September 2016

Kelli Harper
School Counselor

Ms. Harper has taught preschool and has been a counselor for five years. One of the most rewarding things about teaching is getting to know all of the students in the school and seeing them problem solving and using the LIFESKILLS that we are teaching them here at LCEL.

She enjoying playing with her dog, Bentley and going to USC football games, traveling and wedding planning!

Her favorite thing about LCEL is that she gets to work with the best teachers and staff who have become great friends as well as working with the students that make her smile every day!

Sarah Phillips
Prek Autism Teacher

Ms. Phillips is enjoying her first year as a teacher here at LCEL. She loves helping and watching students reach their goals. One of the most rewarding things about teaching is that the students teach her just as much as she teaches them!

She enjoys reading, baking, spending time with family, friends and her dog Auggie.

Her favorite thing about LCEL is the opportunity to work with and learn from wonderful students, faculty and staff!

May 2016

Science Lab: Mrs. Struthers
I absolutely love teaching in the Science Lab! This is my first year in Science Lab and every Gator here has taught me something to be curious about. I began teaching in 1992, so this makes 19 years for me. I stayed home for 5 years when my children were born. I love to be outside and spend much of my free time messing around in my yard. I have a son, Logan who is 20 (did you hear that Mrs. F. Lewis) and a daughter, Ashton who is 17. Logan is at USC and Ashton is going to Lander next year. I have been married 24 years to a wonderfully patient man.
Can't wait to continue learning with you next year in Science Lab!

PE: Ms. Reeves
I graduated from the University of South Carolina and have been teaching at Lake Carolina Elementary since 2005. Over the years, I have had the joy of being a foster parent to many wonderful children. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, boating, and pretty much anything outdoors.

Music: Mrs. Owens
I have been teaching music at Lake Carolina since 2006. Prior to coming to Lake Carolina, I started the choral program at Blythewood Middle School and served there for ten years. As a military spouse, I traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and also taught in Georgia, Washington State, Hawaii and Oklahoma. In my spare time I love to read, travel and go to movies.

April 2016

Kindergarten: Harold Johnson
I have been teaching and coaching since 2010.  I am currently the Defensive Coordinator at Ridge View High School. I am married to Charae’a Johnson and we have three children Breylon, Kaidyn, and Grayson.

First Grade: Kathy Knight
 I have been teaching since 1998. I began my teaching career in Kershaw County where I have taught both second and fourth grade.  I am excited about my new journey at Lake Carolina and am looking forward to working with you and your children!  I love to teach and am passionate about making a difference in children’s lives.
My husband and I are both educators.  He is the strength and conditioning coach at LEHS.  We have four children: Taylor, Grayson, Gabrielle, and Gillian.  As a family, we spend a lot of time on the soccer field.

Second Grade: Kim Johnson
I have been teaching at Lake Carolina Elementary since 2003.  I previously taught at Griggs Road Elementary in Clover, SC for nine years.  My family and I live in a nearby community.  In my spare time I enjoy walking outside, going to the beach, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Special Areas: Stacey Knutson
I have been teaching since 1995 and I’ve been in Richland School District Two since 1999. I have taught Child Development, Early Childhood Special Education, First Grade, Second Grade, and now I am back where I started in Child Development! I have been at Lake Carolina since 2011 and love being a gator!

March 2016

Kindergarten: Ms. T. Jackson

I have a BS and Master's + 30 degree in Early Childhood Education. I've taught 27 years in the classroom. I'm the mother of two amazing daughters, Kristen and Lauren. I have a precious miniature schnauzer named Bentley that I enjoy so much each day. I'm looking forward to beginning a new journey as LCE's Reading Coach next year!

First Grade: Ms. Letsche

I am originally from Iowa, Go Hawks! In my free time I enjoy running, reading, traveling, and shopping. I have been teaching since the fall of 2013. I have been teaching at Lake Carolina since 2014. 

Second Grade: Mrs. Carroll
I have been teaching in Richland Two since 1994. During this time, I have taught kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.

My husband and I have 2 children attending Richland Two schools. I enjoy reading and cooking in my free time.

Special Areas: Mrs. Ramos

I was born in El Paso Texas and come from a military family. I am Puerto Rican and love my Hispanic culture! I have been teaching since 1989 and have a bachelor’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and Early Childhood as well as a  Master’s Degree in Divergent Learner. I have been involved in the Hispanic Presbyterian Fort Jackson Ministry for eight years helping soldiers. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters, reading and working on puzzles.

February 2016

Kindergarten: Mrs. K. Jackson
I joined the Lake Carolina family in 2013. I have taught all grades K-5. My husband, Phillip, and I have two children. Joshua is our oldest child. He is 11 and is in 5th grade at the upper campus. Lindsay is our youngest. She is 9 and is a 3rd grader at the upper campus.

I love spending my days with children discovering new things and unveiling new possibilities learning opens up to us. I like to have a classroom where the kids walk away smiling and smarter everyday. We dance like no ones watching, we read like everyone's listening, and we love each other like family.

First Grade: Mrs. F. Lewis
I began my teaching career in 1996. I have taught 3rd grade and 2nd grade but 1st grade is by far my favorite! I am so thankful that I get to be a part of so many children’s educational journey.

My husband and I have 2 children and we live in Northeast Columbia. When away from school, I enjoy reading, shopping, and learning more about photography.

Second Grade: Ms. O'Neal
I have been teaching at Lake Carolina Elementary since 2013. Prior to teaching at Lake Carolina, I taught middle school special education in Richland One for two years. I am originally from Greenville, S.C., but I have lived in Columbia since 2011. My hobbies include running, playing with my dog, going to sporting events (Go Tigers!), and watching reality T.V.

Special Areas: Mr. Lane
I have been teaching since 1991 and joined Lake Carolina in 2008. Both of my parents were artists, so I am experienced in a large variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art media.
In addition to creating art, my hobbies include snowboarding, bodysurfing, stop motion animation, writing, and discovering new music.

January 2016

Kindergarten: Mrs. Agee
I joined the Lake Carolina family in 2015. I have taught kindergarten and first grade. My husband, Preston, and I have a four legged, furry child named Sadie (a golden retriever). I have believed education was my calling from an early age and feel so grateful to be doing what I love.

First Grade: Mrs. Richardson
I have been teaching at Lake Carolina since 2003. I have taught first grade and second grade. My family and I reside in a neighborhood in downtown Columbia. When away from school, I love to play tennis, snow ski, curl up to a good book, and shop!

Second Grade: Ms. Basha
I have been teaching since at Lake Carolina since 2014. I completed all of my internships for USC here at Lake Carolina. I am excited to continue my journey of being an educator at this wonderful school.

I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I have a black lab named Sadie. I am a huge fan of the Gamecocks and enjoy Carolina football and baseball games.

Special Areas: Ms. Louthian
I have been teaching in Richland Two since 2015. I attended Winthrop University and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Special Education. I am thrilled to begin my journey as an educator at Lake Carolina Elementary!

I was born in Blythewood, South Carolina and attended Richland Two throughout my time as a student. I enjoy spending time at the beach, shopping, spending time with family and friends, and rooting for my Tigers.

December 2015

Kindergarten: Mrs. Rholetter
I began my teaching career in 2003.  I have taught Art, First Grade and Kindergarten. I am married and have two daughters, Madeline and Kennedy. I enjoy catching the latest movie flicks with my family and making travel memories. I am beginning my second year of teaching at Lake Carolina.  I am looking forward to a great year. 

First Grade: Mrs. Lewis
I have been teaching at Lake Carolina Elementary since we opened in 2002. I have also taught in Florence and in Lugoff, SC. It is important to me that my students develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. My husband and I have three grown children and six grandchildren. My hobbies include reading, gardening, and spending time with my family.


Second Grade: Mrs. Stewart
I have been teaching at Lake Carolina since 2013 and I am thrilled to be a part of such a positive school community as the one here at "the Lake"!  I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Carolina.  I was drawn to the teaching profession as a result of my continuous passion for learning and the enjoyment I receive from working with children.  

In June of 2013, I married my wonderful husband, Jason, whom also graduated from USC and we now have two chocolate labs, Drake and Maggie, that we added to our family.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, vacationing at the beach, shopping, reading and cheering on the Gamecocks!


Special Areas: Kelli Harper
I have been a school counselor since 2012 and absolutely love what I do.  I am originally from Eureka, Illinois but have lived in South Carolina since 2008 and now call it home! I enjoy staying active, spending time with friends, family, and my dog Bentley.  I am looking forward to working with all of the wonderful students, families and staff at Lake Carolina!