Staff
Leslie Atkinson, Director of IT
Leslie Atkinson has been in the telecommunications industry for the past twenty-five years. He was born and raised in York County SC. Leslie graduated with honors from Liberty University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Data Networking, and Information Systems. He is passionate about technology and ensuring that technology promotes learning for everyone that uses technology.
Leslie and his wife, Amanda, live in Savannah GA with their two children, Ollie and Parker who both attend Cross Schools. Leslie values the importance of Christian education and is excited about ensuring the students at Cross Schools have the best technology in their hands to support their learning experience and growth as individuals.
His favorite verse is- "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
Contact Mr. Atkinson at l.atkinson@crossschools.org.
Luis Barrero, Facilities Manager
Luis Barrero has been the Facilities Manager at Cross Schools for more than ten years. He is originally from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and moved to the United States in 1997. Mr. Luis has a degree in Electronics, and he has worked in the maintenance field for many years. Prior to working for Cross Schools, he worked for Sun City and Seaside Village in the Maintenance Department. For eighteen years, Mr. Luis shared his love for children with his students at Island Gymnastics, which he co-owned. He and his wife, Claudia, have two children and three grandchildren.
Robyn Beckwith, Registrar
Robyn Beckwith is originally from California but has lived in the Low Country since 2015 with her husband and two children. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from San Francisco State University and has over five years of experience working in education. After taking some time off to be home with her small children, Mrs. Beckwith was eager to get back to work and is now thrilled to be a part of the Cross Schools family. Mrs. Beckwith feels blessed to work where her children attend school and is excited to watch them grow spiritually and academically while being guided by their faith. Contact Mrs. Beckwith at r.beckwith@crossschools.org.
Wendy Cummings R.N, B.S.N, Nurse
Wendy Cummings graduated from Radford University’s School of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Mrs. Cummings comes to Cross Schools after working at a private Christian K-12 school since 2007. Prior to working as a school nurse, she worked as an Emergency/Trauma nurse in a Level One Trauma Center in Virginia. As a mom of five, she was able to enjoy spending a few years being a stay-at-home mom as well as volunteering at her children’s school, church, and in her community. Emergency Nursing was her first love but she quickly fell in love with school nursing after her children were in school. Mrs. Cumming shares, “I love working with all ages of children, especially in a Christian school environment where I not only nurture their physical and emotional needs but can also contribute to their spiritual growth as well. It is such a privilege to partner with families.”
Mrs. Cummings and her husband, Scott, who is a physician in the community, moved to Hilton Head Island from Virginia in 2004 after vacationing there for years. They made the move over the bridges to Bluffton two years ago and fulfilled their dream of living on the May River. They love boating, paddle boarding, fishing, and all things family! Mrs. Cummings coached Cross Country at her previous school, building and leading her team to Second in the Region. She is looking forward to continuing coaching Cross Country within Stingray Nation! Mrs. Cummings is grateful to be a new member of the Cross Family and feels blessed that God orchestrated the path that brought her here! Contact Mrs. Cummings at w.cummings@CrossSchools.org.
Shawn Esworthy, Facilities Assistant
Shawn Esworthy graduated from Mars Hill College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and Sports Management. He joined Cross Schools in October 2018 as an Afterschool/Summer Camp Coordinator and Facilities Assistant. He had previously held the position of Sports/Member Services Coordinator for more than four years at the Boys and Girls Club. Coach Shawn is excited to embark on his next role at Cross Schools as he teaches Preschool PE.
Coach Shawn believes that recreation and sports activities are a key part of any successful school program, and are a great way for children to release pent up energy during the school day and after school. He is passionate about the role he has here at Cross Schools and looks forward to building a successful Preschool PE program for our students.
Coach Shawn and his wife have a daughter, Addison, and a son, Isaiah, who both attend Cross Schools. He grew up in Ridgeland, South Carolina, but relocated to Bluffton after graduating college. Coach Shawn enjoys family time, watching sports, staying active, and spending time at the beach. Contact Coach Shawn at s.esworthy@crossschools.org.
Jeannie Hall, Receptionist
Jeannie Hall holds a BSBA degree in Hospitality Management from Appalachian State University. This degree, and many dreams, brought her to the Low Country to start her career. She is thrilled and grateful that this journey, working in hospitality, business, and churches, has now brought her to Cross Schools.
Jeannie’s son, Reeves, started at Cross Schools in Middle School in 2017. He will be part of the first graduating class from Cross High School! Her love for the school grew as she interacted with the administration and teachers through the years her son has been here. The roots of Christianity that Cross Schools instills in the students that pass through its doors is the motivating factor that led her to seek a position here.
Jeannie, her husband Kurt, and Reeves, all love living in Bluffton. They are active members of Central Church on Hilton Head Island. In her spare time, Jeannie enjoys playing tennis, taking long walks, and working out.
Contact Mrs. Hall at j.hall@crossschools.org.
Kelly Kimball, Student Activities Director
Kelly Kimball, originally from England, moved to the states initially as part of an internship back in 2005 and fell in love with the Lowcountry. She graduated from Sheffield University in England with a Bachelor's Degree and was an avid Netballer. Kelly joined Cross last year as a Teaching Assistant in the TK program, her daughter Pippa, has been a student since 2018 and will be entering Kindergarten.
Kelly believes that watching children learn & develop is inspirational and being a part of that growth is extremely rewarding. She is very excited to join the administrative team and to build profound relationships with children, parents & staff members in a positive and safe environment. She comes to Cross with 15+ years of experience in event planning, relationship building, and leadership skills and cannot wait to get started – Go Stingrays! Contact Mrs. Kimball at k.kimball@crossschools.org.
Coach Cleo Lane, Campus Security Manager
Coach Cleo has an extensive background as both an educator and coach, having worked for both private Christian schools and public schools as large as 6A. He has been at the helm of several teams that have earned and repeated city and regional titles. In addition, he spent over 20 years serving in the United States Navy. Coach Cleo makes the move to the Bluffton area from Grenada, Mississippi.
Coach Cleo and his wife, Linda, have four kids and eight grandchildren. Linda has also spent most of her career in education and holds a Doctorate in Theology.
He’s excited about the opportunity to build an elite football program not only in the Lowcountry but in the state of South Carolina. Contact c.lane@crossschools.org.
Christy Murphy, Accountant
Contact Mrs. Murphy at c.murphy@crossschools.org.
Kristi Wheat, Kindergarten - High School Office Manager/Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Originally from Plano, Texas, Mrs. Wheat moved to Bluffton in 2005. She married her husband, Aaron, in 2006 in Bluffton and have two children.
Past experiences for Mrs. Wheat include years of working in marketing/advertising for Fortune 500 homebuilders and various executive administrative roles for local government.
Values in the Christian faith run deep throughout her family. These values were modeled for her as a young child and are why she chose not only to send her children to Cross Schools in preschool, but also to accept the position of Office Manager when it became vacant. Her favorite Bible verse is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6. Contact Mrs. Wheat at k.wheat@crossschools.org.