Meet Our Instructors!
Finding Inspiration in Every Child
Oak and Sparrow Learning Lab
Ericka Lamb
Ericka homeschools her son, who has been homeschooled since kindergarten and is currently in high school. She has a degree in Engineering Design Graphic. She is certified by NGPF in numerous financial literacy courses. Her goal in the classroom is to promote a laid-back and engaging atmosphere so that students will enjoy their learning experience. She strives to assign work that allows students to feel challenged as well as confident in their abilities to succeed.
She is also the Assistant Director for At Home In the Lowcountry.
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Dr. Kate McFadden
Dr. Kate McFadden earned her Ph. D. in history from the University of South Carolina in 2018. She has dived on submerged Civil War shipwrecks, worked as part of the Hunley archaeological team, and, most importantly, according to her two-year-old, helped restore the trolley car featured in Daniel Tiger. Kate returned home in 2020 to homeschool her own children. The students love to take Kate's classes because she is such a fun and engaging instructor. She brings a wealth of knowledge to all of her classes with her multiple degrees.
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Mary Polt
Mary has been homeschooling her children for many years. She graduated two of her students and is currently homeschooling her youngest. She loves piecing together her curriculum and learning through adventuring with her kids. She is confident art and crafting are so important to build confidence, strengthen motor skill, offer an outlet to express emotions and encourage entrepreneurship. Skills that will last a lifetime. She loves finding connections with her students, teaching the history of art and showing them that anyone can create! Outside of Oak and Sparrow she teaches art to the special needs community through private in-home instruction.
It is one of the biggest joys in her life!
Pam Hodges
Pam taught in the public school for seven years before returning home to homeschool her three boys. She has experience teaching kindergarten through fifth grade. She spent a year teaching special needs children. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and her Master of Education from the College of Charleston. She believes that learning should be fun and engaging. This shows in the laughter coming from her classes!
Amy Dougherty
Amy is a Marine Corps veteran and a dedicated wife and mother of five children, ranging in age from 9 to 23 years old. She has a decade of homeschooling experience as well as five years of teaching at a private Christian school. She is passionate about education and creativity in her classes.
Amy is currently pursuing a Master's in Education from Liberty University.
Liz Nisi
Liz is a former public school teacher, who loves teaching younger children. She has years of experience in daycare work. Liz homeschools her son in fifth grade and her daughter, who is currently a high school student. She is the instructor for our preschool students! They absolutely love her. She makes this such a fun and educational preschool!
Devon Polt
Devon brings his unique background as a homeschooled student and graduate to his instruction. He works well with students of all ages. Devon is the instructor in the Lego Clubs, Gaming Clubs and Chess Club. He is dedicated to the kids and they love him! Devon is a huge asset to our team. Devon is currently a student at Trident Technical College.
Ashley Rodriguez
Ashley is a homeschool teacher for her five children Pre-K through 10th grade. Two of whom have special needs, giving her experience in this area. She believes teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning. She has a passion for teaching and feels the most rewarding part of teaching is watching children grow and meet their goals.
Ashley brings her vibrant personality and love of children to our staff!
Christopher Rodriguez
Chris, along with his wife Ashley, is a homeschool parent of five children Pre-K through 10th grade. He is an Army Veteran and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science at Trident Technical College. Chris has been involved with technology for his entire life, so it is natural for him to teach it. Students learning about technology is very important, but learning about the future of technology is invaluable in a growing world that relies on it. Chris brings his knowledge to students in a way they can understand!
We are so happy to have him instructing the computer science and robotics classes for the high school students.
Jennifer Episcopo
Jenn is a homeschool mom to her son. She has her master degree in Mental Health Counselling from Mercy College in New York. She has also worked as a paramedic and emergency service dispatcher. Jenn and her husband both are 911 survivors and returns to New York every year for the anniversary of 911. She is passionate about teaching and promotes a love for learning in her classes.
Her experience as a counsellor has made her life skills classes one of our most popular classes. We are very excited about having her teach at Oak and Sparrow.
Rashelle Houck
Rashelle is a homeschool parent of two children in grades 3rd and 8th. In addition to being an instructor at Oak and Sparrow she is the owner of The Sugared Magnolia Bakery. Her experience includes teaching for eleven years and serving as the director for a preschool for six years. She teaches multiple clubs and classes at Oak and Sparrow ranging from kindergarten through twelfth grades. Her many skills are a huge asset to Oak and Sparrow!
Brooke Smith
Brooke was born and raised in Fresno, California where she studied child development to obtain a degree in Liberal Studies. She worked as a nanny to six children for 3 years before relocating to South Carolina with her husband, Jake. Her husband works at Creekside Church and they serve the student and kids ministries there. The most important thing to her is her love for Jesus. She passes this love on to the kids she teaches. The kids love to be in Brooke's classes. She makes them so much fun!