Jarrika Coutchure graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science with minors in Geology and Secondary Education. She continued her education and earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and plans to continue to earn her Ph.D. Jarrika has worked in education related fields for 16 years and truly enjoys working with children of all ages and learning styles.

Jarrika has a son and a step-daughter with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys coaching and playing coed softball with her husband. She also enjoys singing in the praise team at church with her father and spending as much time as possible with her very large family. She is one of seven children, which she believes helped lead her to the path of education.

Bruce Vinson is a native of Waxhaw, North Carolina and a member of Marvin AME Zion Church. He graduated from Sun Valley High School in 1981 and joined the United States Army soon after graduation in 1981. He received certification as an Army Instructor through Cadet Command in 2004. He earned an Associates in General Studies and Criminal Justice from Central Texas College and a Masters of Arts in Human Services with a minor in Executive Leadership from Liberty University.

After retiring from the military in 2004, he accepted a JROTC position at Anson High
School in Wadesboro, North Carolina for a period of six years. Afterward he accepted another JROTC position in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as a JROTC Instructor at Garinger High School. Throughout his teaching career he has educated students in life skills, career and college ready programs, use of technology, as well as counseled students on their pathway to success. He also mentored new teachers and served on numerous school committees.

Brittany Zessin was born and raised in Fort Mill, SC. After graduating high school in 2007, she attended York Technical College where she graduated with a certificate in Dental Assisting. She worked as a Dental Assistant for 10 years where she was able to work hands on with the Doctor and build lasting relationships with patients. 

She has a beautiful school-aged daughter and a sweet baby boy. In her free time she enjoys photography, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Lisa Wakefield has been teaching for over 25 years and has a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a Master’s in Eductional Counseling. She also has a teaching certification in Montessori for Elementary.

She has been married to her husband for over 25 years and they have three wonderful children together. Lisa and her husband moved to North Carolina the summer of 2015 form Arizona and recently relocated to Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Erin Knowles was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She attended CPCC and then transferred to Catawba college and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children for over 10 years in a professional setting. Erin started working as a teacher in childcare centers and then moved into an administration position, eventually taking a role as a curriculum coordinator for the previous center she worked at. Children are her passion and she is very excited about joining our Marvin team this year!  

Erin lives in Lancaster, SC with her husband and two children. She loves being outside and hanging out with her family and friends on the weekends. 

Coming Soon!

Tiffany is a Fort Mill High School graduate.  She received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University in 2008.  She received her Master's Degree in Reading and Math from Walden University in 2011.  She taught in the Fort Mill Public School District for 10 years- 8 years in 2nd grade and 2 years in 3rd grade.  While in the public school system, she hosted several early childhood high school and college students as part-time interns.  She is currently taking courses to renew her teaching certification and receive her Read to Succeed Foundations of Reading credits.

Tiffany is married to a firefighter and has two daughters.  In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family playing outside or going on new adventures.  She also likes to read, run, shop, cook, and bake. 

Rachael Terrell graduated from John Carrol in 2004.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating college, she moved to North Carolina from Ohio to teach school. She taught in the Burke County Public School System for 8 years, working with grades 3 and 4. 

Rachael has two young boys and enjoys spending her free time with her boys riding bikes, swimming, and serving at church and in the community.

Erika Hornsby was born and raised in Waxhaw, NC. Throughout high school and college, she worked with infants to preschool-aged children in a daycare setting. After graduating from high school she went to UNC Charlotte and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2017. Erika received her professional educator license and taught first grade for 5 years at UCPS. Erika has a passion for teaching children and is very excited to join the Marvin Academy team! 

Erika currently lives in Indian Trail, NC with her husband and toddler. In her spare time, she likes to be outside, spend time with family, read books, and travel. Erika loves being active in her church community with her family. 

Lauren was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. After graduating high school, she went to Gardner-Webb University and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education in 2012. She worked with children from birth to 5 years old in the preschool setting after graduating college. In 2015, Lauren began working for CMS, staying with them for 5 years. In her time at CMS she taught 1st, 4th, and 5th grade. She was also accepted into the Teacher-Leadership Pathway while working for CMS, which is a program for teachers with a history of high student impact. She continues this passion of striving to reach every student and give them an equitable, rigorous, and comprehensive education here at Marvin Academy. 

Lauren has two cats, Chris Harrison and Leo, and a corgi named Lucy James. When not watching Netflix and relaxing with her fur babies, Lauren enjoys spending time with family or participating in game nights with friends. 

Coming Soon!

Cathy received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Ohio University.   She has a diversified background in both Private and Public Schools.  Cathy continued her education by receiving certification in the Teaching of Gifted and Talented Students as well as acting as Grade Level Coordinator and played an important part in the implementation of new procedures and policies (known as the principals' committee).  Cathy also served as Secretary of the local Harley Owners Group and is actively involved in several major charities.

 She enjoys spending her free time with her family, exercising and riding her Harley!

Karalyn Doyle grew up in Boca Raton, Fl. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida International University with her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and plans on obtaining her master’s degree in School Counseling. She has taught lower and upper elementary grades, as well as middle school science. 

Karalyn and her husband Mike have two little boys and have recently moved to Waxhaw. In her spare time she loves to cook, crochet, craft, go on hikes and play sports with her family and their golden retriever Sophie.  

Miriam Spitzer Franklin has over twenty years of teaching experience in 3rd through 8th
grade, with a focus on teaching reading and writing. She considers herself an expert on
children's literature, and is a published author of middle grade novels. She has published three books: Extraordinary, Call Me Sunflower, and Emily Out of Focus.

She lives with her husband and two daughters in Charlotte.

Sandra graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Middle Grades Mathematics Education. Sandra received her professional educator license and has been teaching for over 20 years, mostly in math and science grades K-11.

She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two children. Sandra loves to travel and volunteer in her spare time

Patti Uribe graduated from Elon University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education.  She brings with her over 20 years of teaching experience across all grades, K-12. 

Patti and her husband have two children.  In her spare time she loves to watch her children play sports, traveling with her family to Colombia, SA and spending time with the families English bulldog Bella.

Victor Vicéns is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico where he grew up and graduated from High School. After attending the University of Sacred Heart, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served for the next 22 years, finally retiring in 2008. He attended Georgia Southern University in Savannah, Georgia graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor's in Spanish with Teaching Certification. He has over 9 years of teaching experience and has worked in public and private schools at all grade levels.  
 
Victor has two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and eating out, live music, and exploring everything Charlotte has to offer.  

 

Becky Jones was born and raised in South Florida and moved to Charlotte in 2016 with her family. She has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and previously taught 1st/2nd Grade for 10 years while living in South Florida. She received her 200-hour yoga certification in 2021 and started teaching youth yoga immediately. Becky has a passion for children and yoga which she gets to combine here at Marvin Academy as the Yoga/Mindfulness Teacher.

In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, exercising, spending time with family/friends, traveling, reading, and cooking.