Meet the New to BMS Teachers...

Meet the New to BMS Teachers...

Kendall Bell

Hello, my name is Kendall Bell.  This will be my first year at BMS.  I am a graduate from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Biological Sciences.  I am a product of Blythewood Middle School and Richland 2 and am excited to be back, teaching 7th grade science.

Gabrielle Bellanco

Hello!  My name is Gabrielle Bellanco.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology with minors in Math, Chemistry, and Leadership.  This is my first year at Blythewood Middle School as well as my first year in South Carolina!  I recently moved from Pennsylvania and couldn’t be happier.

Chris Derajtys

Hello!  I am Chris Derajtys and have taught middle school science for 27 years in Rock Hill before moving to Columbia in June.  I am so excited to be at Blythewood Middle School and can’t wait to share my love of science with my students.  I am an avid hiker and backpacker and am working on section hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I have three children who are attending and/or have graduated from both Clemson and Carolina - we are a house divided.  I look forward to a great year!

Carson Dixon

Hi there!  My name i Carson Dixon, and I am so excited to be a charger!  I am the new orchestra director here at Blythewood Middle School.  I received my bachelor’s of music from the University of South Carolina, and my main instrument is the viola.  I am originally from Spartanburg, SC and enjoy visiting the Upstate.  I like to go hiking and backpacking, drink coffee, and contra dance!  I am looking forward to this school year and the awesome music making that will take place.

Cathleen Lacey

My name is Cathy Lacey and I am excited to be teaching 7th grade Social Studies at BMS!  This year marks my return to the classroom after staying at home with my family the past nine years.  Prior to that, I was an Integration Technology Specialist in Lexington/Richland 5.  When I began my career, I taught 7th grade Social Studies in New Jersey.  I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in both History and Education, as well as a Master’s Degree in Teaching.

Amanda McGhee

Hello, my name is Amanda McGhee.  I recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Science in Middle Level Education specializing in Math and Science.  I am very excited about this upcoming school year with the Charger family!

Ronald “Ron” Moody

My name is Ronald (Ron) Moody and here is my brief history.  I am retired military where I spent most of my 20 year career in overseas bases I returned to the U.S. in 1996 and retired in 1997.  I worked in several locations ranging from poultry production to machine operator before I decided to return to college.  I graduated in 2006 and started teaching middle school ELA.  After my first year , I was moved to 7th grade math.  I enjoy remodeling homes and ???? chores.

Sarah Moore

Since beginning my nursing career I have anxiously awaited the coveted chance to become a school nurse and be able to influence the health of the generations to come.  I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Case Western Reserve University and began my career as a neurological ICU nurse.  Since then I have been an Emergency Room nurse and Home Health nurse.  I am excited to bring this experience to the Blythewood Middle School community.

Chase Morin

Hi!  My name is Mr. Morin.  I am a Columbia native and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in music education.  After teaching band in Richland 2 for three years, I moved to the beautiful state of Colorado to complete a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting at Colorado State University.  I am thrilled to be returning to Richland 2 and joining the Charger family here at Blythewood Middle School.

Vidamarie Nicholson

Hello Everyone!  I am Vidamarie Nicholson. This is my first year teaching at Blythewood Middle School.  I am excited to integrate technology and relevant real-world problems into my mathematics classroom.  I am a graduate of Columbia College.  My BA is in Middle Level Education with concentrations in Mathematics and English Language Arts.  I am also a South Carolina Teaching Fellows.  I enjoy going to the beach, playing with my nieces, and puppy Doxie, and serving at my church.  I am a former Blythewood Middle student and am excited to join the Charger family once again!

Janie Plyler

Hi, my name is Janie Plyler and this is my first year at Blythewood Middle School.  I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Biological Science.  I will be teaching 8th grade Science.  I am very excited to be joining the Blythewood Middle School family.

Verena Randolph

Welcome to another great year at BMS!  My name is Verena Randolph and I am excited to be a part of the Charger family.  I have been an educator for 23 years.  I have had the pleasure of teaching 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  This will be my 1st year teaching middle school as a 6th grade #LA teacher and I am so excited about this new journey.  I have two amazing sons who have attended Richland 2 schools.  During my 23 year of teaching, I have served as an Instructional Coach for the State Department of Education and am currently a National Board Certified Teacher.  I am also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  This is going to be an amazing year as we fuel the flame -from seeds to fuel!  Go Chargers!

Shelby Rood

Hello!  My name is Shelby Rood and I taught as a math interventionist prior to coming to Blythewood.  This is my first year in South Carolina.  I grew up and went to college at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.  I’m a big Michigan State fan!  I’ve spent multiple years coaching basketball and soccer.  I will be teaching 8th grade math and honors Geometry this year!   I’m very excited to be a part of the Blythewood family! Go Chargers!

Paige Simon

Hello!  My name is Paige Simon.  I am a Greenville native and recent graduate from USC where I completed both my undergraduate and master’s degrees.  I love project based learning and hands on activities that help to make learning fun.  I am so excited to be a part of the Blythewood Middle Family.  Go Chargers!

Gregory Taylor

I am Mr. Taylor and I am teaching 6th grade math.  This is my third year teaching.  I am very excited to be part of the Charger family and I am looking forward to the 2017-2018 school year.

Amy Touchstone

Hello!  My name is Amy Touchstone and I am a graduate of Mississippi College.  This is my fourth year teaching and I am so excited to be a Charger!  When I am not teaching choir, voice lessons, or piano lessons, I like to play with my dogs (Ollie and Thea) and have guitar and ukulele duets with my husband.

Stephanie Turiak

Hello!  My name is Stephanie Turiak and I’ll be teaching sixth grade Social Studies.  This is my first year at Blythewood Middle School.  I’m so excited to be a Charger!  I graduated from Columbia College with a B.A in Middle Level Education and completed a minor in History.  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two cats.

Sharice Walker

Hello, my name is Sharice Walker and I am a proud graduate of Clemson University.  I have been an educator for nine years.  I currently reside in Orangeburg, SC.  I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education (English) two Master’s degrees, one in classroom leadership and another in Education Administration and Supervision.  Presently, I am working on an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.

Benjamin White

This is my seventh year as a teacher in Richland Two.  I graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education.  In addition, I have a Master of Science in Education for Educational Theory and Practice degree from Arkansas State University.  As a lifelong learner, education is an utmost priority for me.  My goal as an educator is to ensure that each of my students receive the tools that are needed to succeed in our global society, both academically and developmentally.  I am a native of the great state of South Carolina.  I was born in Charleston and relocated to Columbia in 1986.