Directory

A Charleston native, Franci Bell graduated from Cornell University in 1998 with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies. She moved to Knoxville, TN to attend graduate school at the University of Tennessee in Child Development. Two years later she began law school, and graduated with a JD from the University of South Carolina in 2004. She joined The Cooper School Community in 2008. Franci taught grades 1-5 at The Cooper School, and spent many years in administration, before becoming Head of School in 2016. Franci recently earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

Kelly was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. On her first visit to Charleston, she fell in love with the city and decided to attend The College of Charleston. Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from The College of Charleston and she earned her Master of Arts degree in Literacy Education from The Citadel. Kelly is a Nationally Board-Certified Educator, is a certified Reading Consultant, and has completed eighty hours of Orton-Gillingham Associate Level Training. During her free time, Kelly enjoys going to the beach with her husband and three children.

Anne Wil has been with The Cooper School since 2009, and a TCS administrator since 2015. Prior to moving into her role as the Director of Admissions, she taught Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th Grades at TCS. Originally a native of Virginia, Anne Wil received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Piedmont College in Athens, GA.  When not at The Cooper School, Anne Wil enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two daughters, and her dog, June.

Riley is elated to be moving into her new role as the Dean of Students for the 2022-23 school year. After graduating College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, she began her career as a High School Math Teacher at a local charter school. She has been teaching for five years and coaching cheer for nine years. Riley is energetic and fun – she prefers her classroom to be buzzing with joyful collaboration and laughter. When not at The Cooper School, she can be found riding bikes, at the beach, and exploring new restaurants with her partner Sarah, and their 5 year old daughter.

A native to South Carolina, Kayla graduated from Ithaca College in 2014 with a BA in Philosophy and a BA in Anthropology. While earning her degrees, her strong interest in the humanities led her to a variety of internships with music, art, history, and science museums and non-profits. During this time, she gained valuable hands-on experience in marketing and communications, exhibition design and maintenance, event planning, visitor services, collections management, administration, and fundraising. 

For Kayla, a career in fundraising became the most meaningful way she could positively change and impact the common or social good within her local community.

After graduation, she began her career as a non-profit professional at The History Center in Tompkins County as the Visitor and Administrative Services Manager. She most recently spent four years as the Senior Development Associate at the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, and served on the Board of Directors of Ohm Radio, both located in Charleston, SC. 

When not at The Cooper School, Kayla loves spending time with her dog, and playing her many instruments.

Heath joined The Cooper School administrative team in 2020. A native of North Carolina, Heath earned a BA from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MUSC in Charleston. Heath has lived and worked in both Argentina and Wyoming but moved back to the Southeast to attend nursing school and be closer to family. During her free time, Heath enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and going to the beach with her husband Boone and two children, James and Locke. 

Marsha enters her ninth year at The Cooper School. Raised in Charleston, Marsha received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from The College of Charleston. Marsha has taught for fifteen years in both the public and private schools. She delights in fostering a warm classroom environment where children can thrive and express themselves comfortably. Marsha enjoys hula hooping, crafting, relaxing at the beach, and finding treasures at flea markets.

Ryan is excited to be returning for his fifth year at The Cooper School. He is a Charleston native and graduate of the College of Charleston. He is a former theatre instructor and children’s theatre director and a member of Charleston Stage’s Acting Ensemble. Ryan can typically be found on stage when not in the classroom.

After growing up on Hilton Head Island, Sabina decided to move to Charleston to pursue her passion for education at the College of Charleston where she received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Sabina has experience teaching pre-kindergarten through third grade. Sabina enjoys making jewelry in her free time as well as painting, drawing, fitness, spending time with her family and friends, and going to the beach.

Originally from Seattle, Eliza moved to Charleston with her family in 2010. She attended Washington & Lee University and earned a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Childhood Development. After college, she returned to Charleston and taught preschool while earning a M.A.T in Early Childhood Education at the College of Charleston. On weekends she enjoys taking her dogs on adventures, and spending time with her twin sister. Eliza is thrilled to be joining The Cooper School this year as part of the first-grade team!

Josie grew up in New Jersey, always eager to explore new places and experience new opportunities. She has received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Roanoke College in Virginia. During her time there she had the opportunity to work with a 5th grade class. She is very excited for the beginning of the school year at The Cooper School and to meet all the students in the 2nd grade.

Reneé is so happy to be continuing at The Cooper School as the Third Grade teacher! She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston and moved to Charleston 5 years ago from Columbus, Ohio. She has a 3-year-old daughter, Charlotte Jane, who amazes her every day. She loves visiting the beach and cooking with her family.

Aquavius is originally from Laurens, South Carolina and received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Charleston Southern University. He previously worked with WINGS for kids in the Charleston community for three years. During his free time, Aquavius enjoys bowling, fitness and spending time with his family, friends, and his dog Bentley.

Julisa is thrilled to be returning for her second year at The Cooper School as the 4th Grade Teacher. Born and raised in Charleston, Julisa has recently graduated from Columbia College (S.C.) with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Psychology. While in Columbia, Julisa spent over two years working at Big Blue Marble Academy as a Spanish Immersion teacher for Pre-K through 5th grade. Julisa enjoys going out for runs, taking trips to Barnes & Noble, spending time with her four younger sisters, and taming her three iguanas.

Originally from Texas, Chayce graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in English. Chayce grew up watching her mother as a teacher and knew she wanted to work with children from a young age. Before moving to Charleston, Chayce worked in elementary schools in the Burleson Independent School District. She will begin pursuing her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science in the evenings in the Spring. She also has a 5-year-old bearded dragon named Salvador Dali, her best friend.

Lindsay is excited for her third year at The Cooper School, where she can inspire the next generation to learn how to learn and challenge them to make a difference. She earned her B.S. and teaching credential at the University of Georgia, which led her to teach at a Montessori school and then a public middle school in Athens, Georgia. She went on to teach middle school science at a progressive private school using the Harkness Theory in Marin County, California. She has spent the past five years developing and implementing programs at the South Carolina Aquarium while working towards her M.Ed. in Science and Mathematics at the College of Charleston. When she is not teaching, she is exploring, hiking, and camping with her children Anders and Arden.

Kevin graduated from Bowling Green University with a major in Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA) Integrated Social Studies and a minor in History. He has spent the last four years teaching Social Studies to Grades 5-8 at River Oaks Middle School. Kevin places the utmost importance on talking with his students, learning about their lives outside the classroom, and switching up routines to keep engagement high. In 2019, Kevin was recognized as “Rookie Teacher of the Year.”

Brinlee recently graduated from Iowa State University, where she played competitive soccer. Brinlee has always enjoyed working with children, most recently at Woodward Academy. Some of her interests include reading, spending time with her two cats, crocheting, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors.

Temani is entering his second year at The Cooper School. Before joining The Cooper School family, Temani worked in the Afterschool program and loved the atmosphere and community immediately! He is originally from Summerville, SC and loves to fish, workout, and spend time with his dog, Luna. Temani is currently in his last year of earning his bachelors in Psychology at UAGC.

Donald “Noodle McDoodle” Whitley got his nickname while working at Camp Winnarainbow in the last century. He had just graduated from Reed College (where he studied Religion and Philosophy) and taught stilts, juggling, cooperative games, clowning, and theater at this famous circus arts camp. Noodle went on to teach preschool and tutor math, in Oregon. He moved to the Lowcountry with his wife Eden and they started a Swing dance band called The V-Tones of Charleston. Noodle is an avid ukulele enthusiast, a busy math tutor, and is very excited to be teaching music at the Cooper School this year.

Alton obtained a  Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Francis Marion University along with 2 years extended studies in piano pedagogy and voice from the University of South Carolina, musical theatre lyric interpretation at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting (NYC), private vocal technique training with Beth Roberts (dialectician coach at the Met), and private vocal coaching with David Brunetti (NYC). Alton has also studied pipe organ technique with Dr. Julia Harlow since 2016. Currently, he serves as music director/choir master at Charleston Presbyterian Church. In light of the pandemic, he continues to be an active member of the Actors Equity Association (the professional actors union)  and offers private coaching whenever requested. Alton served as the artistic director of the Centennial Station Theatre, a professional 250 seat theatre offering an “all musical” season, for nearly 5 years back in 2001-2006.  He has operated a studio for voice and piano in the Charleston area since 2007.  He has also served as the music instructor, choral technician, and guest artist director for a number of area middle schools.

Originally from New Jersey, Stacy made her way to beautiful Charleston, SC. She was a dancer and Pilates instructor and graduated with a BA in Psychology from Goucher College in Maryland. She received her Interdisciplinary 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training through Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, her Advanced 300 Hour Teacher Training through Asheville Yoga Center and her children’s yoga training through Grounded Kids. She studied mindfulness with Mindful Schools and continues to educate herself through a variety of other specialized trainings. Teaching in studios, homes, schools (and anywhere you can imagine) since 2009, Stacy now resides with her sweet husband, little girl and silly pup on James Island. She LOVES being a mama, and enjoys cooking, reading, writing, the beach, the mountains, music, travel and time with family and friends.

Paula is thrilled to be returning to The Cooper School as our Elementary and Middle School Spanish teacher. Paula is originally from Puerto Rico and relocated to Charleston when her husband was stationed at the Charleston Naval Base. She enjoys watching movies and listening to music. Paula is a fun and energetic addition to our team!