and taste, some of God’s blessings worldwide. Along with Passport, I have taught ASL, Government, Economics, and Psychology classes over the years. 

I’m excited to see my “old” friends and meet new ones this next year. It will be another amazing adventure!

Christy has a background in music and elementary education. She grew up in the Lowcountry, and after completing her education as a music major with primary emphasis in piano and secondary in voice, she taught music in the public school systems in Tennessee and North Carolina before moving back to Bluffton. She is married with six children. Christy has had tons of experience in music in the community including Music Directorship with Bluffton Youth Theatre, Pianist with Grace Coastal Church, and private piano teacher locally. She has continued her love of teaching through the Classical Conversations program as a Foundations tutor for a decade and will be starting her 3rd year as the Challenge 3 (11th grade) Director for CC of Bluffton, which includes a course in music theory. She has served in leadership with LTL since it began and has been teaching music classes and piano lessons for the past two years.

Hey! My name is Vonnah and I have been homeschooling for 11 years. I have 5 kids, Aurora (15), Skyla (13), Dimitri (11), Malachi (9), Juliana (7). I am originally from Massachusetts but have called Bluffton home for 7 years. We now live on a small homestead with a huge garden and chickens.
I went to College at Florida Atlantic University and have two Bachelor Degrees in Chemistry and Psychobiology - Behavioral Neuroscience. So, of course, my favorite subject to teach is Science. I am so excited to be teaching on Thursdays at LTL+. I am passionate about hands-on science and can’t wait to bring experiments, discovery, and excitement to our Science classes! I am also teaching a few fun classes on Fridays, sharing my love for outdoor crafts and a more natural lifestyle.

Hi! My name is Amanda Bruns, and I am originally from Norfolk, VA. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Liberty University. Our family moved to Bluffton, SC, 2017 for my husband’s work. Soon after, I began working part-time as a children’s ministry assistant and director for a local church while homeschooling and caregiving for my mom.

My husband and I have three teenage daughters (17, 14, and 12) whom I have homeschooled since kindergarten. Homeschooling has been such a blessing and a right fit for our family over the years. Our family is now going on our second year at LTL. We are so thankful to have found LTL and the community here!

Victor Jacob has lived in South Carolina since moving from Louisiana in 2006. He is a father of three boys, whose love for the outdoors comes from his childhood involvement in Scouting, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He’s been giving back to that organization since 2017, first as Cubmaster of Pack 213 and now as Scoutmaster of Troop 222 now that all three of his sons are in scouting. Under his leadership,  Pack 213 cleared the area LTL uses for their outdoor classes, so teaching Survival Skills and Bushcraft in “Camp Akela” has been a special treat. 

A Licensed Massage therapist for 24 years, his First professional Teaching job was with Cross Schools, teaching the Makerspace class for the 2022-23 school year. This will be his third year teaching the Survival Skills Class for LTL and the second year teaching his Bushcraft Basics class. New this year, he will teach “Challenge Accepted” and “Lego Engineering.”

He truly believes that learning how to plan for adventures in the outdoors is a great way to build confidence in young people, and he is looking forward to many years of passing on what he knows to the Learn Together Lowcountry kids. 

My name is Kelly Smith. My family and I have lived in Bluffton for 3 years and I’m in my second year of homeschooling with my four kids, ages 11, 9, 6, and 2. We first found LTL in the spring of 2024 and we all fell in love with the mission and energy of all that takes place here each Friday and are so thankful for this community.  

While I have been at home with my own children for a number of years now, I have been working with kids at a variety of ages and settings since high school.  I have a B.A. in Elementary Education and have worked with toddlers through middle school while teaching in a Montessori setting, day care type setting, coaching gymnastics, and summer programs for students with special needs. 

With kids, every day is new, filled with wonder and adventure.  I am excited to come along side their energy and curiosity with opportunities to learn, grow, and discover here at LTL.

Hi! My name is Kristin Schlabs. I’m the proud momma of three amazing kiddos—Wren (14), Jameson (12), and Eden (9). This is our fifth year of homeschooling, and we are loving it! We really enjoy the freedom it gives us and the ability to explore our interests as a family.

I was born on Long Island, but my family moved to Hilton Head when I was young, so I’ve pretty much grown up here in the Lowcountry. I met my husband in Atlanta while we were working for the same software company—he was a programmer, and I was a training specialist for a major billing system. I spent years traveling around the country teaching training classes, creating user guides, and trying to make learning billing software fun (not as easy as it sounds!).

Once we started our family, our journey brought us back home to the Lowcountry—and we’re so happy to be here for good!

I’ve taught several classes at LTL and 3rd grade youth ministry at our church. I’m super excited to be teaching the Celebrate It and IMPROV classes this year. I also love organizing our smaller events—my top favorites are the Disguise a Turkey Art Contest in November and the LTL Reading Challenge in March.

My name is Gretchen La Pour. I grew up in Minneapolis, MN. I graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA with a degree in Social Work and Anthropology. I worked as a nursing home social worker for several years, then moved into healthcare marketing. After my husband David accepted a job teaching golf in Bluffton, I became a stay-at-home mom to our two children, Anna and Zachary.

We love living here and feel blessed to do so. Homeschooling our children has been the most demanding yet rewarding thing I have ever done. That said, there is something about that moment when they finally understand something that makes all the tough days melt away. I love that I get to be there for those moments! Homeschooling also provides me with the ability to present every subject in light of God’s Word, which is a precious privilege that I pray I will never take for granted.

I currently teach all subjects to the sixth graders at Highlands Latin School and am excited to tutor this year at LTL. I am available to tutor all ages and most subjects. I’ll consider just about anything, so please don’t hesitate to ask.

Mallorie Dowd is a wife and homeschool mother of four, new to Pooler, Georgia. 

After graduating from Ogeechee Tech, Mallorie obtained both a cosmetology license and a substitute teaching certification. She eventually left her career in hair to focus on her family and began her homeschooling journey. 

Always passionate about photography, she began pursuing training in not only photo and graphic editing but also film and video. 

While the Dowd family was in the process of moving to take care of an ailing family member, she was invited to Learn Together Lowcountry. What should have been a more difficult time, she was blessed with love, fellowship, and community for not only her children, but also a place for herself.

It is her Goal to share the word of God (and the culture and heart of LTL) through various forms of media, shine his light in every moment, and encourage and inspire our youth to do the same. 

Greetings! I'm Elizabeth – home school mama to twin boys. You will find me each week checking in on classes and helping in the background with our volunteer schedule, staffed by our gifted and generous parents whose work each Friday keeps our program running smoothly.

Before our home schooling journey began, my husband and I managed a youth and family camp for several years in California. I continued my work with children as an AP English and Honors teacher in both Florida and South Carolina before being led to home school our boys. We have just completed our seventh year. This call to home school is a mighty undertaking. It can be soul trying and deeply humbling, and yet, it is also a grace-filled path paved with eternal value. What a privilege it is to point our children in the direction of the King!

Elyse Stromer is a local violinist from Ridgeland, South Carolina. She has been a part of the Beaufort Youth Orchestra for the past eight years and the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra for four years, and she studies with Ms. Ami Rabinowitz and Mrs. Asako Kremer. Currently Elyse is in high school and enjoys being a homeschooler at Classical Conversations. 

She loves playing her violin in her church’s worship team, playing chamber music with her friends, and working on classical and fiddle tunes. Teaching other students has been an amazing experience for her, and she loves getting to share her passion for music with others. 

Starting the violin at two years old, music has always been a major part of Elyse’s life, and she is very excited to help others reach their musical goals, and hopes that her love for music will inspire others to give glory to the amazing Creator who has gifted it to us!

My name is Rebekka Drago, and I’m the mom of three precious girls. This will be our seventh year homeschooling, and it has been such a blessing. We love the freedom that homeschooling brings—freedom to discover individual passions and freedom to spend quality time together as a family.

I graduated from a Christian high school in South Carolina and then received a BA in English from Francis Marion University. (Go, Swamp Foxes!)

Around our homeschool community, I’m known as the “gameschooling mom.” I’m a firm believer that games provide a judgment-free, stress-free environment for introducing and reinforcing educational concepts.

I am Mia Kruszka and I am a 17 year old business owner of Powder. Powder is a gluten and dairy free dessert business where I sell at ltl as well as custom orders. I am educated through finishing and completing Wilton’s four course classes at ltl. I’m schooling through classical conversations for 9 years and counting. I will be graduating this year. I have been apart of ltl for 5 consecutive years. I look forward to finishing out my senior year leading children closer to Jesus through my God given talent.

My name is Lisa Zabak and I am originally from Chesterland, Ohio. I have a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. In 2016 my husband and I decided we needed a change of scenery and moved our family to the beautiful town of Bluffton. When we moved here I became a stay at home mom and last year I started homeschooling my oldest daughter, who is now 7. We are continuing on that path this year, along with my youngest who just turned 6. God has blessed me beyond measure on this journey and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for me.

Matt was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL where tackling cattle for his family's farm, exploring the woods with friends, and jumping into alligator infested waters with cousins was just a normal part of life. He earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Flagler University while also serving in the youth ministry at his home church and leading missions teams overseas with International Impact Ministry for several years. Matt moved to the Lowcountry in 2011, got married in 2013, and ventured into his own family run epoxy floor company in 2018. Although Matt runs his business full time, he wanted to serve the Lord in a youth ministry and was so grateful that an opportunity opened up through LTL. Matt also is a football coach for the Bluffton Bulldogs youth traveling football program for 6-8yo boys. Life is busy being a dad of two boys, coach, teacher, and business owner, but he absolutely loves where the Lord has him for this season.

Jenni Tadlock is a wife, mom of two boys, and daughter of the King. She moved to Hilton Head from PA with her family (go Eagles!) and has lived here in the lowcountry since 1991 minus the years spent in Columbia, SC for undergrad and grad school. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry cognate from the University of South Carolina (go Gamecocks!) and a Biblical Ministry Certificate from the master’s program at Columbia International University.

Although she thought international missions was going to be her full-time future, she is beyond grateful for the Lord's redirection. Being a homeschool momma and serving in the women's and children's ministry at her church has been a tremendous blessing and incredible challenge that forces her to lean into Him daily. She is also looking forward to her fourth year of teaching at LTL and sharing about the love of our Creator with her kiddoes in the classroom. Jenni is always ready to go shark tooth hunting, spend time outside with her boys, or fellowship with others with some coffee in hand, and she loves all things nature (except bugs).

My name is Halee Hindelang, I’m originally from Pampa, Tx, a very small town not many have heard of. I moved to Georgia at a young age and met my husband at the age of 16. We were engaged five months later. God has blessed us with three beautiful children together and after 14 long years as a military spouse, my husband finally got out of the army and we moved to SC to be closer to his parents. Through the years we have been foster parents, we have also been wildlife rehabilitation for deer, squirrels, and raccoons. In my spare time I knit frogs for my Etsy shop and enjoy knitting any time I can. Baking is my second favorite, bread making being my favorite. Homeschooling just became our natural option after our children struggled with deployments, it just fit so much better for us. Since the move here, we weren’t sure we would find a good co op, and now we are so blessed to have found LTL! This year I get the opportunity to teach and I am beyond overjoyed that I will get to play an even bigger part in this amazing ministry. God truly has answered so many prayers for us through LTL!

Hey! My name is Kali! I’m a Christ follower and SC native, raised in Greenville, where I grew up in the country on family land enjoying the beauty of a close-knit family tree. My sisters and I spent our childhood wandering through the woods and creek and horse pastures, tending our hobby farm, gardening with my grandfather, enjoying endless four-wheeling and softball and pool days, and thriving in the freedom of homeschooling. I went on to study education with a minor in voice at North Greenville University, out of a love for music and a passion for all things students. This has led me to experiences as a math tutor and homeschool teacher for grades K-8th, 3 years as a children’s ministry director, 15 years as a student ministry leader, 5 years as camp ministry staff, and countless years as a childcare provider. Amidst adventuring with my own 4 kids and husband, I can also be found raising cavapoo and husky puppies, coaching soccer and softball, whipping up yummy goodness nonstop, taking in the beauty of the night sky, and chasing salt water moments. I’m grateful for all the avenues of worship I have encountered thus far and cannot wait to bring glory to His name through teaching students at LTL this semester!

I taught college-level classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a range of ages at a small Christian school in Paxton, Illinois, but the teaching experience I am most proud of is the 18+ years I have spent homeschooling my three children. I have successfully graduated two of them and am currently educating my last high schooler.

I first heard of homeschooling in my teens when my brother’s friend told me he was learning at home. I remember asking, “Is that even legal?” Now I know that it is not just legal, but an excellent way to get a strong, customized education. It has been a blessing to watch my children thrive and grow in academics and in life.

Through homeschooling, I have learned that every subject offers an opportunity for instruction and excitement. Math and Science reveal the order and complexity of creation. History broadens perspectives, addresses injustice, and tells of important developments and discoveries. Literature and Writing help us think deeply about ideas and communicate them logically, honestly, and in a way that honors God. The Bible provides us with the truth to understand our purpose and direction for daily living. Every class, from Spelling to Physics to Economics to Art, offers something to learn about and marvel at.

I am a firm believer in the power of homeschooling and feel blessed to be on the Board of Directors of LTL, a ministry that helps others on their educational journeys.

Megan Wooldridge is an adaptable homeschool mom with a lifelong passion for learning and exploring the beauty found in nature. I have had the privilege of serving in various teaching capacities that have affirmed my love for guiding young minds in their journey of learning, growth and discovery and look forward to sharing my passion for teaching and my commitment to a Christ-centered education.While my formal education may be limited, my love for God and dedication to nurturing the hearts and minds of children are boundless. I am eager to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment where students can grow academically, spiritually, and emotionally incorporating hands-on activities and read-aloud sessions into our learning activities. I believe in creating a space where children can ask questions, explore their interests, and develop critical thinking skills.

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community of homeschooling families who share a common faith and commitment to providing a Christ-centered education. I am excited to meet and partner with each of you as we nurture and educate our children.

I like to say that I’m from all over.  I was born in Athens, GA, and grew up moving every couple of years based on my dad’s duty stations in the Navy.  At the impressionable age of 14, I spent a month of the summer living in France with a family I had never met.  I did the same at age 17 with a different family in Switzerland.  By the time I was in my mid-twenties and finishing my service in the Navy, I had lived in eight states, a handful of European countries, and even Japan.  I have travelled extensively and learned to value the universality of the human experience.  God is everywhere we look!

Although I studied finance at the University of Notre Dame, my true education has come from being married for 12 years and the father of two amazing kids.  I also learned a lot from my teacher credentialing program and teaching in California, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.  My more recent advanced degree was a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, which was inspired by working in a hospital's behavioral health unit and volunteering as a phone interventionist for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.  I have my associate’s license in Marriage and Family Therapy and see clients in both GA and SC.  

I see myself as a wild soul of the woods and the waves.  I have my Wilderness EMT license, which is helpful as I spend my time surfing, rock climbing, foraging, and communing with nature.  Since the Lowcountry doesn’t offer much rock climbing, I direct much of my energy to teaching and training Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Hilton Head.  I also value my time leading dolphin tours on small boats out of Hilton Head with Lowcountry Watersports.  God’s creation is my playground!

I’m excited to continue to bring love, kindness, patience, creativity, and enthusiasm to all I do with the LTL community.

Susan is a new member of the Lowcountry Learn Together team. She grew up in the Chicagoland area and recently relocated to Bluffton post her retirement from the corporate world. Susan spent her career helping employees to adopt and advance their skills due to new implemented technologies and business processes. She enthusiastically leverages these skills to expand the minds and knowledge of our local rising homeschooled kids.

Susan has always been active in her church and continues to do so here in Bluffton.

She is thrilled to share her faith and be of service to the students at LTL. These kids teach and strengthen her relationship with our Lord.

Susan has a Bachelors in Engineering and Computer Science from Oklahoma State University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

During her career she had the opportunity to live and work in Germany as an expatriate. She is a dog lover, enjoys golfing and running, and looks forward to learning to play pickleball.

Hi, I’m Julie!
I’m originally from a small town in northwest Ohio, but after living in a few different states, I settled in South Carolina in 2011 and quickly knew it was home. I’ve been married to my husband, Jarrett, since 2018, and together we have a blended family of four amazing kids.

We began homeschooling in 2020 after a combination of life events and a strong sense that it was the right fit for our family. I originally studied to become a math and science teacher, but over time, my path shifted toward health and wellness. For over 10 years, I’ve worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Nursing Assistant.

I’ve always had a love for science and enjoy helping others understand how things work—especially when it comes to the human body and how we care for it. I’m looking forward to sharing that passion and connecting with other families in our co-op community.

Hi! I'm Lily Bruns. I've been homeschooled since first grade and have developed a strong passion for working with kids—especially those between the ages of 4 and 6. Since I was 12, I've gained hands-on experience through volunteering, babysitting, and working as a camp counselor.

I’ve been attending Learn Together Lowcountry since fall 2023, where some of my favorite classes have been Intro to Psychology, Worship Band, and Life Skills. I'm on track to graduate high school in the spring of 2026, with plans to pursue both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy.

When I’m not studying or babysitting, I love crafting, going to the beach, and spending time with my friends.

I’m Kaley Creech, I live in Pooler Ga. I am a Homeschool graduate with FEFC. I am excited to start my next homeschooling chapter with my daughter. We found LTL in 2023 and fell in love with all it had to offer. In May’24 I left my job of 14yrs to homeschool full time. You can now find me baking, creating jewelry for my jewelry business and enjoying the outside world with my family.

I look forward to helping teachers and other staff have the best year. The best is yet to come.

Reagan Wyatt was an early high school graduate with honors. She received the National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude award three years in a row. She trained in ballet for twelve years and was president of Okatie Youth Ballet’s National Honors Society of Dance Arts chapter. Reagan has studied classical piano for fourteen years and was a finalist for the ISCA Rising Stars competition for five years. She currently is employed as a ballet and preschool teacher at Okatie Youth Ballet and is a flight school student pursuing a career as a professional pilot. She attended Learn Together Lowcountry throughout middle school and high school and is very excited to give back to such a wonderful community.

As a mathematician, inventor and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike takes an abstract, original, analytical approach to studying the Bible. That, combined with his down-to-earth writing style, has made his columns at ailbe.org popular with a wide range of Christians.

Hi, my name is Bryce Oliver. I am 19 years old and have lived here in South Carolina since I was 7 years old. Ever since I was little, I have always had a fascination with computers and understanding how things work. I even took apart an old printer for one of my engineering projects! Since then I have had multiple opportunities to use the gifts and talents that God gave me to honor him and to build a successful career! I have been working on electronics, fixing devices, and building computers for clients for around 4 years now. I also am currently the Audio/Visual Director for my local home church, Praise Assembly of Beaufort!

Now God has allowed me to teach young minds similar to mine with the knowledge that I have gained so far, to help them pursue a career in whatever field they might want! My goal here at LTL is to help children like me develop real-world applicable skills in whatever they choose do to! I also want to help raise them up in a way that glorifies God completely!

Hi! My name is Nancy Bergmann. I am originally from Long Island NY. I worked for a while as a receptionist at a car dealership before moving into retail sales. My husband, Henry and I moved to the Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts for his job and I found a new passion for public administration. We were blessed when his career brought us down here to the Lowcountry 15 years ago. Since then, I switched back to retail and worked out at the Tanger Outlets for 12 years before I realized that I wanted to slow down and enjoy my family. I have volunteered with other school and church organizations since then and have found new purpose in these ministries.

We have been blessed with two fantastic children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. When I heard that LTL needed help, it felt natural to volunteer and to be a part of nurturing and educating the next generation. We have found another family through LTL and continue to meet so many amazing people through this journey. May God continue to bless all of the dedicated teachers and volunteers of this amazing community.

Luke and Sarah Bates, along with their four boys, have been serving in Southern Asia for 12 years. They initially moved to Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2012, focusing on aiding vulnerable girls and women. Their mission is to help people understand the love of their creator and form a relationship with him. In their upcoming 4-year term, they will lead a launch team in Southern Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan) based in Dubai, UAE. This team will train new missionaries for church planting and missionary life, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. They also provide Member Care for missionaries in Southern Asia, believing that healthy missionary units are essential for effective church establishment. Additionally, they help lead Akki's Place in Khuine, Bangladesh, which supports girls whose mothers have been trapped in sex trafficking, alongside other community development projects for the vulnerable. Learn more or donate