Faculty and Staff

Stephanie was born in Huntington, WV where she studied music and dance throughout her school career. After being accepted to Marshall University as a John Marshall Scholar to study science, she took a break from academics to have her two amazing sons. They inspired her to pursue her passion for educating children. Stephanie returned to Marshall and completed a BA in Elementary Education, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and earned the Certificate of Excellence on the Principles of Teaching and Learning Exam.

After spending time as a substitute teacher in many special education classrooms, Stephanie returned to Marshall and earned her MA in Learning Disabilities, Mental Impairments, and Behavior Disorders. Meanwhile, she served as a special educator and primary grade classroom teacher in Cabell County Schools and provided training to new teachers on inquiry-based approaches to science.

In 2013, Stephanie was given the opportunity to attend Expeditionary Learning’s National Conference in Baltimore and was bitten by the EL bug! She worked the following two years to prepare for the opening of the first EL school in West Virginia, Explorer Academy. Stephanie is now relocating to the DC area and has found a new EL home at Two Rivers.