Learn about our New BMS Teachers...

Learn About our New BMS Teachers!

Mr. Barna is a local, having graduated from White Knoll High School in Lexington, SC.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music with emphasis in Music Education from the University of South Carolina, having primarily studied trumpet under professors James Ackley and Allen Vizzutti, both internationally respected trumpet players.

Mr. Barna completed his student teaching under Mrs. Leah Corde and Mr. Vince Clayton at Kelly Mill Middle School and Ridge View High School respectively, making him very familiar with Richland School District Two. Prior to joining the Blythewood Middle School teaching staff, he also created and directed two brass ensembles encompassing students from Richland 2 and Lexington 1, the Ridge View High School Brass Ensemble and Palmetto Youth Brass Choir, co-directing the latter with Mr. James Barnes from Blythewood High School. In addition to the brass ensembles, Mr. Barna was active in the district as a private trumpet instructor as well as teaching on the Blythewood High School marching band staff for two years. He has also been active in other programs outside of Richland 2 including creating and co-directing a winter percussion ensemble at Gilbert High School in Lexington, SC. This will also be his fourth year as a staff member of the Music City Drum Corps from Nashville, TN. Mr. Barna has also taught abroad at a university in Hubei Province, China. The 2016-2017 school year will mark Mr. Barna’s first year at Blythewood Middle School.

Mr. Barna spends his free time running and traveling. He is an avid runner, having run three marathons including The Great Wall Marathon in Beijing, China. His goal is to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon within the next few years. Not only has he traveled around the US, Mr. Barna has also traveled internationally throughout China, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

My name is Kirsten Baker and I am extremely excited to teach 6th and 7th grade Social Studies at Blythewood Middle School. I recently graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Middle Level Social Studies and Science Education. I had amazing opportunities at Columbia College, including the honor of being a South Carolina Teaching Fellow. Through Columbia College I was able to complete my student teaching at Blythewood Middle School, and I was tremendously grateful that I was able to start my career with an amazing school, faculty, and community.

While beginning my career at Blythewood Middle, I hope to bring history alive for my students. I love to travel and I am always eager to see new places. I would like to pass that along to my students and help them to see not only the importance of history, but to get them excited to learn more about it. My personal goal for the school year is to give my students a classroom experience filled with collaboration and support. I will work to meet all of my students learning styles with a variety of strategies and activities in the classroom. When my students step into my classroom, I would love for them to be excited about history and interested in finding out the agenda for the day. I hope my students leave my classroom at the end of the year with tools that they can apply in the future, inside and outside of the classroom. I am honored to be a Blythewood Charger and I look forward to an exciting 2016-2017 school year!

My name is Christina Chance and I will be the CATE (Computer and Technology Education) teacher for the 2016-17 school year here at BMS. I’m so excited to have you in my class!  My goal for this course is to introduce you to educational uses for computers that will allow you to succeed not only in other classes, but in future studies and jobs as well.

This is my first year at BMS.  Prior to coming here, I taught at Newberry High School.  I have a BS in Business Education and an MS in Information Technology.   I am looking forward to working with you this year and helping you achieve your full potential.  I’m looking forward to a year filled with challenges and excitement.  I’m “All In” and I hope you are to!  Welcome to a great year at BMS!  

Hello, my name is Ellen Didyoung. I am pleased to become a member of the Blythewood Middle School team. I am a former BMS parent, volunteer, and aide. My philosophy of teaching and learning is that given the right environment every student can and does learn at their pace to reach their full potential. I am proud to be teaching at a school where this philosophy has been in practice for many years as demonstrated by their continued awards in Schools to Watch, Palmetto’s Finest, and Palmetto Gold just to name a few. I look forward to an exciting and dynamic school year in my new role as LDSC teacher.

Things you need to know about me. I am the mother of three former students of BMS. All have grown and graduated from college. I have a grand-daughter Zoey, who keeps me young. I love reading and crafts of all kinds. If I am not creating something I have several projects in the design stage. I have recently started to learn to play tennis and guitar, two things I have always wanted to do but didn’t have the time for. But most of all I have a love for learning and want to teach this to my students. I believe it is human nature to be curious and to desire to know how things work.

My name is Jill Lee. I am so excited to be teaching 7th grade math at Blythewood Middle School this year.  I have been teaching for 20 years.  You might recognize my name since I have taught in this community for 13 years.  I taught at Blythewood Middle School prior to teaching at Round Top Elementary, and now I am coming back.  I love the Blythewood community and the support that the Blythewood families provide their children and teachers.

I have lived in Blythewood for 16 years with my husband, Brian, and daughter, Abby.  Abby is a 7th grader at BMS, so I am also invested in this school as a parent.  When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling, going to the beach or pool, shopping, walking, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.  

Teaching has always been my passion, and I have always been devoted to teaching middle school math. Students either love math or hate math, and my goal is for EVERY child to realize their potential in math by challenging them to do their best, as well as having fun learning.  I look forward to being a part of the Charger family again, and working with all of my students.  

My name is Jennifer Lydick and I am very excited to be joining the Blythewood Middle family! I am going to be teaching both Math and Science this year. I strongly believe in focusing on students’ abilities in the classroom, while helping them grow in all areas needed to be successful.  I think we can all learn from one another, and I am just as excited to teach students as I am to learn from them. My goal is to guide students through learning, while inspiring them to take their knowledge wherever life may take them. I also believe in celebrating students’ passions and interests, as our passions are often what motivate us to go far in life.  I would like my students to know they are capable of accomplishing anything they choose to work hard at.

When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my sisters and with friends. I enjoy running outside, when the weather is nice.  I also like to follow the news closely, and watch or read it any chance I have.   


My name is Susan MacRae and I am the new 8th grade science teacher at Blythewood Middle this year.  While new to Blythewood, I am not new to teaching science.  I have 10 years experience in the science classroom, and prior to that, I was a geologist for a private environmental engineering company.  I look forward to meeting my new students and parents!  Go Chargers!!

My name is Brittany Porter and I am very excited to be an 8th grade English Language

Arts teacher at Blythewood Middle School! I am originally from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but came to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina, in which I received my Bachelors degree in English and my Masters of Teaching in Secondary Education. Working with young adolescents has always been a passion of mine because I have been able to see how  positive role models and positive relationships can transform an adolescent's life.
Some of my hobbies include reading (preferably at the beach), going to the beach, working out, cooking, and traveling. I truly believe in the power of books and wish that my students will find a love for reading. Another passion of mine is traveling. I have been to several different countries, my latest being Russia and Canada. I love experiencing different countries and seeing how others live. I try to incorporate this into my teaching, where students explore and gain a better understanding of other cultures and communities beyond their world.

My name is Lisa Pruett, and I am delighted to be a BMS Charger.  My experience in education includes teaching all middle level grades and subjects.  My strengths in working with students include behavior analysis and improvement; engaging the resistant learner; providing students with the tools to meet their goals in both academics and personal endeavors.

Personally, I am a  lifelong learner who comes from a long history of avid readers.  My other interests include spending time with my family (including my two small dogs); boating, leading a small group of middle school girls at my church. I have a two children ages 18 and 16 who continue to amaze me with their growth and pursuits. This fall brings big changes as my daughter enters college, my son begins to drive independently, and I become part of the BMS family.  


My name is Margaret Scott and I am from Marion, SC. I earned a Bachelor of Science from Benedict College and a Master of Education from Francis Marion University. I have been teaching for 20 years and have taught grades third through eighth. Teaching is a noble profession and I believe it is the most important service I provide to the Richland Two community.  Teaching allows me to educate children to function knowledgeably in a society where rapid technological advances constantly pose new questions and ethical challenges. One of my ultimate objectives as a teacher is to facilitate learning by helping students to gain the necessary skills to take control of and become active participants in their own learning. I truly believe that knowledge gained through active participation is knowledge that will stay with an individual beyond the classroom. Outside of teaching, my hobbies include cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family.

My name is Parker Smith, and I am honored and excited to be joining Blythewood Middle School. I look forward to getting to work with each and every one of the students and getting to know them on a personal level. Building relationships with the students is a huge part of my teaching philosophy and establishing a positive environment. I want each student to be in an environment where they feel safe and can learn the necessary skills to live a healthy and active lifestyle. I look forward to working with each student and getting to know their parents and family members as well.

I went to school in Richland Two and actually was a student at Blythewood Middle School not too long ago. I went on to graduate from Blythewood High School and then attended the greatest university in this state and that is the University of South Carolina. I coach football and baseball at Blythewood High School so I will always be around the community. In my spare time I love to play golf, enjoy the outdoors, or go to the gym. Again, I am honored and excited to get the 2016-2017 kicked off and look forward to meeting all of my students!

Hello, I am Ryan Tavenner and I will be joining Blythewood Middle School as an 8th grade English language arts teacher for the 2016-2017 school year.  I am thrilled to be a part of a wonderful team and look forward to my time in Richland School District Two.  I have lived in the Columbia area all of my life, attending Richland School District One throughout my childhood.  After high school I attended Midlands Technical College for my freshman year and then transferred to the University of South Carolina where I earned a Bachelor's in English and a Master’s in Secondary Education.  I love to spend my time enjoying good movies, being with friends, and volunteering in my church.  If you knew me you would know that I love to smile and always want to share a good laugh.

As a teacher I believe that the classroom should be a place where exponential learning occurs.  I believe in practical education, focusing on skills that each student will need at some point in their lives.  When students leave my class, I want them to be ready for high school, as well as for the prospect of finding their first jobs.  In my room students will learn to be masters of their own learning.  I do not talk at students.  Instead I act as a facilitator of learning by giving students the tools and the guidance to learn the skills and the content on their own.  This is how real learning occurs outside of the classroom, and I believe this aids in making lifelong learners out of the students.


My name is David Thomas and I will be one of the new Physical Education teachers.  I am a graduate of Winthrop University and I have taught PE at Rock Hill, Lugoff Elgin, Fort Mill, and Northwestern High School.  This will be my 18th year teaching Physical Education.  I am also a National Board Certified Teacher.  I enjoy being active and some of my favorite activities include:  running, working out, and playing outdoors with my family.  My wife, Dani, and I have 4 children:  Callie, Lily, Ellie, and Charlie.  In addition to my role as teacher at BMS, I am also excited to be coaching football and track at Spring Valley High School.

Greetings Charger family! My name is Frank Turner, and I cannot wait to work with all of the Blythewood Middle Chorus students for the 2016-2017 school year. This will be my first year of teaching, and I am excited to join the Blythewood faculty. I look forward to building positive and meaningful relationships with all of the chorus students. The Blythewood Middle Chorus program will expose students to different types of music, performance practices, and musical skills that will prepare them for general music or choral studies beyond junior high.

Just a little about Mr. Turner: I am a native of Jackson, Mississippi. I have a high school diploma from the MS School of the Arts, a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from MS College, and I recently completed the Master of Arts in Teaching-Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina-Columbia. I have performed in several musical theater and opera productions while attending MS College. For three years, I was cast as King Balthazar in Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” with Mississippi Opera. As a graduate student at USC, I was the Graduate Assistant for the Concert Choir and University Men’s Chorus. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, basketball, and horseback riding. I look forward to sharing my musical and life-changing experiences with the students at Blythewood Middle, and I cannot wait to meet each and every one of you!