imagination

Who we are

 

ECM, a nonprofit based in Charleston, South Carolina, works with school districts, principals, teachers, and the local workforce to identify specific knowledge and skillsets all students should master before graduating high school. We hire and train local artists, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) professionals, and cultural organizations, called ECM Instructors, to work with teachers in grades K-12 to enhance student learning via arts integrated learning using innovation, ingenuity, and creativity.  Our goal is for every student to achieve academically, stay engaged in school and succeed in life while their teachers develop engaging teaching strategies like arts integration and entrepreneurship that foster communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, and future planning. Teachers and students report that ECM is a powerful model of success.

Meet our Team

engage

What we do

In School

ECM Coaches work with ECM Instructors and teachers to bring Engaged Learning Experiences (ELEs) into K-8th grade classrooms.

Afterschool

ECM is thrilled to be working with schools around the state of South Carolina in the afterschool space! We run a variety of programs for K-12 on topics including arts integration, STEAM, and entrepreneurship.

Summer Camp

ECM's Summer STEAM Institute (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is a 6-week camp for rising k-8th graders designed to prevent summer learning loss.

Entrepreneurship

In the fall of 2021, ECM merged with YEScarolina, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of students in grades 9-12 from communities statewide build business skills and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.  This merger gives ECM the opportunity to provide a robust k-12 educational pipeline.  

Professional Development

ECM empowers and supports teachers by giving them the tools, confidence and skill level to successfully integrate the arts and light a spark in every one of their student's creative and innovative spirits.

School Grants

20% of net proceeds from our annual fundraiser, The Charleston Marathon, are awarded to teachers for Arts Integration projects.

learn

Where we work

Berkeley County School District ELE Partners

H.E. Bonner Elementary
Principal Melissa Willis
171 Macedonia Foxes Cir, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
https://www.bcsdschools.net

Cainhoy Elementary
Principal LaWanda Glears
2434 Cainhoy Rd, Huger, SC 29450
https://www.bcsdschools.net/

Cane Bay Middle
Principal Carol Beckmann-Bartlett
1175 Cane Bay Blvd, Summerville, SC 29486
https://www.bcsdschools.net/

Daniel Island School (Elementary & Middle)
Principal Nancy Leigh
2365 Daniel Island Dr, Charleston, SC 29492
http://www.bcsdschools.net/
​
Howe Hall AIMS
Principal Chris Swetckie
115 Howe Hall Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
https://www.bcsdschools.net/

Marrington Middle of the Arts
Principal Alison Thornley
109 Gearing St, Goose Creek, SC 29445
https://www.bcsdschools.net/

Sedgefield Middle School
Principal Heather Ducker
131 Charles B Gibson Ave, Goose Creek, SC 29445
https://www.bcsdschools.net/
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Whitesville Elementary
Principal Katie Taie
324 State Rd S-8-357, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
http://www.bcsdschools.net/WES

Charleston County School District ELE Partners

AC Corcoran Elementary
Principal Johnathon Wideman
Vistavia Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406
https://www.ccsdschools.com/corcoran

Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary
Principal Timothy Sullivan
Wallace School Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
http://ashleyriver.ccsdschools.com

Carolina Park Elementary
Principal Michael Antonelli
3650 Park Ave Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
http://carolinapark.ccsdschools.com

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary
Principal Cheryl Savage
Remount Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406
https://www.ccsdschools.com/dunston

James B. Edwards Elementary
Principal Robin Fountain
855 Von Kolnitz Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
https://www.ccsdschools.com/jbedwards

James Simons Elementary Montessori School
Principal Elizabeth Dillenkoffer
741 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
http://simons.ccsdschools.com
​
Jennie Moore Elementary
Principal Karen Felder
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
https://www.ccsdschools.com/jenniemoore
​
Ladson Elementary
Principal Janet Brown
3321 Ladson Road
Ladson, SC 29456
https://www.ccsdschools.com/ladson

Murray-LaSaine Elementary Montessori School
Principal Meredith Wallace
691 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
http://murraylasaine.ccsdschools.com

North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary
Principal Anne-Marie Murphy
5200 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29405
http://northcca.ccsdschools.com

Oakland Elementary
Principal Elizabeth Nicodin
505-A Arlington Dr, Charleston, SC 29414
https://www.ccsdschools.com/oakland
​
Springfield Elementary
Principal Megan Williams
2130 Pinehurst Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
https://www.ccsdschools.com/springfield

Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary
Principal Michelle Conner
1565 Rifle Range Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
http://www.ccsdschools.com/whitesides

Dorchester District Two ELE Partners

Alston-Bailey Elementary
Principal Vernisa Bodison
820 W 5th N St, Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/ABES
​
Alston Middle
Principal Michelle Leviner
500 Bryan Street
Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/AMS
​
Beech Hill Elementary
Principal Rene Harris
1001 Beech Hill Rd, Summerville, SC 29485
https://www.ddtwo.org/BHES

Charles B. DuBose Middle
Principal Ted Brinkley
1005 Dubose School Rd, Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/DMS

Eagle Nest Elementary
Principal Marcy Brown
8640 River Oaks Dr, North Charleston, SC 29420
https://www.ddtwo.org/EES
​
Fort Dorchester Elementary
Principal Annette Pletcher
5201 Old Glory Ln, North Charleston, SC 29485
https://www.ddtwo.org/FDES
​
James H. Spann Elementary
Principal Shane Sanford
901 John McKissick Way, Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/SPANN

Joe Pye Elementary
Principal Priscilla Johnson
9701 Patriot Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29456
https://www.ddtwo.org/JPES
​
Newington Elementary
Principal Rachel Cubbage
10 King Charles Cir, Summerville, SC 29485
https://www.ddtwo.org/NES
​
Oakbrook Elementary
Principal Kim Boutin
306 Old Fort Dr, Ladson, SC 29456
https://www.ddtwo.org/OES
​
River Oaks Middle
Principal Jack Mansor
8642 River Oaks Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
https://www.ddtwo.org/roms
​
Rollings Middle School of the Arts
Principal Patrick Pye
1635 Beech Hill Rd, Summerville, SC 29485
https://www.ddtwo.org/RMSA
​
Summerville Elementary
Principal Jeff Lagasca
835 S Main St, Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/SES
​
William H. Reeves Elementary
Principal Natalie Hayes
1003 Dubose School Rd, Summerville, SC 29483
https://www.ddtwo.org/RES
​
Windsor Hill Elementary
Principal Robert Neuner
8600 William Moultrie Dr, North Charleston, SC 29420
https://www.ddtwo.org/whaies