About Us
Hope Halfacre
My dream of becoming a teacher began when I was 5 years old after playing “school” for hours on end with my sisters. I was inspired to become a teacher by my mom who taught elementary school for over 40 years. After graduating with my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, I taught second grade for eight years. While teaching second grade, I wanted to go back to school and pursue her Masters degree. I obtained my Masters degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College. I did not stop my pursuit of higher education there. I went on to obtain my Masters plus 30 in Technology for the Classroom from La Verne University, earned a certificate in Leading Change for Administrators and Aspiring Administrators from Harvard University, and began my Doctor of Education program in Administration for Teaching and Learning from Walden University. I spent three years teaching first grade in a private school in Columbia, SC before moving back to my hometown to teach first grade in Lexington School District One. I am a passionate life-long learner and an advocate for children. Three years ago, I had the amazing opportunity to become a Lead Interventionist. Every day, I get to spend part of my days teaching students and the other half coaching teachers in ways they can support their striving learners in their classrooms.
Whitney Umbarger
I found my passion for teaching while I attended the University of South Carolina as an Early Childhood Education major. I went on to teach traditional first grade for seven years, and first grade Spanish Immersion for four years in Lexington School District One at Gilbert Elementary School. I discovered my love for consulting with colleagues on best practices when I was named the district's first Response To Intervention Model Classroom. I was then presented with an opportunity to serve as a kindergarten through 5th grade interventionist, and to receive Reading Recovery training through Clemson University. I have enjoyed working with students at the various grade levels, and also modeling high leverage literacy moves for teachers to accelerate reading growth. I recently received a Master’s of Education in Administration Degree from Southern Wesleyan University. I am looking forward to joining the faculty at Pelion Elementary this fall as their Literacy Coach!