Charles T. Evans, Interim Head of School

Charles T. Evans has been leading and advising Christian schools since 1997.  A native of Washington, D.C., Chuck led academically accomplished Christian schools as a full-time head in Roanoke, Virginia and Austin, Texas. Since 2006, Chuck has provided strategic advice to Christian schools, founding BetterSchoolsLLC in 2011.  He has served in interim leadership capacities for ten independent and parochial schools since 2009.  Chuck’s work prioritizes community engagement, faculty development, collaborative team-building, strategic and financial planning, and school board proficiency.  In addition to his interim leadership and consulting work, Chuck also teaches in the Vanderbilt University/Peabody College graduate program for independent school leadership.  He and his wife Julie live in Austin near their children and grandchildren (pictures available on request!).  Over the years, Julie and Chuck have been involved in music and teaching ministries in their local church.

Contact Mr. Evans at c.evans@CrossSchools.org.  

 

 

Joseph Almeida, Lower School Principal

  Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Development and Learning with teacher licensure from Maryville College and both a Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership and an Educational Leadership Certificate from Buffalo State SUNY. He is nearing completion of his EdS Doctorate in Educational Leadership through Gordon College. Mr. Almeida has experience as a teacher, coach, and administrator in Tennessee, Brazil, Georgia, and South Carolina. He has worked in public schools, international schools, and private Christian schools over his seventeen-year career in education.

He, his wife, Kathleen, and their five children reside in Bluffton. They are members of Lowcountry Community Church and they both coach at CrossFit843.  Mr. Almeida loves to be outside playing with his kids, throwing a frisbee on the beach, or doing CrossFit. 

John 15:12 is a verse he tries to live by every day: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Contact Mr. Almeida at j.almeida@crossschools.org  

Stacie Greene, Middle/Upper School Principal and Chief Academic Officer, K-11

Ms. Greene previously taught Honors English 2 and the AP/Dual-Enrollment Teacher Cadet class at May River High School in Bluffton. She also served as a Teacher Mentor and Evaluator. Ms. Greene is in her sixteenth year of education in which she has served grades 6-12 as a teacher, Literacy Instructional Coach, English Department Chair and Team Leader. Ms. Greene is highly-qualified in Secondary English Education with a Bachelor of Arts in English from The University of Georgia (‘01) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Piedmont College (‘04).

Previously, she taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English in her hometown of Gainesville, Georgia, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina and at Bluffton’s H.E. McCracken Middle School. In her ten years at H.E. McCracken Middle School, she also served as Literacy Instructional Coach, English Department Chair, Team Leader, Teacher Mentor, ADEPT/SAFE-T Evaluator, and the School Literary & Art Magazine Advisor/Editor.  In addition, Ms. Greene has served as an editor for NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and has presented at district, state, and national educational conferences.

Aside from her professional accomplishments, Ms. Greene feels “Being an educator has been one of the greatest honors in my life. As an educator, my hope has always been to empower students with finding his or her authentic voice so they can affect change in the broken systems they see around them.” Ms. Greene is excited about her new journey with Cross Schools. “I am looking forward to utilizing all of my experiences as an educator, teacher, and most importantly, a Christian as we build onto the existing K-8 program and develop a plan to continue a purpose-filled education for all students that ultimately serves our Lord and Savior.”

Ms. Greene is excited about her role as Principal and the opportunities that Cross Schools offers students and the Bluffton community in regards to academics, emotional and social support and growth, and authentic mission opportunities. She is a member of Lowcountry Community Church. In addition, her son, Logan Greene, is a Cross Schools Middle School student.   Contact Ms. Greene at s.greene@crossschools.org.  

Susan Hackett, Early Education Division Head

Susan Hackett has been a child advocate for over 30 years, and has been the Director of the Early Education Division of Cross Schools since 2006.  Believing that the preschool years for young children have been proven to be significant in laying the foundation for future learning success, Mrs. Hackett believes in age-appropriate curriculum for all students.

Mrs. Hackett feels blessed having had her entire career centered on children, and embraces the opportunity to work in a Christian environment where the impact on children's lives shows both academically and spiritually.

After teaching in the elementary school system for several years, Mrs. Hackett and her husband opened their own school in Atlanta in 1984.  Following the sale of their business in 2004, she joined one of the largest childcare franchises in the country as a quality assurance specialist and continued in this role until moving to Bluffton to assume the responsibilities of Director of the Early Education Division of Cross Schools.

The Early Education Division of Cross Schools has grown from 70 students in 2006 to over 200 students today. Contact Mrs. Hackett at s.hackett@crossschools.org.

Suzie Hollings, Interim Athletic Director

Suzie Hollings holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Arts in Elementary Education, and a Gifted and Talented Certification both from the University of South Carolina.  

Mrs. Hollings was born in Anderson, Indiana. She graduated high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police Officer.  While serving, she developed a passion for teaching when she was selected to teach D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). As a D.A.R.E. Officer, she had the awesome responsibility of teaching elementary and middle school students drug awareness. Additionally, she served a three-year tour of duty as a recruiter. Upon completion of recruiting duty, she reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where she attended Drill Instructor School. While at Parris Island, she fulfilled the duties of a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, Series Gunnery Sergeant, and a Company First Sergeant at the Fourth Recruit Training Battalion.  

She retired from the Marine Corps to pursue a career as an Educator. She began her teaching career in 2014 and has served as a student teacher, a first-grade teacher, and a third-grade teacher at several Beaufort County schools.  

Coach Hollings and her husband, Robert, have been married for almost 15 years, and have been blessed with four wonderful daughters, Alaysia, Sydney, Savannah, and Ryan, all who attend Cross Schools.  

Mrs. Hollings's goal as an educator is to impact the lives of our youth in a positive and productive way. It is her belief that all children can learn and have a rewarding experience as students. With appropriate leadership and dedication, she hopes to impart the wisdom and knowledge she has obtained through years of her own experiences and education.  Contact Coach Hollings at s.hollings@CrossSchools.org.  

Brenda McPherson, Admissions Director

Brenda McPherson has an extensive history of serving in Christian schools since 1987. Having graduated from a Christian school herself, she deeply understands the power and value of a faith-based college-prep education, which was a transformative experience in her own life. She is confident that when you combine faith and strong academics with a loving and mentoring environment - children thrive! Brenda received her certification from Katharine Gibbs School and attended Washington Bible College.

Having served as an admissions director since 2005, her passion for quality Christian education is infectious. She is thrilled to continue to grow the Cross Schools family!

She and her husband, Josh, have recently returned to the Lowcountry from Massachusetts. Contact Mrs. McPherson at b.mcpherson@crossschools.org. She will be delighted to hear from you and tell you more about our exceptional school!
 

The Reverend Nathan Weaver, Director of Spiritual Life

Since the youngest of ages, Nathan has sensed a call to pastoral ministry. This journey led him to West Virginia Wesleyan College where he majored in Religious Studies, with an emphasis in Church Liturgy and Formation. Here he helped lead a campus ministry that transformed his understanding of God and what it means to lead others toward a relationship with Christ.

Upon graduation, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, where he received a Master of Divinity. Nathan is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from Asbury. He met his wife, Lauren while studying at Asbury Seminary. Lauren hails from Macon, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia and also earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary. She is currently finishing a degree in Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University and plans to be licensed as a Professional Counselor. Nathan and Lauren have a son, Ezra, who was born in 2020.

Nathan served as a United Methodist pastor in West Virginia for three years and as an adjunct professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College before following God’s call to the Anglican Church and The Church of the Cross. Nathan is a passionate preacher who seeks to use everyday examples to communicate the complexities of the Gospel. He is excited to pastor the students, families, and staff of Cross Schools. Nathan is glad to meet for pastoral counseling or spiritual direction.

Contact Rev. Weaver at n.weaver@crossschools.org

 

Kelly Williamson, Director of Development

Kelly Williamson holds a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University and a Masters of Science in Interior Design from Florida State University. In addition to architecture and interior design, her background includes event design, graphic design, marketing, and sales, along with education at the college level. She is passionate about being creative and is grateful that she can use this talent on a daily basis at Cross Schools.

Inspiring kids has always been important to her, and she has volunteered in multiple youth ministries including Young Life and  The Church of the Cross. Miss Williamson enjoys spending time with her family along with her four-legged family members which include a horse, a rescue dog, and a cat. Miss Williamson is excited to be joined by her mom, Jenny Williamson, a first-grade teacher at Cross as well as her nieces Bennett and Clara, both students in the Early Education Division. Contact Miss Williamson at k.williamson@crossschools.org.