Staff
Suzanne Brown
Executive Director
View BioSuzanne Brown
Suzanne Brown has been married to Rex since 1989 and they have 7 children and 8 grandchildren. They have been homeschooling since 1995 graduating their youngest in 2022. They live on a small farm in the upstate of SC. Suzanne has an Elementary Education degree, Early Childhood degree and a minor in Special Education from Furman University and taught 3 years in the public school setting until their children were born. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Upstate Homeschool Co-op. UHC began in the Brown home in 1997 with 19 students. She serves on the state SC Home Educators Association board, Senator Tim Scott’s state Education Advisory committee and State Education Superintendent Weaver’s Transition Advisory committee as well. Her passions include working with emerging young leaders, helping families make educational choices work effectively for their children, and being outside on her farm or in the woods.
Beth Martin
High School Program Director (GVL & SPT)
View BioBeth Martin
Beth Martin came to UHC in 2023 after serving as the High School Director at SCAIHS for over 7 years. She has served on multiple local and state boards and committees related to homeschooling and education, and currently serves on the SCHEA board. Beth and her husband homeschooled their 3 children for 17 years, and Beth taught math in a public school prior to that. She has a Bachelors of Science in Math Education degree from Ohio University.
Karla Partin
Middle School Program Director (GVL & SPT)
View BioKarla Partin
Karla and her husband Rick have been married for 32 years and together have four children. The Partins have been part of the UHC community for 19 years. Karla earned degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Meredith College, in Raleigh, NC, and she taught public school in NC. At UHC she taught kindergarten for three years, Latin for seven years, and middle school writing for eleven years. In the fall of 2015, Karla became the middle school director at UHC. In addition to her love of teaching, Karla enjoys encouraging fellow homeschoolers, Bible study, cooking, reading, singing, the ocean, coffee, and especially taking care of her fun loving family.
Abby Williams
Elementary Program Director & GVL Lower Elementary Director
View BioAbby Williams
Abby has been part of UHC since it's inception. First as a student, now as a staff member! Abby graduated from Anderson University with degrees and certifications in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education. She taught in both public and private school settings before having children.
Angela Springsteen
GVL & SPT Operations Director & Grace Campus Manager
View BioAngela Springsteen
Angela has been married to her husband, Greg, for 29 years. They have been homeschooling for 22 years and have been a part of UHC for 12 years. Five of their children have graduated from UHC and the last two are currently in the high school program here. Angela has a degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology from Liberty University. Since being at UHC, Angela has served in various roles including Assistant to the Director and most recently Campus Manager. Angela loves spending time with her family and vacationing at the beach.
Jenn Forino
High School Assistant Director (GVL & SPT)
View BioJenn Forino
Mrs. Jenn Forino has 15 years of experience teaching math and supervising instructors at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Online Programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a masters degree in Biomedical Engineering, both from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Because of her love for teaching high school math, you will often find Mrs. Forino in one of our classrooms, teaching highschool students. Mrs. Forino is a member of Redeeming Grace Church in Simpsonville and has 3 children who attend UHC since 2021.
Whitney McKee
Assistant Middle School Director
View BioWhitney McKee
Whitney graduated from Erskine College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught fourth grade for 13 years in Greenville County and then went on to teach preschool for 2 years at Covenant Christian Academy. Whitney has been a part of UHC since 2019 when she first began homeschooling her daughter who was in first grade at the time. A year later she came on staff as a 4th and 5th grade history teacher and in 2023 began her current role as the Assistant Middle School Director.
Kathryn Ferguson
GVL Upper Elementary Director
View BioKathryn Ferguson
Kathryn has been married to Jim since 2007. She taught 2nd grade at a public school in Columbia, SC before moving back to her hometown of Greenville. Kathryn joined UHC in 2020 when she began to homeschool her two boys. For two years, Kathryn enjoyed teaching 3rd-5th grade science before moving into the role of upper elementary director. Kathryn graduated from Clemson in 2007 with an education degree.
Jennifer Lee
SPT Upper Elementary Director & Instructional Coach
View BioJennifer Lee
Jennifer joined the UHC community in 2018. She has served as an Elementary Director since 2019 and has enjoyed being a director at both the Greenville and Spartanburg campuses. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience working with teachers and children in an educational setting. She obtained a Master of Science in Education from California State University, Fullerton in 2010 and holds a current Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Joanne Lehman
SPT Lower Elementary Director
View BioJoanne Lehman
Joanne has enjoyed being a member of UHC since 2020 when her oldest daughter began homeschooling in the 2nd grade. She has served alongside the Spartanburg administration team since 2022. Joanne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Clemson University. Since graduating she has taught in public and private schools, and her greatest joy has been being able to teach her own children.
Dara Greeley
GVL Middle School Learning Differences Administrator
View BioDara Greeley
Dara is from Greenville, SC. She has been married to her husband, Josh, for 24 years and they have 4 children together. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and in Special Education. Dara has taught in both the elementary and middle school settings for Greenville County working with students with disabilities as well as teaching English and math. Dara loves middle school aged students and feels very grateful to be able to serve the middle school families at UHC. She has taught Literature Discussion and Analysis for 7th and 8th grade at UHC for one year and is looking forward to continuing with Lit/Dis as well as working with the middle school Learning Differences Program.
Pam Erwin
GVL Elementary Learning Differences Administrator
View BioPam Erwin
Pam has a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and a Master’s degree in Education with emphasis on LD/OG. She has teaching experience with Speech and Language Pathology articulation and language remediation to elementary, middle, and high school students. She was formerly the LD teacher and Director of Learning Difference Program at Shannon Forest Christian.
Sami Schroeder
SPT Learning Differences Administrator
View BioSami Schroeder
Sami is joining the Upstate Co-op this year as the Learning Differences Director in Spartanburg. Sami has been in education for the past 20 years in both public and Montessori settings. Sami has taught English, history, at-risk youth groups, co-taught in classes for English Language Learners and Special Education, and most recently has served in the role of Student Services Coordinator at a private school in Simpsonville. Sami graduated with a Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and obtained a Master's in Science from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
Aaron Cooper
GVL Instructional Coach
View BioAaron Cooper
Aaron started teaching at UHC in 2015. After some time away with the birth of her second daughter, she returned to teaching in our middle school. Aaron has been excited to add partnering with administrators and teachers in an academic development role beginning 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in Elementary Education and her Master Teacher graduate degree from Regent University.
Stacey Banks
MS/HS Administrative Support & Operations Assistant
View BioStacey Banks
Stacey has been a part of UHC since 2007 and has graduated 2 children from UHC and her last graduates this year, 2023. Stacey has served as the MS/HS administrative assistant since 2020. In the fall she will also be the project manager. Before stepping out of the work force to homeschool her children, Stacey worked as an RN for 15 years.
Jessica Frank
GVL Parent Assistant Coordinator & Hampton Heights Campus Manager
View BioJessica Frank
Jessica has enjoyed being part of UHC since 2016 when her son began K5. She has served as the Parent Assistant Service Hours Coordinator since 2019, and in 2023 Jessica also began serving as the Campus Manager at the Hampton Heights campus. Jessica attended Bob Jones University before joining a local non-profit as an autism therapist and leading their insurance billing initiative. She enjoys interacting with our families and students and strives to give them the best experience at UHC.
Tara Dilella
SPT Parent Assistant Coordinator
View BioTara Dilella
Tara and her family have been a part of UHC since 2020. At UNC Charlotte, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art. Tara is originally from Pennsylvania but prefers the mild winters in South Carolina. When she isn't busy coordinating parent assistants, Tara enjoys flipping furniture and trying new restaurants — not at the same time.
Kirin Mitchell
SPT Campus Manager
View BioKirin Mitchell
Kirin is the blessed mother of thirteen children, most of whom have enjoyed UHC as part of their homeschooling journey through the years. Kirin graduated from Clemson and enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities. She enjoys coffee, conversation, and community and enjoys the privilege of serving with UHC.
Julie Capps
Registrar
View BioJulie Capps
Julie and her family have loved being part of the UHC community since January of 2021. During the spring of that year, she began serving in the role of Registrar, and enjoys the opportunity to serve our families in that way. She also began helping the finance team in 2023. Julie received her undergraduate degree from North Greenville University, and Masters from Liberty University.
Allison Woodworth
Financial Administrator
View BioAllison Woodworth
Allison has enjoyed being part of Upstate Homeschool Co-op since 2020. She has home-schooled her three boys since 2017. She has served in the Financial Administrator role since 2022. Allison attended Limestone College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Carmen Farnham
Accounts Receivable Coordinator
View BioCarmen Farnham
Carmen enjoys the community found after joining the co-op in August 2018 when her oldest began 2nd grade. She currently serves as our Accounts Receivables Coordinator, which she started in 2019. Carmen graduated from North Greenville University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Accounting and worked as a Systems Accountant for the US Department of Treasury. She and her family are living their best farm life raising chickens and watching cows eat grass.
Emily Hoffman
Financial Coordinator
View BioEmily Hoffman
Emily and her family became a part of the co-op in 2020, when her oldest started homeschooling in 2nd grade. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts from North Greenville University and has experience in non-profit accounting. She joined the UHC Finance team in 2023.
Melissa Sicko
Human Resources
View BioMelissa Sicko
Melissa has enjoyed being part of the co-op since 2010 when her first daughter began homeschooling in K4. She has served in the HR role since 2019. Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Science at Bob Jones University and obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from Clemson University.
Angela Huber
Human Resources Coordinator
View BioAngela Huber
Angela began her homeschool journey in 2020 during the pandemic, like so many others! However, once she saw all the benefits to homeschool like quality time, benefits for learning differences, learning at a child's own pace and making time to follow interests she knew homeschool was more than a short term plan. Angela graduated with a degree from the College of Business and Behavioral Science at Clemson University and worked in corporate business for 15 years before coming on staff at UHC as the Human Resources Coordinator in 2023.
Anastasia Pishchenko
Executive Administrative Assistant
View BioAnastasia Pishchenko
Anastasia has been a part of UHC since 2022. She and her husband Paul have homeschooled their 2 daughters for the past 10 years, first in CA and now in SC. She enjoys hiking, biking and other outdoor activities with her family and their dog Sadie. Anastasia is passionate about making sure the next generation is deeply rooted in the truth of God’s Word. She and her family are committed to Kids Ministry at a local church. Anastasia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration - Finance from San Francisco State University. She has experience in corporate finance as well as church administration.
Laura Erwin
Jupiter Ed Coordinator
View BioLaura Erwin
Laura homeschooled her own three sons from kindergarten through high school. She began teaching at UHC in 2006. After 17 years of teaching at the co-op, she is now concentrating on being the Administrator of Jupiter Ed, the online grading and messaging system we use at UHC. A native of San Jose, California, she is a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. She has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University.
Meredith Landis
Jupiter Ed Assistant
View BioMeredith Landis
Meredith began teaching at the co-op in 2017. She has taught Intro to Physics, Lego Lab, and Intro to Chemistry. She also serves as the Jupiter Ed Assistant since 2022. Meredith has a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Columbia College.
Jim Ferguson
IT Coordinator
View BioJim Ferguson
Jim Ferguson is the owner of Sandlapper Creative, a web design and development agency in Greenville. He is married to Kathryn and has two boys that attend UHC. Jim graduated from Clemson in 2006 with a major in Graphic Communications and a minor in Advertising.