Harvest Community School is unique in that it provides children the opportunity to grow and develop into the amazing individuals God intended. All schools provide instruction in math, reading, grammar, science, and history. What sets HCS apart is how we provide that instruction plus so much more. Our classical approach to education offers Shakespeare, artist study, classical music, second language, and nature study while developing the unique God-given talents of your child. God's Holy Word is our cornerstone. We are so excited that we have reached our twelfth year!
Angie Bruner, M. Ed. - Headmaster; Middle/High School TeacherI graduated from the College of Charleston in 1993 with a degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education. I married that summer and began my journey in education that fall. The years passed, and my husband and I had two beautiful children. I even managed to earn a masters degree in Education Administration.
While my career was exciting and varied, I always felt as if something was missing from the education model. We decided to homeschool our oldest child because of my dissatisfaction with traditional education as well as my overwhelming desire for my children to have a fulfilling education. Once I discovered Charlotte Mason's ideas, all the missing pieces fell into place. I finally experienced seeing my children enjoy learning. I knew that this was how God intended for children to learn. I am humbled that God has chosen to use me to offer a Charlotte Mason education to our community. Tammy Glaser, M.S. O.R. - Curriculum; Middle/High School Mathematics TeacherI graduated from the Naval Academy in 1985 and planned to make the Navy a career. I tracked submarines, earned a masters degree, and recruited for the Navy. God had a better plan in mind. He gave me a loving family: Steve, my husband, and our children, Pamela and David. After our daughter developed autism, I found my true calling in education. I left the Navy in 1995 and started homeschooling. Both children are now adults: Pamela is a “non-traditional” student at Harvest (as she calls herself) and David is due to graduate with a bachelors degree this fall.
Shifting to Charlotte Mason's ideas began in 2000 with my children and later in church ministry. I was blessed to join AmblesideOnline when it was born! God has let me share these ideas with families, speak at conferences, and train public, charter, and private school teachers. For two years, a team of educators and I designed curriculum for the first Charlotte Mason charter school in the USA. I'm part of prov-en-der and similar groups. I'm thrilled to inspire teachers, students, and families to learn and love learning. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 Carla Nelson - Administrative Assistant
I am a proud mother of three amazing children that I daily thank God for giving me the opportunity to be their mother. We moved to South Carolina from Maryland many years ago, where I got what I thought was my dream job of being a criminal defense paralegal for Lexington County. Circumstances changed and we moved, eventually landing in Manning, SC. I was blessed to receive an offer of employment at Harvest where I realized, while I love criminal defense, this is where I am meant to be. I enjoy working with all of the students, staff, and families. Gabriel Collier, B.A. in Bible and Religion and English - Literature and Writing
I was raised in Holly Hill, South Carolina, but Summerton has always been a second home to me. Ever since I was fifteen, I have felt God’s call to ministry in His Kingdom, and when I was sixteen, I preached my first sermon. After graduating high school, God led me to Erskine College where my service in His Kingdom further developed and my love for teaching and education began. I graduated in the spring of 2025 summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Arts in both Bible and Religion and English. I was the top of my class with a 4.0 grade point average and departmental honors in my disciplines. I am an active member of St. Matthias’ Church in Summerton, and I am prayerfully discerning God’s calling into the priesthood. Faith, and its integration in education, has always been important to me. I choose to take the approach of St. Anselm: allow faith to seek understanding. I have never seen this more clearly demonstrated than at Harvest Community School. Harvest is a close family where students are engaged and understanding is sought through faith. I am grateful and blessed to be a part of this school and am excited to see where God leads us in the future! To God be the glory! Johanna Pressley, M.A. in Biblical Counseling - Violin Teacher
In Bible class I love helping students learn how to apply the rich resources found in Scripture to the practical issues they face in everyday life. In addition to teaching at Harvest, I work as an ACBC certified counselor at Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center in Charleston, holding a Masters Degree in Biblical Counseling from The Masters University in Santa Clarita, CA. I also hold music performance degrees from Idyllwild Arts Academy and the University of Minnesota. I perform and teach violin and viola, operating a private studio in Summerton and serving as an adjunct instrumental instructor at Charleston Southern University. My husband and I love to spend our time exploring all the beauty God has given for us to enjoy with our three delightful children. God has used Harvest Community School to pour out immeasurable blessings on our family since I joined the team in 2017. |
Lara Blaisedell, M. Ed.
I was born and raised in San Diego, CA. I raised three magnificent sons, who are now 26, 28, and 31 years old. My eldest made me a “grammy” of two dear grandchildren. Even though San Diego is beautiful, my husband and I now proudly call South Carolina home. We might be empty nesters but we have four coops full of chickens! We started with one coop but chicken math is a real thing! I graduated with honors from the University of Phoenix where I earned a masters degree in Education. I have taught K-9th grade for sixteen years. Along with teaching, I was a coach for 20 years in San Diego and at a private school in Darlington this past year. I coached boys’ lacrosse, high school girls’ soccer, tennis and softball, and youth soccer when my boys were young. This last year I taught 6th grade math, 7th grade math, 8th Pre-Algebra and Algebra at a private school in Darlington. However, I am blessed beyond measure to be returning to Harvest where the students and staff are family. KJ McCoon, B.A. in Education - Elementary Teacher
I grew up in Orangeburg county, and graduated Cum Laude from South Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in May of 2002. I began my teaching career in Orangeburg county public schools in August of 2002. I have been a certified SC educator for over twenty years and love working with children. I have taught students in Grades 2-12 in public, private, online, and homeschool settings. I am a SC certified teacher in the areas of elementary education, middle school math, and science, and I have my endorsements for gifted education. My family has lived in Clarendon County for many years. We are members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Manning, SC. My husband and I have three children and three grandchildren. Our oldest daughter and her husband live near Houston, Texas and are the loving parents of our three precious grandchildren. Our youngest children have attended Harvest for several years and have helped us learn just how special the school is. I am excited to be at Harvest this year, and for having the opportunity to help the elementary students grow and learn. Gwen Wright, B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Primary Teacher
I am a native of Santee, SC. I am married to the love of my life, Deacon William Jenkins Wright. Together we are the proud parents of five children: two girls, Diane and Wendy, and three sons, James, David (deceased), and Michael. I attended South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Elementary Education. After traveling for many years, I settled back in Orangeburg County and began working at Orangeburg District 4 in the special needs department. I have worked in the school system for over 16 years. This is my first Charlotte Mason school, and I am really enjoying myself. I can be a Christian at home, at church and now in the workplace. Now I can really do Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” Harry Nettles, B.A. in Religious Studies - History and Science Teacher
I was born and raised in Tennessee until I volunteered to join the Navy and see the world, which I did in one submarine at a time. When I wasn’t busy navigating under the sea, I lived in exotic locations like Hawaii and the Florida Keys. Advancement in rank added the responsibility of training young sailors and inexperienced officers. The land-based duty that Uncle Sam assigned to me involved education. While teaching piloting and navigation at the submarine training center in Charleston for three years, I earned an associates of science degree. I taught the science of seamanship, navigation, and naval operations to naval cadets attending George Washington University for three years. After that, I taught science and physics for several years. By the time I retired as a Quartermaster Command Master Chief, I realized that I enjoyed mentoring young adults. I decided to go for more education and earned my bachelors degree. In spite of patrols and strategic missions which I cannot discuss, I married and helped raise four children. My wife Lee and I enjoy the water so much that we lived on a sailboat for 15 years. What a delight it was for me to come to Harvest and share my expertise in sailing with middle schoolers as we read together The Brendan Voyage. My wife Lee, who is a substitute teacher, and I also had fun teaching knot-tying for handwork this year. |