Ms. Liz Porter has taught preschool and kindergarten for the past 15 years, eight of which have been at Macfeat. She has a Master’s degree in Child and Family Development from UNC Charlotte and a South Carolina K-6 teaching license. In Ms. Porter’s multi-age kindergarten classroom, children learn South Carolina State Standards through integrated units of study projects. These projects are driven by the children’s interests and offer them diverse opportunities to create, explore, inquire, and problem-solve. According to Ms. Porter, “I enjoy working at Macfeat because I am able to provide children with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. My goal is to provide the children a classroom environment that is reflective of their individual identities. I am passionate about building classroom community, focusing on the whole child, and providing a culturally-responsive environment, curriculum, and materials.”
Ms. Rosemarie Agosto has been teaching preschool for over 23 years. Her passion for teaching stems from her background in Reggio Emelia training which she received in New York. She is a firm believer that play is the work of children. The curriculum in her classroom is based on the interests of the children and incorporates all subject areas, including math, science, literacy, art, music, and movement. A wide variety of materials is used to provoke students’ curiosities and support their learning in an engaging environment. Ms. Agosto states, “I love that Macfeat gives me the opportunity and freedom to teach in a way that makes learning for young children interesting and fun. They have the opportunity to collaborate and interact with their peers and teachers as they develop their knowledge and experiences.”
Ms. Debbie Lomenzo is the lead teacher for the three- and four-year-old, full-day class. Originally from New Jersey, Ms. Lomenzo lived in Rochester, New York for nearly 20 years before relocating to beautiful South Carolina in 2019. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and began her professional career as a Software Engineer in the New York City area. However, she always felt a strong calling to work with children, and that calling led her to pursue a Master's in Education from Nazareth University and transition into teaching. Over the years, Ms. Lomenzo has had the joy of teaching both preschool and elementary students in grades 4–6. Most recently, she spent five wonderful years at Gold Hill Elementary School in the Fort Mill School District, working in Kindergarten and supporting students with diverse learning needs. Returning to preschool teaching feels like coming home, and she is excited to bring her varied experiences to the classroom and foster a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels safe, supported, and eager to learn. Outside of school, Ms. Lomenzo loves spending time with her husband, Dave, and their two sons—Jack, who will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall, and Matteo, a rising 10th grader at Fort Mill High School. They also have a beloved dog, Max. In her free time, she enjoys walking, gardening, cooking, and cheering on her favorite sports teams—especially the Fighting Irish!
Ms. Pamela Austin is excited to be joining the Macfeat Early Education team as a Teacher Assistant. She comes with 10 years of educational experience as a Childcare/Preschool Teacher. Ms. Austin attended King’s College and York Technical College, where she obtained her Associate of Science in Early Education. Her hobbies include cake decorating and crafting, and she loves spending time with her husband, children, and family. One fun fact about Ms. Austin: “I ❤️smiles!”
Ms. Raegen Botzer has worked with children for five years, both in a school-age and early childhood setting. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Child and Youth Well-Being from Winthrop University in 2023 and is excited to return to her alma mater in a professional role. Ms. Botzer began her career working for an elementary afterschool program out of Fort Mill, SC. She held several roles over her four years with the program, including group lead, administrative assistant, and program coordinator. In November 2024, she transitioned into early childhood education, leading a preschool classroom in Charlotte, NC. Ms. Botzer's background in psychology has helped her develop a child-centered and relationship-based approach to education. She believes in meeting children where they are. She values emotional validation and helping students learn to express themselves in safe, healthy ways. She is excited to bring her experience, warmth, and passion for child development to the Macfeat community. When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Botzer enjoys reading, journaling, and baking. She lives in Rock Hill, SC, with her husband, David, and their two cats, Gemma and Nico.
Ms. Melanie Sanders, the school's director, received her B.A. in English with a minor in American History from Hilbert College and a M.Ed. in Childhood Education from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University and is working on her dissertation on social and emotional learning in the early childhood years. She previously worked in the Clover School District and taught first, second, and fifth grades as well as a year of reading recovery instruction. After working in the public school, she transitioned to higher education and taught as an adjunct professor at Winthrop University in the early childhood, elementary, and reading departments before becoming an instructor in the early childhood department. She is absolutely delighted to take on this new role as director of Macfeat and cannot wait to build relationships with the students, families teachers and community. Melanie lives in Rock Hill with her husband Dave, three children (David, Logan, and Ava Grace), and a chow named Layla.
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