Leslie Albert, Faith Formation


Leslie Albert's children began attending Cross Schools in 2006.  In 2009, as a volunteer, she spearheaded the building of the Cross Schools Library then served as librarian for two years.  She joined Cross Schools as a part of the Faith Formation program in 2016 as an assistant.  Today, she is a teacher of children from Preschool through High School and the coordinator of ministry and outreach events. 

Mrs. Albert holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance Degree from the University of Florida. She held positions in event planning for the Savannah Economic Development Authority, recruiting and corporate development for the Career Management Center at Vanderbilt University MBA School, and Membership Services Director at Belfair Plantation. These roles, combined with her desire to inspire others to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, have prepared her for this new position  

Mrs. Albert and her husband, Gerrit, have three children.  Contact Mrs. Albert at l.albert@crossschools.org.  

 

Ana Avila, Two Year Early Education

Ana Avila is very excited to be a part of Cross Schools and the two-year-old program!  She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for over ten years, has been a part of Cross Schools for five years, and has been a Lead Two-Year-Old Preschool teacher for three years.  

Ms. Ana strongly believes that all children learn best through play.  While you hear her say the wordplay often, these children are actively learning while playing and interacting with their peers.  Contact Ms. Ana at a.avila@crossschools.org. 

Carely Beaz,  STEAM Program Coordinator, Environmental Learning Center, Spanish and Pre-Kindergarten Art

Carely Beaz has over six years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has been a part of Cross Schools for four years.  She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is fluent in both English and Spanish.  She and her husband have three beautiful children.  

Ms. Carely looks forward to a class filled with fun, friends, and faith.  She works to provide a loving, structured environment.  She wants each child to thrive in her classroom and works towards personal, social, and physical development during the school year. Contact Ms. Carely at c.beaz@crossschools.org. 

Erin Cobb, Three Year Early Education

Erin Cobb was born in Maryland, but grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia.  She attended Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia.  Ms. Erin has been part of the Early Education Department at Cross Schools since 2010. 

Ms. Erin strives for a positive atmosphere in her classroom and loves to shower the children with hugs and affection.  She hopes to instill excitement and love for learning in the students that she teaches.  She loves that Cross Schools is first and foremost a Christian school, and that she can teach the Bible and a love for God as a major part of her day.  She feels extremely blessed to be a part of Cross Schools and to be a lead teacher in the Three-Year-Old Program.  Contact Ms. Erin at e.cobb@crossschools.org.  

Shawn Esworthy, Early Education Physical Education 

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.  

 

Jennifer Flewelling, Transitional Kindergarten

Jennifer Flewelling is originally from northern Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University.  She began her teaching career in a private preschool and then went on to pursue graduate courses and her Elementary Education certification. Over the years, she has taught students in preschool through 5th grade.  After moving south to Beaufort, South Carolina to be near family eleven years ago, she began teaching in the Beaufort County Public School System.  The last three years, she taught Pre-kindergarten at a private school in the area. 

Mrs. Flewelling is married to her wonderful husband, Matt, and she has an amazing soon who attends Cross Schools.  She lives in Beaufort with her two basset hounds, Abby and June, and a pet rabbit named Lucky.  She feels so blessed to be a part of Cross Schools!  Contact Mrs. Flewelling at j.flewelling@crossschools.org.  

Debbie Harrell, Pre-Kindergarten

Debbie Harrell has been actively involved in Cross School since 2003 when her oldest daughter began first grade.  She joined the staff at Cross Schools in 2004.  Ms. Debbie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, as well as twelve hours in post-graduate credit.

Ms. Debbie believes that all children are eager to learn, but not all children are equally ready to learn.  Because of this belief, she strives to provide each child with individual attention so they can reach their potential in every aspect of development. Contact Ms. Debbie at d.harrell@crossschools.org.

Lauren Michalopoulos, Pre-Kindergarten  

Lauren Michalopoulos attended Mount Ida College in Massachusetts, and has been teaching preschool-aged children for over eighteen years.  She, along with her husband and daughter, relocated to Bluffton from Franklin, Massachusetts. Her daughter joins her at Cross as a student. She has loved every minute of being in this beautiful area!   Ms. Lauren is very excited to be given the opportunity to teach in the Early Education Department at Cross Schools and is looking forward to getting to know the parents and the children. Contact Ms. Lauren at l.michalopoulos@crossschools.org.

Renee Mitchell, 18 Months Early Education

Renee is a native of Hilton Head Island, where she currently resides with her two daughters.

Renee has been working in Early Childhood Education for eight years. She joined Cross Schools as an assistant teacher six years ago and now is the lead 18 months teacher.

Renee strives to teach her students independence while providing a loving and nurturing environment. She believes children learn through play and hands-on activities.

She feels extremely blessed to be a part of Cross Schools and know her impact on her students. 

Jennifer Molina, Pre-Kindergarten

Jen Molina graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services in 2007.  She joined the staff at Cross Schools in 2014.  Ms. Jen loves meeting so many talented teachers and sharing her classroom with amazing children.  She has worked with children ranging in ages from three to thirteen, in both administrative roles and in the classroom.

Ms. Jen believes that children thrive when they are in a structured and positive environment.  She provides her class with opportunities to do their best at all times and uses positive reinforcement to help build confidence as they learn and grow.  She uses a variety of sensory and manipulative centers and activities to allow children "hands-on" work time.  Ms. Jen enjoys watching the class transform as the children mature, and seeing the pride each student feels when they are able to make independent connections that reinforce what they are learning in the classroom. Contact Ms. Jen at j.molina@crossschools.org.

Patti Myers, Three Year Early Education

Patti Myers has over ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has been with Cross Schools since 2018.  She moved to Bluffton seven years ago from Clearwater, Florida, and has a son, a daughter, and a beautiful grandson who attends Cross Schools. 

Ms. Patti loves watching children grow while in her classroom, and it brings her joy to see their bright smiles when they master something new.  Her classroom is an active environment based on themes involving language, math, science, social studies, art, and music.  She is thrilled to be a part of Cross Schools and to have the privilege to watch these students learn and grow.   Contact Ms. Patti at p.meyers@crossschools.org.  

 

Cristina Murillo, 4 Year Old Early Education

Contact Ms Cristina at c.murillo@crossschools.org.

Barb Osler, Two Year Early Education

Barb Osler has lived in the Bluffton/Hilton Head area for thirty five years.  Her career with Cross Schools began in 2011 after she retired from a thirty-year career in the Mortgage Banking industry.  She began as an assistant in the Toddler Program, was the Lead Teacher in the Toddler Program for three years, and is currently serving as a Lead Teacher in our Two Year Old Program.  Ms. Barb lives in Bluffton with her husband, Bill, and is very proud of her four children and six grandchildren. Contact Ms. Barb at b.osler@crossschools.org.

Maria Preciado, Two-Year Preschool

Maria Preciado is a lead teacher in our two-year Early Education Program.  She has been with Cross Schools since 2008.  Teaching children is her passion, and she is rewarded daily knowing she is making a difference in the lives of the children she teaches. 

Ms. Maria's classroom is centered around fun, friends, and faith.  She considers herself in a partnership with her parents and will work with them to make every year a successful one.  Contact her at m.preciado@crossschools.org.  

Robin Price, Pre-Kindergarten

Robin Price has always had a strong love for children and realized at a young age that it would be her life's work.  Ms. Robin started working for the University of New Hampshire Child Study and Development Center as soon as she graduated high school.  She was so inspired by the wonderful work that her co-teachers were doing with the students, that she began taking classes in Early Childhood Education.  She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2002 and has continued to make a strong commitment to young children and families.  Ms. Robin has a multitude of experience working with children of all ages, with a variety of special needs and abilities.  Ms. Robin feels incredibly lucky that events in her life have brought her to Cross Schools, and have allowed her to get to know such special teachers, students, and families. 

Ms. Robin's goal as a teacher is to provide children with a rich environment where they feel safe to explore, initiate learning, and feel free to express themselves.  Contact Ms. Robin at r.price@crossschools.org.

Marisa Rivera, Music and Drama 

Marisa Rivera graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre this past May. She has always been drawn to the stage and has performed in community, regional, and collegiate theatre in New York State. Most recently she portrayed Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. She also led SUNY Fredonia’s only competing a cappella group, Premium Blend, to place third in the ICCA competition. After college, Ms. Rivera moved to Bluffton, South Carolina to join her family. She is a member of The Church of the Cross and sings in both the Chapel and Crosspoint services every Sunday. 

Ms. Rivera believes that music and drama are essential to creating well rounded, inspired students. Her desire is to share her love of God and worship with her new cross family. She is excited to see where the Lord leads her in this ministry! Contact Ms. Rivera at m.rivera@crossschools.org.

Alexis Simmons, Three Year Early Education

Alexis Simmons grew up in Hardeeville, South Carolina, and attended Thomas Heyward Academy.  She has been working in Early Childhood Education as part of Cross Schools since 2014. Her two daughters are students at Cross Schools. 

Ms. Lexie strives to provide a loving and structured environment for the students that she teaches so that they can thrive in the classroom.  She gently pushes her students to succeed in everything they do.  Contact Ms. Lexie at l.simmons@crossschools.org.  

Ashley Terry, Twelve Months Early Education

Ashley Terry is a South Carolina native who has been working in with Cross Schools in Early Childhood since 2014. Her passion lies in teaching younger students and watching them learn and grow.

Ms. Ashley's classroom philosophy is to let the children play and enjoy their classroom surroundings while teaching them the importance of sharing and communicating with friends. She strives to teach her class independence while providing a loving and nurturing environment. Ms. Ashley focuses on simple art projects to help the children learn and experience new textures. She balances her classroom time with play and loosely structured learning time to ensure her class has a well-rounded day. She is proud to have her daughter join her as a Cross Schools student. Contact Ms. Ashley at a.terry@crossschools.org.