Welcome to Special Areas
Ms. Anderson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from South Carolina State University and her Master’s degree in Education from Francis Marion University. She also received her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. She completed additional studies through Coastal Carolina University. She received National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist in 2003. Ms. Anderson has spent twenty-six years in the education profession. In her spare time, she loves shopping, reading, traveling, working with her sorority, spending time with her family, and attending football games at South Carolina State University.
Ms. Cook graduated from Francis Marion University with an undergraduate degree and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. After sixteen years as a second and third grade teacher, she earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from USC. Ms. Cook loves Savannah Grove School! She has worked at the school for thirty-five years.
Mrs. Greenway earned her bachelors degree from Francis Marion University. She teaches kindergarten art at Savannah-Grove and also teaches at Del-Mae and Wallace-Gregg.
Coach Griggs
- PE Teacher
Coach Griggs graduated from Winthrop University with a BS in Physical
Education. He is currently completing his Masters degree from the United
States Sports Academy. He has been teaching at Savannah Grove for seven
years. He also coaches baseball at South Florence High School, and a
travel baseball team during the summer. He enjoys playing all kinds of
sports and spending time with his family. Coach Griggs is the biggest
GAMECOCK fan at Savannah Grove, and rarely misses a USC football game.
Ms. Johnson has earned her BA in Music Pedagogy and Education from Coker College. She has been teaching for four years now. She is in her third year in Florence District 1. She works at Savannah Grove as the kindergarten music instructor and teaches at Timrod Elementary school as well. She enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music and spending time with her family.
Ms. Lee has been teaching stings in Florence School District 1 for eighteen years. She has a Bachelors of Science as well as a Bachelors of Music from Ball State University. She is currently teaching at four of the Florence 1 schools.
Mrs. McMillan is in her first year as the Media Center Assistant. fifth year as an assistant at Savannah Grove. This is her second year working with fourth grade. She loves working with all of the students. Mrs. McMillan enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.
Mrs. Morris earned her undergraduate and Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University. She has worked in Florence District 1 for 21 years. She has taught 1st-5th grades. She enjoys her position at Savannah Grove. She likes to cook and read during her free time.
Mrs. Oakley has been teaching music for twenty-six years. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina (GO GAMECOCKS) and a Master of Education degree from Francis Marion University. In her spare time, Mrs. Oakley enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Pickett received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion University, a Master's degree in Divergent Learning from Columbia College, Reading Recovery certification from Clemson University, and intervention training from SC Reading First. She has been teaching for twenty years. During this time she has taught Pre-K, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades. This is her first year at Savannah Grove. She is also a Literacy Lab teacher for first grade students. She is happily married and has children. She enjoys family, church, RV camping, and traveling.
Ms. Purvis is an Intervention Specialist for Florence District One. She serves four schools in District One: Savannah Grove, McLaurin, Carver, and Moore Intermediate. Ms. Purvis received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion College and her Masters in Education (Learning Disabilities) from Francis Marion University. She holds certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Mental Disabilities (EMD, TMD), Learning Disabilities, and holds National Board Certification in Exceptional Needs Birth to Twenty-One. Her days at Savannah Grove are Tuesday and Thursday. She is also in charge of the Early Intervention Services offered by the district at Savannah Grove for Kindergarten through Second Grade.
Mrs. Smith
- Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Smith received a BS in Physical Education from the University of South
Carolina and a Masters in Elementary School Counseling from Francis Marion
University. She taught PE for five years and this is currently her
eighteenth year as a school counselor. This is Mrs. Smith's sixth year at
Savannah Grove.
Mr. Bruce Snipes received a B.S. in elementary education from Francis Marion University in 1993 and an M.A. in speech/language pathology from South Carolina State University in 1995. He has been employed as a speech/language pathologist with Florence School District One since August of 1996. He enjoys playing tennis, playing his guitar, riding on his boat, and spending time with his family.
Ms. Souther works with kindergarten through second grade students who are served through EIS (Early Intervention Services). The EIS program is a district funded program implemented by the Intervention Specialists at the District Office. She is in her fourth year at Savannah Grove. Ms. Souther worked in the Literacy Lab at Lester before coming to Savannah Grove. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Computer Programming and an Associate of Arts in General Studies.
Coach Strait -
PE Teacher
Coach Strait graduated from The Citadel with a BS in Health, Exercise and
Sports Science. This is currently his third year working with Florence
School District One. When he is not teaching he coaches football at West
Florence High School. During his spare time he enjoys watching and playing
sports.
Mrs. Stephens received a B.S. in Business Administration from Francis Marion University. She also received a M.Ed. from Francis Marion University. She taught at Savannah Grove for ten years in first, third, and fourth grade. Mrs. Stephens then left to raise her children and taught at a private school in Florence and 4K at Highland Park for five years. This is currently Mrs. Stephens third year back at Savannah Grove. She works with Mrs. Pickett as an assistant in the literacy lab program for first graders. During her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Tallevast has earned her B.A. degree as well as her Masters degree.
Mrs. Taylor received her B.S. in Education from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor with a specialization in Art. She earned her Masters degree of Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion University. Mrs. Taylor is National Board Certified in Early/Middle Childhood Art. She loves teaching and sharing her passion for art with the students at Savannah Grove Elementary School.
Ms. Verner graduated from Francis Marion University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and received her master’s degree in Counseling from Webster University. She has been working in the field for seven years. This is her fifth year at the grove. She enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Williamson received her degree in Elementary Education from Coker College. She has been in education for fifteen years. This is her ninth year at Savannah Grove. Her hobbies are reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband Ron and their two sons, Ron Jr. and Jamie. Mrs. Williamson’s philosophy on teaching is: "It's not what is poured into a student that counts, but what is planted."