T H E TEAM

Eva Stratos, Founder
and
Kodi, My Puppy

Bethany Young

Laura Graham

 Eva Stratos
Most of my school teaching career has been in the Belle Hall Elementary SAIL Program. I also worked in administration and created summer and after-school programs.
I have been honored to win the following awards:

• National Get Out Spok'n Award for work with my students, The Bike Bunch, to get bike paths on the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.
• SC Environmental Eagles’ Award for two consecutive years,
• Sewee's Environmental Teacher of the Year Award,
• LYA's Idealist Award,
• Belle Hall's Teacher of the Year

In addition, I:

• Was Featured in, Lowcountry Living's, "Exceptional Educators",
• Coached for First LEGO League, winning at Regional Competition 6 times to go State Level Competition, Team won Dorchester Champion Award 2019,
• Coached and Judged for Odyssey of the Mind Program,
• Wrote over $100,000 in school grants,
• Wrote Integrated STEM Curriculum,
• ​Served as Student Council Adviser,
• Have my National Boards, and
• Have a passion for learning and teaching.

Opening Lowcountry Gifted Minds has been a dream of mine for many years.  I am excited to bring the very best classes to the children to the Lowcountry.
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Bethany Young
As a teacher and mother of three, I have been actively involved with all aspects of education.
Education and Experience:

• B.A. Elementary Education- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Certified Educator in SC, NC, and GA
• 18 years of professional and volunteer experience in public and private preschool, elementary, middle, and high school settings

​I have a passion for nurturing the potential of young minds by challenging students in a hands-on investigative environment.
Fostering a child’s curiosity and creativity is a privilege and honor that I hold dear as a K-2 teacher. I enjoy helping children learn to think outside the box and grow their inquiring minds while having fun! 

Beth is our Pre-School Expert. She brings exciting lessons to our preschools each week.

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Laura Graham
I am so excited to be a part of Lowcountry Gifted Minds!  I grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and graduated from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I have a:

• B.A. in History,
• M. ED. from Converse,
• M.A. in History from The Citadel, and
• National Board Certification. 

I have taught in:

• Spartanburg County,
• Middle Eastern Schools,
• Buist Academy,
• Other CCSD schools, with most years teaching in the Gifted Program.

My specialties are:

• Hands-on Learning
• Working with bright children
• Writing curriculum
• Always looking for new learning opportunities to meet the needs of my students. 

In addition, I have been the administrator for many summer programs.  I am presently the SAIL teacher at Mt. Pleasant Academy. I love to read, travel, teach, and learn.  

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​​​Jenny Herbut
 
I’m currently a SAIL teacher at Belle Hall Elementary and just finished my 6th year in education. Prior to moving to Charleston in 2018, I lived in the Washington, DC area where I worked with both public and private school gifted and talented programs.
 
Education and Experience:

• B.S. Environmental Science - University of Virginia
• M.T. Elementary Education - University of Virginia
• K-6 Certification
• Gifted and Talented Endorsement
• Earth and Space Sciences Endorsement
• Lead Kindergarten Teacher - The Feynman School, Bethesda, MD
• FUTURA (GT Program) teacher - Loudoun County Public Schools, VA
• SAIL teacher - Belle Hall

My background in science has helped shape who I am as an educator and I hope to instill the same curiosity about the natural world in my students. I’m a STEM advocate and always looking for ways to challenge my students’ thinking and creativity. I’m excited to bring my enthusiasm to Lowcountry Gifted Minds!
 
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                             ​ 
​Darby Rouse
    
​As a mother of four and an educator for the past twenty years, I have a passion for teaching and inspiring young minds to grow, explore, and be challenged.  I am currently a 5th grade teacher at Belle Hall Elementary and have experience teaching students of all ages, from Pre-K through 6th grade.   In addition to teaching, I love spending time with my family, creating new recipes, reading, going to the beach, fossil hunting, and boxing workouts.  I am so excited to be a part of Low Country Gifted Minds!

Education and Experience:

• BS in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development from the College of Charleston.
• Pre-K through 6th certification.
• Worked for Charleston County School District as an Interventionist providing support for struggling students, as well as providing enrichment to gifted and talented students.
• Orton Gillingham Associates Level trained.
• Experience working as an Academic Therapist providing multi sensory, hands on, prescriptive lessons for students in reading, writing, and spelling.  
• Founded and directed an academic support program in a local private school that provided support for students in kindergarten through high school.
• Teaching experience in grades Pre-K through 6th in both public and private schools,  providing daily enriching, challenging instruction for students of every level and ability.  

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I am so excited to share my love of teaching and creativity with Low Country Gifted Minds!  I love working with children and empowering them to be the uniquely gifted, individual learners they were created to be!  I believe all children excel through hands on, engaging, multi sensory learning experiences.  I am excited to bring my love and passion for teaching to Low Country Minds! 

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Ariana
STEAM Assistant

School of the Arts
Visual Arts

Ariana loves animals, science, magic, and art.
Ariana helps with many classes. Children love when she arrives at class.

Her favorite STEAM activity is working with Dry Ice to make magic!

Maddie
STEAM Assistant

Wando High School


Maddie loves sports and art.

Maddie is a great help at our Camps. Children are all smiles when they see her.

Her favorite STEAM activity is making gum!  
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