Our Team – Engaging Creative Minds

team

Robin Berlinsky

Chief Executive Officer

Robin Berlinsky

Chief Executive Officer

Robin Berlinsky is a self-proclaimed champion of the WOOHOO spirit and cheerleader for high-quality education. She is an adjunct professor in the School of Education at The College of Charleston where she teaches future early childhood educators, the creator of The Learning Ring, a 180-day system that connects the afterschool space to the classroom and she hosts a weekly podcast, Energy Matters: In the Classroom with Robin Berlinsky. In her free time she loves to travel, read, and cook creative meals.

Email:[email protected]

Ann Birdseye

Curriculum Coach

Ann Birdseye

Curriculum Coach

Ann started in education as a Spanish teacher in Atlanta and Syracuse and, thirty-six years later, retired from Charleston County School District where she had worked in Evaluation and Research, Professional Development and Curriculum and Instruction. She was among the first staff members of Engaging Creative Minds and has served as a Curriculum Coach ever since. "My kids attended Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School and the Charleston County School of the Arts. I have seen the power of arts integration and love my work with classroom teachers and ECM Instructors to create truly engaging and unforgettable learning experiences." Ann also loves family time especially when it involves being outdoors together.

Email:[email protected]

Robin Boston

Curriculum Coach

Robin Boston

Curriculum Coach

Robin Boston is an art educator with art in her heart! Robin taught middle and high school art for 35 years before retiring from Berkeley County Public Schools, coordinated Berkeley County's High School Gifted and Talented Art Program, and taught graduate and undergraduate art courses at Charleston Southern University. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Secondary Education and a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Art Education. Robin was a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, named Teacher of the Year three times, and District Teacher of the Year finalist for Berkeley County twice. Robin has a passion for teaching, creativity, social emotional learning, the environment, and arts integration. She has experience serving the art and education community through the South Carolina Art Education Association, STEAM Forum, School Improvement Committee, among other groups. She has led many professional development workshops and state art conferences for teachers and students.

Email:[email protected]

Chelsea Gold

Sr. Support Specialist

Chelsea Gold

Sr. Support Specialist

Chelsea Gold received her Bachelor of Arts in the History and Criticism of Art with a Minor in Museum Studies from Florida State University in 2009 and began working in the accounting offices of local non-profits after graduation. She spent the last 9 years working in Marketing and Operations for a private wealth management firm in Florida before moving to Charleston with her family in 2021. When not at work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Email:[email protected]

Kendall James

Curriculum Coach

Kendall James

Curriculum Coach

Kendall has more than 30 years of experience in the education field teaching preK- adults and all ages between. Since 2016 Kendall has been a Curriculum Coach for ECM, which has allowed her to focus on helping to create engaging learning experiences for both students and teachers. In addition to supporting engaging educational practices, Kendall is committed to a healthy lifestyle, finding the good in every day, her family, and using a step stool to get things off of the top shelf.

Email:[email protected]

Starr Jordan

Director of Out-of-School Programs

Starr Jordan

Director of Out-of-School Programs

Starr Jordan is passionate about STEAM education and providing all children with engaging learning opportunities through hands-on exploration. During her 20 years in informal education, Starr's many experiences include running summer camps, creating and implementing STEM/STEAM curricula and programming, providing individualized coaching and professional development for teachers, and building partnerships to support preK-12th grade students and educators. She has a M.Ed. in Science and Math Education and a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Sciences (and loves to collect rocks and minerals!). When Starr is not at the hockey rink with her sons and husband, you can find her building with LEGO, sewing, knitting, or playing with her two dogs.

Email:[email protected]

Sierra Jung

Director of In-School Education

Sierra Jung

Director of In-School Education

Sierra Jung graduated from College of Charleston with a degree in Elementary Education, earned a Masters of Education in 2007, and joined the ranks of Nationally Board Certified Teachers in 2015 with a focus on Early and Middle Childhood Education. Over her 20+ years serving as a Charleston County elementary school teacher, she shared her passion for creating life-long learners while guiding her students to see the connection across subject areas through integrated units of study and through the use of art to actively engage students in a more thoughtful hands-on approach. Her most recent role was as a Teacher Effectiveness Specialist for CCSD where she enjoyed working alongside administrators and teachers to enhance their teaching skill set through positive and professional conversation, coaching and mentorship model. On the weekends, you can find her hunting for sharks' teeth, tending to her pollinator garden, and enjoying time with her family.

Email:[email protected]

Kari Maastricht

Director of Operations

Kari Maastricht

Director of Operations

Kari Maastricht has a BS in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston with six years of experience teaching first grade at Charleston’s premier arts integration school, Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary. Kari was the first Camp Director for ECM’s Summer STEAM Institute in Clarendon School District One where she oversaw the hiring of artists and teachers as well as the management of all high school camp assistants. Since 2016 Kari oversaw the development and implementation of camp arts integration programs and services in Charleston, Clarendon, Barnwell-19 and Allendale Counties. As Director of Operations Kari oversees all aspects of ECM’s operations to make sure we are working smarter and not harder!

Email:[email protected]

Eva Rutiri

Director of YEScarolina

Eva Rutiri

Director of YEScarolina

Eva is a graduate of Winthrop University, where she received a B.S. in marketing education and M.Ed. in secondary education. Her passion for travel and teaching abroad took her to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as the information technology teacher/coordinator for an international school. She retired from West Ashley High School in Charleston, South Carolina as a business education teacher who taught entrepreneurship and other business and computer-related courses. She was recognized for her talents in the classroom and awarded the 2011 Charleston County Teacher of the Year. Her personal and professional travels have taken her to fifty countries and six continents including cultural exchange opportunities as a marketing and business educator in Moscow, Russia and Bornholm, Denmark. Eva brings an educational perspective to ECM and a wealth of experience to the organization as a certified YEScarolina entrepreneurship teacher of twelve years with a number of regional, state, and national student winners in the business plan competitions.

Email:[email protected]

Lauren Silver

Program Coordinator

Lauren Silver

Program Coordinator

Lauren Silver graduated from the College of Charleston in 2016 with degrees in Secondary Education and English. After college, she began teaching high school English in Berkeley County School District, where she stayed for 7 years. During that time, she received a Masters degree in Instructional Coaching through Clemon University. Fun fact - Lauren was a camp counselor with the ECM Summer STEAM Institute in 2016 and 2017! Lauren is very excited to return to ECM as Program Coordinator and is looking forward to being part of the team! When Lauren is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two adorable dogs (a lab-mix and a fluffy Eskimo).

Email:[email protected]

Bailey Williams

Operations Coordinator

Bailey Williams

Operations Coordinator

Bailey graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in 2021. Moving to Charleston post grad, Bailey entered the Hotel industry of Charleston and has two years of experience in hospitality Operations and Sales. Bailey is looking forward to diving headfirst into the operations for an education nonprofit and is excited to learn! In her free time, Bailey enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, being on the beach and trying out restaurants around Charleston.

Email:[email protected]

Art Powers

Mascot

Art Powers

Mascot

Art Powers has a degree in STEAM Education with a minor in Fun. He works every day to spark excitement for learning. He believes Arts Integration helps engage everyone's creative minds and inspires hope in all students to succeed. Art creates FUN and encourages children to Power-On their Imaginations! When not in schools, he can be found exploring the world and dancing to his favorite tunes.

camp

Seasonal Staff

Haneefah Hicks

Allendale County Summer Camp Champion

Haneefah Hicks

Allendale County Summer Camp Champion

Gabbi Pace is in her third year of serving as the media specialist at Sedgefield Middle School in Berkeley County. She has a passion for media literacy, diversity, and connecting students to content across subject lines. She believes that the library should be the heart of the school and is uniquely positioned to reach students of every grade level and interest. She loves working with ECM because of their commitment and enthusiasm in fostering every student's love of STEAM concepts and curriculum, sometimes before they ever realize it! When she isn't managing the Sedgefield library or reading a great book, you can find her playing video games or spending time with one of her many pets.

Cheryl Savage

Allendale County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Willie Johnson

Allendale County Summer Camp Champion

Jessica Pym

Barnwell County Afterschool & Summer Camp Champion

David Bonezzi

Barnwell County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Brandie Stanfield

Bamberg County Afterschool & Summer Camp Champion

Scott Stevenson

Bamberg County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Gabbi Pace

Berkeley County Afterschool Club Champion

Gabbi Pace

Berkeley County Afterschool Club Champion

MyKeida Middleton

Calhoun County Summer Camp Champion

Simone Liberty

Calhoun County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Elizabeth Hoy

Charleston County Afterschool Club Champion

Shamekia Oliver

Clarendon County Summer Camp Champion

Michael Antonelli

Clarendon County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Stacy Holmes

Colleton County Summer Camp Champion

Fiona Atkinson

Colleton County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Julia Lee

Hampton County Afterschool Club Champion

Margaret Sparrow

Hampton County Afterschool and Summer Camp Champion

Genese Gee-Schmidtke

Hampton County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Joy McFarland

Jasper County Summer Camp Champion

Bethany Gray

Jasper County Summer Camp Champion

Robin Fountain

Jasper County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Samarrow Pelzer

Orangeburg County Summer Camp Champion

Angelia Jackson

Orangeburg County Summer WOOHOO Crew

Jessica Merritt

Sumter County Summer Camp Champion

Nakeisha Daniel

Sumter County Summer WOOHOO Crew

board

Board of Directors

Cathy Marino

ECM Board Chair; Retired Educator & Arts Advocate

Dr. Donald Gordon

ECM Interim Vice Chair; Executive Director The Riley Institute

Mikell Richards

ECM Board Treasurer; Vice President Regional Sales Manager United Community Bank

Dr. Clifford Fulmore

ECM Board Secretary; Former President of the South Carolina PTA

Tui Allen

VP of Product and Design, Ampla Financial Technologies

Nella Barkley

President Crystal-Barkley Corporation

Christopher Ibsen

President Dolphin Architects & Builders

Brandy Incorvia

Administrator of Educational Programs Santee Cooper

Dr. Anthony Dixon

Berkeley County School District Superintendent

Anita Huggins

Charleston County School District Interim Superintendent

Douglas Kirkman

Founder of Unity Real Estate Partners

John Mistretta

Founder & President Mistretta Leadership Group

Perry Morrissette

President - Accelerating Innovative Solutions & Services LLC; Retired Senior Leader - Boeing SC Engineering Design Center

Barbara Nwokike

South Carolina Arts Commission

Dr. William "Shane" Robbins

Superintendent Dorchester 2 School District

Scott Shanklin-Peterson

Senior Fellow in the Arts Management Program, College of Charleston

Honorable R. Keith Summey (Designee Kyle Lahm)

Mayor City of North Charleston (Director at City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department)

Honorable John Tecklenburg (Designee Mindy Sturm)

Mayor City of Charleston (Director at City of Charleston Mayor's Office for Children, Youth and Families)

Steve Swanson

Director, Quick Sort RX

Trey Tezza

Co-Founder of Find My Path

Allison Van Diest

Product Marketing Vice President Blackbaud

Dr. Fran Welch

College of Charleston Dean/ School of Education

Brittany Westbrook

President DeLoache Family Foundation

team

team

camp

Seasonal Staff

Cheryl Savage

Willie Johnson

Jessica Pym

David Bonezzi

Brandie Stanfield

Scott Stevenson

MyKeida Middleton

Simone Liberty

Elizabeth Hoy

Shamekia Oliver

Michael Antonelli

Stacy Holmes

Fiona Atkinson

Julia Lee

Margaret Sparrow

Genese Gee-Schmidtke

Joy McFarland

Bethany Gray

Robin Fountain

Samarrow Pelzer

Angelia Jackson

Jessica Merritt

Nakeisha Daniel

board

Board of Directors

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