ENGAGING CREATIVE MINDS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Product Marketing Vice President Blackbaud
Ann started in education as a Spanish teacher in Atlanta and Syracuse and, thirty-six years later, retired from Charleston County School District where she had worked in Evaluation and Research, Professional Development and Curriculum and Instruction. She was among the first staff members of Engaging Creative Minds and has served as a Curriculum Coach ever since. "My kids attended Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School and the Charleston County School of the Arts. I have seen the power of arts integration and love my work with classroom teachers and ECM Instructors to create truly engaging and unforgettable learning experiences." Ann also loves family time especially when it involves being outdoors together.
Art Powers has a degree in STEAM Education with a minor in Fun. He works every day to spark excitement for learning. He believes Arts Integration helps engage everyone's creative minds and inspires hope in all students to succeed. Art creates FUN and encourages children to Power-On their Imaginations! When not in schools, he can be found exploring the world and dancing to his favorite tunes.
Bailey graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in 2021. Moving to Charleston post grad, Bailey entered the Hotel industry of Charleston and has two years of experience in hospitality Operations and Sales. Bailey is looking forward to diving headfirst into the operations for an education nonprofit and is excited to learn! In her free time, Bailey enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, being on the beach and trying out restaurants around Charleston.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Administrator of Educational Programs Santee Cooper
Job Titles:
- President DeLoache Family Foundation
Chelsea Gold received her Bachelor of Arts in the History and Criticism of Art with a Minor in Museum Studies from Florida State University in 2009 and began working in the accounting offices of local non-profits after graduation. She spent the last 9 years working in Marketing and Operations for a private wealth management firm in Florida before moving to Charleston with her family in 2021. When not at work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President Dolphin Architects & Builders
Job Titles:
- Founder of Unity Real Estate Partners
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Berkeley County School District Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary Former President
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Interim Vice Chair Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Charleston County School District Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Superintendent Dorchester 2 School District
Eva is a graduate of Winthrop University, where she received a B.S. in marketing education and M.Ed. in secondary education. Her passion for travel and teaching abroad took her to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the information technology teacher/coordinator for an international school. She retired from West Ashley High School in Charleston, South Carolina as a business education teacher who taught entrepreneurship and other business and computer-related courses. She was recognized for her talents in the classroom and awarded the 2011 Charleston County Teacher of the Year. Her personal and professional travels have taken her to fifty countries and six continents including cultural exchange opportunities as a marketing and business educator in Moscow, Russia and Bornholm, Denmark. Eva brings an educational perspective to ECM and a wealth of experience to the organization as a certified YEScarolina entrepreneurship teacher of twelve years with a number of regional, state, and national student winners in the business plan competitions.
Gabbi Pace is in her third year of serving as the media specialist at Sedgefield Middle School in Berkeley County. She has a passion for media literacy, diversity, and connecting students to content across subject lines. She believes that the library should be the heart of the school and is uniquely positioned to reach students of every grade level and interest. She loves working with ECM because of their commitment and enthusiasm in fostering every student's love of STEAM concepts and curriculum, sometimes before they ever realize it! When she isn't managing the Sedgefield library or reading a great book, you can find her playing video games or spending time with one of her many pets.
Job Titles:
- Mayor City of Charleston ( Director at City of Charleston Mayor 's Office for Children, Youth and Families )
Job Titles:
- Mayor City of North Charleston ( Director at City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department )
Job Titles:
- Founder & President Mistretta Leadership Group
Kari Maastricht has a BS in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston with six years of experience teaching first grade at Charleston's premier arts integration school, Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary. Kari was the first Camp Director for ECM's Summer STEAM Institute in Clarendon School District One where she oversaw the hiring of artists and teachers as well as the management of all high school camp assistants. Since 2016 Kari oversaw the development and implementation of camp arts integration programs and services in Charleston, Clarendon, Barnwell-19 and Allendale Counties. As Director of Operations Kari oversees all aspects of ECM's operations to make sure we are working smarter and not harder!
Kendall has more than 30 years of experience in the education field teaching preK- adults and all ages between. Since 2016 Kendall has been a Curriculum Coach for ECM, which has allowed her to focus on helping to create engaging learning experiences for both students and teachers. In addition to supporting engaging educational practices, Kendall is committed to a healthy lifestyle, finding the good in every day, her family, and using a step stool to get things off of the top shelf.
Lauren Silver graduated from the College of Charleston in 2016 with degrees in Secondary Education and English. After college, she began teaching high school English in Berkeley County School District, where she stayed for 7 years. During that time, she received a Masters degree in Instructional Coaching through Clemon University. Fun fact - Lauren was a camp counselor with the ECM Summer STEAM Institute in 2016 and 2017! Lauren is very excited to return to ECM as Program Coordinator and is looking forward to being part of the team! When Lauren is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two adorable dogs (a lab-mix and a fluffy Eskimo).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer Vice President Regional Sales Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President Crystal - Barkley Corporation
Job Titles:
- High School Program Manager
Norma Brown has been on a mission to help young people become the best versions of themselves for over three decades. Whether experiencing her passion and witnessing her dedication in church or in the classroom, those who meet Mrs. Brown know they have an ally in achieving and realizing their goals and dreams. For 30 years, her vehicle to help her students maximize their potential has been by encouraging them to uncover their passions, and teaching entrepreneurship to turn those passions into a business. She continues to inspire young people with her commitment, dedication, and care for each individual she meets.
Job Titles:
- President - Accelerating Innovative Solutions & Services LLC Retired Senior Leader - Boeing SC Engineering Design Center
Robin Berlinsky is a self-proclaimed champion of the WOOHOO spirit and cheerleader for high-quality education. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Education at The College of Charleston where she teaches future early childhood educators, the creator of The Learning Ring, a 180-day system that connects the afterschool space to the classroom and she hosts a weekly podcast, Energy Matters: In the Classroom with Robin Berlinsky. In her free time she loves to travel, read, and cook creative meals.
Robin Boston is an art educator with art in her heart! Robin taught middle and high school art for 35 years before retiring from Berkeley County Public Schools, coordinated Berkeley County's High School Gifted and Talented Art Program, and taught graduate and undergraduate art courses at Charleston Southern University. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Secondary Education and a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Art Education. Robin was a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, named Teacher of the Year three times, and District Teacher of the Year finalist for Berkeley County twice. Robin has a passion for teaching, creativity, social emotional learning, the environment, and arts integration. She has experience serving the art and education community through the South Carolina Art Education Association, STEAM Forum, School Improvement Committee, among other groups. She has led many professional development workshops and state art conferences for teachers and students.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fellow in the Arts Management Program, College of Charleston
Job Titles:
- Director of Out - of - School Programs
Starr Jordan is passionate about STEAM education and providing all children with engaging learning opportunities through hands-on exploration. During her 20 years in informal education, Starr's many experiences include running summer camps, creating and implementing STEM/STEAM curricula and programming, providing individualized coaching and professional development for teachers, and building partnerships to support preK-12th grade students and educators. She has a M.Ed. in Science and Math Education and a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Sciences (and loves to collect rocks and minerals!). When Starr is not at the hockey rink with her sons and husband, you can find her building with LEGO, sewing, knitting, or playing with her two dogs.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Find My Path
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- VP of Product and Design, Ampla Financial Technologies