Learning Specialist
Lisa Maher, M.Ed
Lisa Maher believes that all students have the ability to learn to their fullest potential, within a nurturing and inspiring community. Lisa has been at Riverview since 2018 is originally from New York, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from SUNY Cortland and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Dowling College. Lisa has had the pleasure to work with students of diverse disabilities and has gained amazing experiences, teaching in different states thanks to her husband’s career in the USMC. Lisa and her family returned to the Lowcountry and made Beaufort their permanent home in 2015. When Lisa is not teaching she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, going to the beach, traveling, and exercising.
Special Services Coordinator
Lisa Maher, M.Ed
Learning Specialist
Laura Bartlett, M.Ed.
Laura Bartlett loves supporting students, parents, and staff. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to quickly connect with students and encourage their development away from limitation. Laura is new to the low country and is originally from California’s Central Valley where she earned her Bachelor of Education in 2002 from California State University, Stanislaus. After twelve years as a Resource Special Education teacher, Laura earned her Master of Education in School Administration, and served as a Special Education Administrator for eight years. Laura likes to spend her downtime at the beach with her daughter and husband, going for walks by the water, or exploring the local islands.
Learning Specialist
Laura Bartlett, M.Ed.
Learning Specialist
Andrea Dixon, M.Ed.
Andrea Dixon began teaching at Riverview the year it opened its doors in 2009. She is a firm believer that all students are capable of reaching their academic potential through different learning styles, learning at their own pace, and perseverance. Mrs. Dixon earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Ole Miss and her Master’s of Education degree in Special Education, specializing in Learning Disabilities, from Clemson University. Outside of teaching at RCS, Andrea enjoys boating with her family, all things Clemson and Ole Miss, watching the Atlanta Braves, and visiting her adult children, Maya and Mitchell, in the Upstate.
Learning Specialist
Andrea Dixon, M.Ed.
Learning Specialist
Kristi Rosengarten, M.Ed.
Kristi Rosengarten was a part of the Riverview family’s opening in 2009. Her beliefs about engaging and developing the whole child with hands-on experiences were a perfect match with Riverview. Kristi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, and she began teaching in her hometown of Charleston, SC in 1995. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education in 2000 from The Citadel, and holds a Highly Qualified Teacher endorsement. When not at Riverview, you will most likely find Kristi enjoying a boat ride to explore the sandbars with her husband Chris and daughter Anna Kate.
Learning Specialist
Kristi Rosengarten, M.Ed.
Reading Interventionist
Caroline Dalton, M.A.
Caroline Dalton believes that all students will succeed if given the proper seeds: environment, role models, educational connections to real life and the tools to improve their individual needs. Mrs. Dalton has been teaching at Riverview since 2012. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Widener Univeristy and her master’s degree in special education from Arcadia University. She holds an endorsement in gifted & talented education and orton- gillingham. Mrs. Dalton has lived in Beaufort for over 18 years and has been a military wife for over 21 years. When she’s not teaching, you might find Mrs. Dalton at the beach, boating or on a soccer field with her husband Dennis and her daughters Brooke and Kate.
Reading Interventionist
Caroline Dalton, M.A.
Math Interventionist
Deborah Mixon, M.Ed
Deborah Mixon came to Riverview in 2010 and has been in education over 40 years. Deborah holds a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina , a B.S. degree in physical education and endorsements in special education. She believes all children learn best through hands on exploration. When she is not teaching she enjoys time on the river in the boat with her husband Russ.
Math Interventionist
Deborah Mixon, M.Ed
Speech Language Pathologist
Ainsley Tayloe, M.S. CCC-SLP
Ainsley Tayloe came to Riverview in August of 2015. She has a passion for helping create and implement a plan for her students to achieve their communication goals. Ainsley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science and Disorders from North Carolina State University in May 2004 and received a Master of Science degree in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology from East Carolina University in May 2006. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association, South Carolina state licensure, and Educator Certification in South Carolina. Ainsley started her career in the schools in North Carolina and has also worked in both private and clinical settings. Ainsley and her husband moved to South Carolina in July of 2013. They love to be outside on the boat or at the beach with their two sons.
Speech Language Pathologist
Ainsley Tayloe, M.S. CCC-SLP
School Counselor
Ashton Forrest, M.Ed.
Ashton Forrest started her career as an Elementary School Counselor at Riverview in 2021. Ashton earned her Master’s of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University in 2020 and has a passion for knowing students and coming alongside them to help them achieve their goals. She believes that children learn best when they are valued, heard and supported. On weekends, you’ll usually find Ashton on the beach with a good book and her husband Cole.
School Counselor
Ashton Forrest, M.Ed.
School Counselor
Hina Patel, M.Ed.
Hina Patel was born and raised in Beaufort to entrepreneurs and is the oldest of 3 children. She is the product of BCSD, NC State University (B.A.) & the University of Maryland, College Park (M.Ed.) She was a middle school counselor in the Maryland and Georgian suburbs for 14 years and 4 years in management of local family businesses. She is a wife and mother to 2 boys (who attend Riverview Charter School.) She loves to travel, walk on the beach, read, do puzzles, and try different foods. She believes all children can meet their potential if we can help them make the connection between school and real life, provide tools necessary to encourage self-love, confidence, authenticity, curiosity, and deep thinking, and most importantly help them to feel seen and heard.
School Counselor
Hina Patel, M.Ed.
School Counselor
Janikqua Reed
Janikqua Reed believes that being a power for good in her community begins with ensuring the wellbeing of children in all areas of their lives. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from Benedict College in 2006, a Master’s in Elementary Studies from Wheelock College in 2009 and a Master’s in School Counseling from Capella University in 2023. After beginning the first part of her career as a social worker, Janikqua is elated to continue her passion for helping children as a school counselor. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and singing. She is excited to be joining the Riverview Family!
School Counselor
Janikqua Reed, M.Ed.
School Counselor
Heidi VanEsselstyn, B.A.
Heidi van Esselstyn came to RCS in 2016 when her family re-located to the Lowcountry. Heidi has a Master’s in Social Work from University of Maryland and believes that home, school and community collaboration are the key to achieving student success.Heidi is a huge sports fan and loves everything about Maryland and DC sports. On weekends, you’ll usually find Heidi on the sidelines cheering on her boys or spending time out on the water with her family.
School Counselor
Heidi VanEsselstyn, LISW-CP
Creative Arts
Lisa Clancy, M.Ed.
Lisa Clancy has been an integral part of the Riverview school family sparking creativity, enthusiasm, and confidence in all aspects of the Creative Arts program since RCS opened its doors. She is passionate about the arts and knows that children’s involvement in activities that stimulate their creativity can bring light and beauty to the world. Hundreds of RCS students children have graced the stage in the many musicals she has directed throughout the years. Lisa received BS in Family studies from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT and a Masters of Education from Cambridge College in Boston. Since childhood, she has been involved in all aspects of the arts, namely theater and music in the schools and communities where she has lived. She has held numerous teaching positions in traditional classrooms, as well as, in many arts roles. She loves painting, traveling, photography, music and is a lover of Broadway theater. Her family is her greatest treasure and she looks forward to time spent with them.
Creative Arts
Lisa Clancy, M.Ed.
French
Kerry Cosneau, M.Ed.
Kerry Cosneau brings her love of world cultures to the classroom as Riverview’s French teacher. Madame Cosneau earned her B.A. in French Area Studies from Goucher College (MD), and then spent two years traveling the world with the international group Up With People before beginning her teaching career in 1999. She earned her M.Ed. in Classroom Teaching with a concentration in Fine Arts from the University of Rio Grande (OH), and has taught children and adults in France, the Czech Republic and three U.S. states. An international family, Madame and her husband (a native of France) are raising their son bilingually.
French
Kerry Cosneau, M.Ed.
Spanish Integrator
Fari Lopez, M.S.
Fari Lopez is originally from Colombia in South America and came to the United States in 2001. She attended Universidad del Atlantico in Barranquilla, Colombia, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages. She also completed her Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology at Full Sail University. Señora Lopez has always enjoyed teaching and learning languages. In fact, she was in middle school when she started to learn English, and a year later she attended a school where she learned to speak seven languages besides Spanish. That is how her love for learning about other cultures started. She enjoys teaching her students about her culture and motivating them to learn to speak other languages. In her free time she loves traveling with her family and their dog, Teddy.
Spanish Integrator
Fari Lopez, M.S.
Technology Integrator
Brian Good, B.S.
Brian Good joined Riverview in 2014. He is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and Immaculata College. He loves exploring technology with his students, including keyboarding, coding, robots, STEM/critical thinking activities, 3D printing and using the laser Glowforge. When not at school, his 3 dogs occupy a lot of his time but he also enjoys traveling, boating, paddleboarding and the beach.
Technology Integrator
Brian Good, B.S.
Technology Integrator
Suzi Prekop, M.Ed.
Suzi Prekop joined Riverview in 2017. She believes that students flourish best when relationships have been established and seeks to help students discover what they excel in and what they don’t so they can succeed. Teaching since 1991, Suzi holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ursuline College, a Masters in Early Childhood Education from The University of South Carolina and Masters in Educational Technology from Lesley University. She recently completed the coursework for Gifted and Talented endorsement. Outside of school, she is a yogi, daily walker, beach lover and finds comfort cooking, canning and baking.
Technology Integrator
Suzi Prekop, M.Ed.
Art Integrator
Stephanie Luzny, M.A.
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Stephanie Luzny has been teaching art in Beaufort County since 1998, and joined Riverview in 2015. Mrs. Luzny earned her undergraduate degree in industrial design from Georgia Tech and her master’s degree in art education from the University of Georgia. She believes that the key to teaching art is to give students the tools they need to think and act like an artist, and the confidence to problem-solve creatively in any situation. Mrs. Luzny loves to spend her free time outside paddle boarding, biking, and hiking with her husband and three sons.
Art Integrator
Stephanie Luzny, M.A.Ed.
Art Integrator
Blythe Brown, B.A.
I am a teaching artist, and like to integrate core subjects with visual arts, music, and movement. I enjoy teaching within an environment that sparks creativity, curiosity, and compassion. I grew up in Beaufort and I am excited to come full circle by sharing my love of art with my hometown. I received Bachelor’s Degrees in Studio Arts (BA) and Anthropology (BS) from the College of Charleston in 2007, then became a certified yoga teacher (RYT) for adults and children at Holy Cow Yoga Center in 2008. In 2013, I received a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Art Education from Western Carolina University with a focus on arts integration. My partner, Noah, and I enjoy time on the water, traveling, and playing music together. We have a parakeet named Boogie that is my assistant in the art room sometimes. It is wonderful to be a part of the Riverview Family!
Art Integrator
Blythe Brown, M.A.T.
Band Director
Eduardo Lara
Eduardo Lara believes that the role of a teacher is best reached when students are engaged in activities that are inspirational, entertaining, and educational. Mr. Lara received his B.A. in Music Education from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and his M.A. in Music Education from the University of Florida. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2019 as a trumpet instrumentalist where he was a part of the ceremonial band, field band, brass quintet, was a ceremonial bugler, and participated as a sound technician for the Parris Island Marine band. Mr. Lara began teaching in Riverview in 2023. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Lara enjoys watching movies, learning about airplanes, watching baseball, and spending time at home with his wife Mary, and their two cats Nermal and Salem.
Band Director
Eddie Lara
Chorus Director
JordanPlair
Jordan Plair has taught in Beaufort County for thirteen years and began her journey as a Riverview Stingray in 2022. She graduated from Presbyterian College in 2009 with a degree in Music Education. In Mrs. Plair’s classroom students will learn the joy of creating music together, using instruments and their voices. When she’s not at Riverview, you can find Mrs. Plair with a book in her hand enjoying time with her husband, Nick, her two children, Mason and Alillian, and their two cats, Birdy and Rosie.
Chorus Director
Jordan Plair
Physical Education
Jared Lutz
Jared Lutz is new to Riverview and just joined this year 2022. He is originally from Ohio and recently moved down to Beaufort. When he was in Ohio he coached football, basketball, baseball, and tennis at the middle school level. Jared is excited to become the girls Basketball coach here at Riverview this year. He loves to challenge students physically and show them new skills that they might not even know they had. When he’s not at Riverview you can catch him fishing at the beach with his dog Nala.
Physical Education
Jared Lutz
Physical Education
Jon Strebe, M.A.
Jon Strebe has been teaching since 2001, and has had the privilege of teaching at Riverview since 2011. Coach Strebe believes that every child is unique and valuable. He strives to run his classes in such a way that every child truly understands and believes that they have something special to offer our community. Coach Strebe earned his master’s of educational administration and supervision in 2015 from Liberty University. When he is not at Riverview, you might find Jon, his wife Donna, and his three children Luke, Ryan, and Emma Kate in Orlando having fun at the Universal or Disney parks.
Physical Education
John Strebe, M.A.
Physical Education
Lisa VanHorn, B.S.
I have twenty years of teaching experience. My first two years I taught special education in Fauquier County, Virginia. Then, I taught Physical Education and Health in Princeton, New Jersey. The following seven years I taught Physical Education at Beaufort Academy grades pre-K-9. While at Beaufort Academy I established and coached Beaufort Academy Soccer and Sports Camps and beaufort Tennis and Swim Camps. I have coached: track, cross-country, cheerleading, gymnastics, field hockey and tennis at the middle and high school levels. In addition to being a Pennsylvania state champion gymnast, I also rowed crew for the West Virginia University Crew Team. While teaching physical education I received the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching. I am eager to challenge your child to learn new skills, to set personal goals, and to be passionate about life-long fitness and wellness.
Physical Education
Lisa VanHorn, B.S.