Carolina School for Inquiry

Mandy N. Purvis, RN
School Nurse

Mandy Purvis is a recent graduate of Midlands Technical College with an associates degree in Nursing. Nurse Purvis has plans to continue her education & become a certified pediatric nurse. Nurse Purvis is excited to be at CSI and looks forward to working you to keep our children happy and healthy.

Sheryl has Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Columbia International University and is certified in both early childhood and elementary education. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from New College of Florida where she studied both gifted education and multiple intelligences. Between her degrees she enjoyed working at the Lexington County Museum and volunteering as a Cub Scout Den Leader and Cubmaster. She has two sons: Evan, who is a Junior at Clemson University, and Sean, who is a Junior at Dutch Fork High School. Sheryl is very excited about spending another year at CSI and looks forward to meeting her students and their families

Victoria Dixon-Mokeba has twelve years of experience as a teacher and learner in the field of inquiry based instruction. She is entering her third year as Lead Teacher of Carolina School for Inquiry where she serves as the Head of School and also as the school’s instructional leader. She is Nationally Board Certified in Early Childhood Education and has a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Victoria is passionate about creating and sustaining an environment that fosters meaningful learning experiences for all children!

Chris Richards has a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and has been an upper elementary teacher at CSI since 2006. This experience has given Chris ample training in inquiry based instruction as well as multiage education. He also has a BA in psychology from the University of South Carolina and is pursuing an M.Ed in Educational Administration. Chris spends his free time with his beautiful wife Rachel playing with their dog, a Boykin Spaniel named “King”. Chris enjoys serving at his church, working in his yard, hunting deer and turkey, water skiing, Gamecock sports and reading.

Damon Hodges has 12 years of teaching experience in public schools of South Carolina. He has taught third and fifth grades in Richland School District One. Damon obtained a Master of Arts degree in teaching from South Carolina State University in Elementary Education and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science History/Pre-law from Morris College located in Sumter, SC. He has worked and has overseen various literacy programs and has taught numerous students in after school and summer programs. Damon and his wife Princess have two daughters Heiress and Countess. Damon joined the CSI family in 2008 and looks forward to working with students and their families. Damon’s motto: I see myself in everyone on my students…the expectations are high!

Lindsey White received her BA in English and MAT in Learning
Disabilities from the University of South Carolina. She has been
a resource teacher in Richland District One for fourteen years and has taught students in kindergarten through 5th grade at AC Moore and Meadowfield Elementary. Her teaching experience and training include co-teaching and the inclusion model. She has
also taught in several multiage settings through the Extended
School Year program. Lindsey looks forward to another exciting year with the Carolina School for Inquiry.

Tanya Wilson has over ten years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of SC State University. She is certified by the SC Department of Education in speech therapy, has the Clinical Certificate of Competence through the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and license from the SC Board of Examiner’s. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, SC Speech and Hearing Association and ASHA. Tanya has previously worked in two school districts, serving as the speech therapist, self-contained teacher, and resource teacher. She has had experience working with various special education populations. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in speech pathology.

Deirdre Murph has 26 years of teaching experience in kindergarten. She has also taught first through fifth grade in after-school programs and multi-grade levels in summer school. She is a National Board Certified teacher with 10 years of experience as a facilitator and a trainer helping her peers receive their National Certification as well. She has a Masters of Education degree from Southern Wesleyan University and a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Deirdre is delighted to begin a new and exciting journey with the students and parents at the CSI.

Isabell Willis recently obtained a bachelor’s in Social Work from Columbia College where she gained skills and experience in working with children from infancy to age 13. Isabell developed essential group facilitating and individual counseling skills through her recent internships at Alcorn Middle School and The Nurturing Center. Isabell is a reliable and ethical social worker with the ability to interact with and counsel at risk youths, collaborate on multidisciplinary teams, and a proven ability to build and maintain positive and professional relationships with clients and school personnel. Isabell is planning to further her education by attending the University of South Carolina for a Masters Social Work. Isabell is excited about the opportunity to work with the bright students at CSI.

Christen Sistare has a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Francis Marion University where she studied Theatre Arts and English. After obtaining her undergraduate degree Christen taught Fine Arts & English at the high school level. While earning her masters degree she taught at a tutoring center where she worked with small groups of multi-aged students. Christen joined the CSI family in 2010 and cannot wait to meet her students and their families!

Erica Spradley recently completed her second year of teaching here at Carolina School for Inquiry. She joined the Upper Elementary team as the 6th Grade Teacher in 2009 and was able to design the sixth grade curriculum. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University. Erica co-taught with Mrs. Dixon-Mokeba during a 5-week Summer Academy Program at CSI. This experience allowed Erica to experience and deliver inquiry based instruction in a multiage setting (grades K-5). Erica is working to obtain her Masters Degree in Divergent Learning at Columbia College.