Meet our Spartanburg Tutoring Staff

Ginger Hamwright joined Sylvan Learning of Spartanburg in August 2015 and has served throughout the center in a variety of roles. In 2022 she assumed the role of Center Director. The mother of two elementary boys, Ginger understands the education environment and enjoys helping students and families achieve the best in education. Students love Ginger's engaging personality, and parents enjoy her interactive conference style. Originally from Philadelphia, Ginger received her degree in Social Relations from Cheyney University. When Ginger isn't at Sylvan, she enjoys singing in her church choir, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Lizz Black joined the Sylvan team in August 2016. From a family of educators, Lizz developed a love of teaching and formerly taught in Union County. After several years of being an excellent tutor and lead teacher with us, she is now our Director of Education. She will use her wealth of knowledge to oversee the educational integrity of our programs, manage and train our tutors, and meet with parents.  Her hobbies include cross-stitching, archery, cooking, and judging robotics competitions.

Koretta Parker joined the Sylvan team in August 2016. She holds a Masters in the Art of Teaching from USC Upstate and is especially adept at teaching beginning readers. Her patient personality and engaging manner place our youngest students at ease.  Koretta also teaches for the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. In her free time, Koretta enjoys walking her dogs and spending time with family, but she especially enjoys the Low Country boil and oyster roast in Georgetown on the day after Christmas.

Shelly Hughes joined the Sylvan team in October 2019. She has over 12 years' experience in the classroom but now enjoys volunteering and providing foster care. At Sylvan Shelly not only teaches reading and math but also assesses new students. In addition, she manages the learning plans for reading and math, making skill adjustments, as well as recommending teaching strategies and materials to provide the targeted growth that makes Sylvan the leader in the tutoring industry.

Acacia Ritter joined the Sylvan team in September 2016. A passionate elementary teacher with a special affinity for math, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, as well as a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction of math education.  Acacia has spent several years teaching in Title 1 schools but currently teaches 5th grade at High Point Academy. Acacia has a love for sunsets and enjoys them as often as she can.

Anita Zemke joined the Sylvan team in August 2017. She holds a B.A. in biology and a Master of Associate Medical Sciences in biocommuncation arts. Anita made a career change and completed a teacher preparation program. Anita teaches math and reading at Sylvan, but when she's not here, she enjoys playing tennis and traveling with her husband, especially to historical sites.

Melissa Deloach joined the Sylvan team in May 2019. By day she's the Director of the Scholar's Academy for Spartanburg County, but in the evenings and on Sundays, she manages our college prep program, including SAT/ACT prep and College Reading Strategies. Melissa holds degrees from Clemson University and Converse College. When she isn't helping teens prepare for college either here or at the Scholar's Academy, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Sandi Nazworth joined the Sylvan team in June 2021. She holds a BA in history education and an M.Ed. in distributive education. She is certified in history education and in elementary education, but she has spent most of her career teaching at the elementary level. Originally from Florida, she now makes Spartanburg her home where she is a member of the Spartanburg Historical Society. She also enjoys hiking, kayaking, walking, gardening, and reading.

Dione Williams joined the Sylvan team in January 2015. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, as well as two master's degrees, one in elementary education and one in technology in education. Dione currently teaches gifted/talented students in District 7. She enjoys reading a good book, getting mani/pedis, and especially watching those "aha" moments when students figure something out.

Madi Gardin completed her degree in special education from Winthrop in May 2019 and joined the Sylvan team in June. She enjoys teaching Sylvan STEM classes, as well as our math and reading students. She also enjoys knitting and controlling the Sims universe from the comfort of her home with a cat in her lap.

Alexis Rodriguez joined the Sylvan team in January 2022. She holds multiple certifications in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)  and especially enjoys working with our youngest readers. A mother of three, Alexis also enjoys volunteering through her church.

Sharia Warren joined the Sylvan team in March 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in classroom leadership. She currently teaches science in Spartanburg District 6 and enjoys watching students' faces light up when they understand a new concept.

Sarah Bezuidenhout joined the Sylvan team in February 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and German studies from Converse and a master's degree in medieval studies from the University of Ireland. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Iana Krokhmal joined the Sylvan team in March 2022. Fluent in Russian, Iana most recently lived in Washington state. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education but also enjoys teaching upper-level math, as well as working with children at her church.

Jennifer Nockels joined the Sylvan team in June 2021. A graduate of Converse College, she holds teaching certifications in elementary and early childhood education. Jennifer is also very involved in the Spartanburg Little Theatre and enjoys reading, movies, and time with family and friends.

Judy Gibbs-Gray joined the Sylvan team in February 2022. She has extensive experience as a reading specialist and an elementary teacher. She also loves teaching writing and has managed several reading and writing programs in schools. She holds both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in reading from Winthrop.  

Asylnn Halvorson serves as  an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science and Human Performance at Newberry College.  She received her bachelor's and master's in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee and is pursuing her EdD in Kinesiology through UNC Greensboro.
A former college athlete, she has coached shotput, discus, and other sports for several high schools, clubs and colleges. Aslynn’s hobbies include reading, drawing, playing violin and guitar, dancing, and competing in highland games. She dreams of breaking into the Top 10 in North America and competing in a Women’s National Highland Games Championship. We're cheering for her!

Dr. Jeff, as his Sylvan students call him, graduated from Furman University in 1995. He then held a variety of college-level roles as graduate student, program coordinator, and instructor for the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College while also serving as a zookeeper at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. With a focus on genetics and ecology, Dr. French finished his graduate work in biology and currently serves as Chair of Biology and Assistant Dean of Science and Math at North Greenville University. In his "free time", he enjoys preparing students for the SAT and ACT as a LIVE, online instructor for Sylvan. 

Tracy Levi holds a bachelor's degree in zoology and a master's degree In civil engineering. For eleven years she served as a civil engineer in Florida, working primarily with storm water management and water quality programs. Since moving to Asheville, she has enjoyed teaching Hebrew and Judaica to religious school students and teaching reading and math at Sylvan. She also teaches SAT/ACT math through our LIVE, online classes. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys the company of her two daughters and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. She also has a passion for music and plays keyboard in a local band.

Breanne Murrell is a senior at Clemson University majoring in Secondary Math Education. Breanne’s ultimate goal is to work with 6th through 8th graders in a middle school, but for now she's helping high school seniors prepare for college entry through our SAT/ACT Prep program. Breanne looks forward to graduation and finishing her degree and helping more students succeed.