Engage - Explore - Excel

Jennifer Nockels
Jennifer Nockels graduated from Converse College with a degree in Deaf Education with additional certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood education. She previously worked with infants and toddlers with hearing losses in North Carolina and has been a nanny for children from infants to preschool. Ms. Nockels was most recently at Palmetto Prep where she worked as a rotator in the Infant, Toddler, and Pre-Prepper rooms. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to movies with friends, and volunteering at the Spartanburg Little Theatre.

Jill DeCastro
Jill DeCastro is a New York native who has worked with children for the past 20 years. After visiting the Upstate in the Spring of 1999, she fell in love with Greenville and moved here several months later. Jill attended Greenville Tech with course work in Early Childhood Education. While at Greenville Tech, she earned an Early Childhood Credential. Jill was most recently at Palmetto Prep where she taught for six years in the Infant and Toddler rooms. When she is not teaching her Toddlers, Jill enjoys baking, golfing, and attending baseball games with her family.

Ciara Glenn
Ciara Glenn is a native of Union, SC. She and her family came to Greenville in 1999, where she graduated from Hillcrest High School. Ms. Glenn realized her passion for children while participating in a teacher cadet program in high school, where she volunteered at Simpsonville Elementary School. Ciara has worked with children for years, but most recently was a nanny where she was in charge of the children's daily schedules, taught reading, writing, and math, and coordinated field trips for the family. Ciara began working at Carolina Prep as a long-term substitute teacher in May 2011. In her free time, Ms. Glenn enjoys reading, playing her guitar, and spending time with her family and friends.

Joy Motz
Joy Motz was born and raised in Greenville, SC. Mrs. Motz has worked in childcare since 1999. She has served as an after-school teacher, after-school site director and day camp director at the Eastside Family YMCA. Most recently she was an after-school/day camp teacher at Palmetto Prep. Joy enjoys working with children and spending time with her family.

Ellen Stephens
Ellen Stephens is a South Carolina native and a graduate of Lander University. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in counseling and has completed all required coursework for a Masters of Arts in Teaching in elementary education. She has also studied special education, early childhood education, and development at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has experience in both pre-school and primary school classrooms, and served as an assistant to the director at an early childhood education center. Ms. Stephens enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

Julie Townsend
Julie Townsend grew up in Greenville, SC. Julie holds a 2-year Certificate in Early Childhood Education and an Associate of Arts degree from Spartanburg Technical College. She is currently in school at USC Upstate, working toward a B.A. in Psychology, with a concentration in Education. Julie has worked in child care since 1995 with children ranging in age from infants to After School, but has spent most of her career with 2- and 3-year-olds. She has also spent time working with the Meyers Center and the Rainbow Games to help children with special needs. Ms. Townsend was most recently a 2-year-old teacher at Palmetto Prep, and has worked with Carolina Prep since August 2010. In her spare time, Julie enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with family, friends, and her miniature chihuahua.

Melissa Sharpless
Melissa Sharpless grew up in Sumter, South Carolina and graduated from Laurence Manning Academy. She received a BA in Elementary Education from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Mrs. Sharpless taught pre-school in Sumter for three years before moving to Greenville. She taught K4 for four years at Trinity Methodist Kindergarten. Melissa was most recently a Prepper teacher at Palmetto Prep, where she taught for 3 years. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Brittany Black
Brittany Black grew up in South Carolina, and recently graduated from North Greenville University with a B.A. in Elementary Education. She student taught in second grade in Pickens County. She grew up with many siblings, which helped her develop a passion for teaching when she was young. Brittany has tutored children of all ages in many After School programs, and currently teaches Sunday School for her church. She loves to teach children about technology and computers. Brittany has been a Carolina Prep substitute teacher and Summer Camp teacher since April 2011.

Brittaney Baker
Brittaney Baker grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from Wade Hampton High School. She received a BS Degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Mrs. Baker taught First Grade at Ellen Woodside Elementary School and substituted in the Greenville County School District. She has always loved teaching children and has worked with children of all ages both at school and her church. Mrs. Baker enjoys spending time with her husband and reading a good book.

Kathy Ryan
Kathy Ryan is a native of New Hampshire. She and her family moved to Greenville in the fall of 2006 to be closer to her family. Kathy has worked with children of different ages helping out with ballet classes and in an elementary school setting. previously, Mrs. Ryan was a teacher at Palmetto Prep for 4 years. Kathy has been with Carolina Prep since March 2011. She enjoys her family, exercising, hiking, iced coffees, and bargain hunting.