Mrs. Hallmark is the Founder and Director of Learn Upstate Hybrid Academy and Learning Center. She received her BS from the University of Alabama in International Marketing / Spanish, but she knew even then she would eventually become a teacher. After college, she worked in various corporate environments managing Customer Service, Corporate Training, and Human Resources. She was blessed to stay home with her children in their early years before going back to school to fulfill her dream. She received her Master’s in Teaching from Anderson University, and she taught in various school environments throughout Anderson County.
As a public and private school teacher, she was able to work with diverse groups of students and families, witnessing firsthand their struggles in learning. Eventually, she found her calling in the homeschool environment. With four children, who each learn very differently, Mrs. Hallmark realized something more was needed outside of the normal classroom. She understands that families need an environment where student needs are met on their level. Moreover, an education that is individually tailored for the student in an environment meant to promote success while inspiring confidence. This mission led to private tutoring out of the library, and after only a short time, the founding of LU Hybrid Academy.
The aspect she enjoys most about teaching is the challenge of helping students see success in school where they might not have in the past. She especially enjoys creating new ways to learn and collaborating with her staff to build confidence in learners. Mrs. Hallmark is married to Joey Hallmark and has four children, Gabe(20), Cole(18), Lucy(12) and Nora (12). In her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, reading books, and spending time with friends and family.
Mrs. Dunn graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from New Mexico State University. Her experience ranges from private school Kindergarten to 3rd grade public school. She also taught English to students in China via the online platform VIPKid.
Debbie and her husband Kelly, originally from Southern Colorado, moved to Anderson in 2020. They have 2 children, and she was afforded the opportunity to homeschool them for six years.
Andrea is a graduate of Clemson University with Bachelor's degrees in History and Education.
After college, she worked with Anderson District One in several capacities, from Kindergarten to Middle School. She also has experience teaching at Trinity Methodist Preschool in the PreK program. She has been with Learn Upstate since the fall of 2020 where she has taught K - 2nd grade.
Andrea is mom to Finley and Adalynn, and her furry, four-legged Golden, Max. She is a huge Clemson fan, a lover of all things PINK, and cookie dough is her Jam!
She is looking forward to start the 2022-2023 school year at Learn Upstate.
Mrs. Stevison holds her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University and her Master's degree in Special Education from Tennessee Temple University. She has been in the classroom for 18 years and an assistant principal for 3 years.
Mrs. Stevison and her husband Brian have been married for 23 years. They were blessed with twins, Claire and Grant, who are recent high school graduates and are attending college this fall.
When she is not teaching, she loves to read, travel, and now figure out how to adjust her life with a newly empty nest.
Mrs. Stevison's goal is to help students reach their God given potential.
Mrs. Henderson is a graduate of Ball State University with Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary and Special Education. She brings with her 18 years of classroom experience, having taught in Illinois, Indiana and South Carolina. Most recently she taught an Upper Elementary classroom for a Montessori school.
Jeanie has been married to her husband Bud for 16 years and they have twins, Greyson and Thomas, who are starting middle school this fall. She loves working in her garden and with all of her plants, reading way past her bedtime, traveling and spending time with her people.
She is looking forward to an exciting year being back in the classroom at Learn Upstate.
Mrs. Coker has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Erskine College and a Masters in Teaching from Clemson University. She has been teaching for 39 years, with 36 of those years spent teaching in Anderson District 5. The last three were spent at New Covenant in Anderson.
Mrs. Coker and her husband Buddy, lifelong residents of Anderson, have been married for 37 years. They have two grown children, Chas and Molly. They have four amazing grandchildren: Jude (6), Clark (4), Kennedy (4) and Mary Allen (2). Mrs. Coker enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren in her spare time.
Amy Rexrode graduated from Winthrop University with a B.S. in Business Administration (major in Accounting), and from Virginia Tech with a Master’s in Business Administration (major in Human Resources).
She worked for several years as a Human Resource Manager and Corporate Recruiter before feeling led to become a stay-at-home wife and mom. Mrs. Rexrode has always been a teacher at heart. Even in business, her passion was Training & Development, and throughout her life she has taught children, or teens, in a variety of church and community activities. She taught preschool for several years at a local Christian school before deciding to homeschool her two children.
Mrs. Rexrode loves providing an engaging learning environment where children are inspired to explore the world around them. She currently serves as the Learn Upstate Elementary Science teacher.
Mrs. Anspach graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, obtaining her degree in Middle Grades Education with a minor in History. She has 9 years of diverse classroom experience, having taught in the Public, Magnet, and Charter school settings. Her specialty is Project Based Learning and STEM curriculum.
Mrs. Anspach is a military spouse with two children, and her husband Andrew is a Captain in the United States Air Force. The military life has afforded Mrs. Anspach and her family the opportunity to live in several regions of the United States. As a result, she’s taught in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nevada. Furthermore, she loves to travel and loves all things Disney.
Mrs. Anspach is very excited for the upcoming school year and looks forward to working with the Learn Upstate families!!
Ms. Martin is said to have started her teaching career at 10 years old. As the middle child of five, she taught her six year old sister math and science. She then went on to receive her B.A. from Clemson University in Elementary Education and her Masters from Clemson in Learning Disabilities. She completed her formal education at Converse University in Spartanburg, graduating with an Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision.
Ms. Martin has extensive experience in the classroom having taught taught K-5 in Spartanburg for five years and in Anderson for two years. Lastly, she taught at Lakeside Middle School in District 5 teaching 6th-8th for 10 years.
Ms. Martin is a lifelong resident of South Carolina and an avid gardener. Her neighbors say her yard is the prettiest in the neighborhood, and she has been accused of having two green thumbs!
Linda Clipperton teaches middle school Language Arts and high school Spanish for Learn Upstate. Mrs. Clipperton completed her Bachelor’s degree, graduating magna cum laude, in Education, with a minor in English from Bob Jones University in 1988. In 1999, she earned a Spanish certification from Rio Grande Bible and Language Institute as she lived in Argentina for four years.
Mrs. Clipperton taught Spanish I and II, middle school and high school Language Arts, and Resource Math for 3 and a half years at Easley Christian School. She spent another year tutoring various ages in English as a Second Language, Spanish, middle school Math, Literature, and Reading Comprehension for Core Languages.
Linda homeschooled all four of her children and all have gone on to attend college. She particularly enjoys the middle school students as she can watch them grow and mature. During her free time, Linda enjoys singing, playing the piano, learning new words, reading novels, and petting her cat Speckles.
Mr. Schaefer attended the University of Louisville where he was awarded his BS in Chemistry. After, he earned his MA in Management from Central Michigan University. In furthering his education, Mr. Schaefer took continuing education courses at Loyola College Baltimore, George Washington University, College of Charleston, and Southern Illinois University.
He served in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and as a Naval Officer. After, his career took him to laboratories at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Smithtown Hospital, and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He has also taught at Porter Gaud School in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College, City Colleges of Chicago, and Learn Upstate.
Mrs. Amy Hunt is a graduate of USCS, earning her BA in elementary education. She spent the past 18 years teaching in Phoenix, AZ with grades 4 - 8 in a STEM project based classroom.
Mrs. Hunt family includes her "wonderful" husband and 4 "delightful" children. However, the sparkle in her eyes is derived from spending time with her 2 grandchildren, Atticus and Emory.
When Mrs. Hunt is not in the classroom, she can be found tending her chickens, baking bread, working in the garden, or making soap and herbal remedies.
Ms. Elliot teaches high school History for Learn Upstate.
Mr. Tilson teaches middle and high school math for Learn Upstate.
Mrs. Sizemore teaches high school English at Learn Upstate.
Mr. Sizemore teaches high school Science at Learn Upstate.
Mrs. Bruynell is a graduate of Liberty University with her Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Marketing.
Heather discovered her love of teaching when she worked in her sons’ preschool for 12 years. After working as a long-term substitute in elementary Special Ed for District 5, she became passionate about helping children with reading difficulties. As a result, she is trained in the Orton-Gillingham method through the Orton-Gillingham Academy. Further, she was a Reading Intervention Teacher for three years in a public elementary school.
Though a native of Raleigh, NC, Heather has lived in Anderson for 22 years. Heather and her husband Tim have two sons, one in college and the youngest leaving for college in the fall, three grown daughters, one precious new granddaughter, and a loyal Cairn Terrier, Walker.
"I am so thrilled to be joining the Learn Upstate team!"
Grace Gaston is a senior at Clemson University and will be attending MUSC next fall. Her primary role is to help the teachers with their punctual needs so they are better able to concentrate on classroom instruction.
Chrissy Cox attended Toccoa Falls College to study Missions. She has worked with children for over 20 years in different capacities including teaching preschool, Co-Director for after school care, and Elementary Aide for the last 6 years.
Chrissy is originally from Florida and has lived in Anderson for 24 years. She is married to Mike and they have 4 children & a son-in-law; Sophia (22) & her husband, Grayson (22), Kellett (19), Mary Eva (13), and Whit (12). They also have several pets, including a cocker spaniel, 2 cats, and a horse.
Chrissy home-schooled her oldest 2 children for several years when they were younger, and she is excited to be back in the homeschooling community with her younger 2 children who will be joining Learn Upstate this year as well.
In her spare time, she loves to read, go to the beach, watch old movies, and shop for antiques.