JACK TOLER
Campus Director
Jack’s involvement in ministries of service over the years would qualify him as a “jack of all trades.” He has taught in several academic areas, been a pastoral staff member, been ordained as a minister of the Gospel, filled leadership capacities involving church and school music, and served as a principal in three small Christian schools. Because the opportunities and needs of small ministries require flexibility as well as creativity, he has also taught art, piano, and voice, as well as writing, arranging, and collaborating on vocal, instrumental, and music/drama works. Set design execution, costuming, and staging have been defining signatures of his efforts over the years.
Jack believes that the joy of performance must be fueled by a love for the Lord. The dedication with which we approach our craft must be a testimony to God’s glory. His desire is that those under his influence will see the joy of the Lord and attribute any successes or accomplishments as being only by His grace.
LEVI MYERS
Assistant Director
Levi Myers is excited to be back at Artios Academies of Greenville this year! A native of York, Pennsylvania, Levi has a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a proficiency in piano and an emphasis in Choral Music from Bob Jones University. Along with his experience with various music ensembles in college, he was part of the opera, Lucia di Lammemoor, and Titanic: The Musical–both produced by the university. At Artios he has assistant directed A Christmas Carol, Scrooge and Marley, and Into the Woods Jr. In the past, he was heavily involved in multiple Artios productions by creating costumes, writing and directing music, and designing lights and sound. Levi’s favorite thing to do at Artios is direct the Middle and High School Choirs and is excited to be taking them to the Biltmore Estate and Carnegie Hall this year!
RUTH BALLARD
History
Ruth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and has taught music and choir, among other subjects, at homeschool co-ops throughout South Georgia. Since moving to Greenville in January 2016, Ruth has taught History at Artios (and she loves it!). Ruth homeschooled her 5 boys, aging from 27 down to 12-(Calvin who is going to Artios again this year). She has 2 amazing grandbabies! She has always loved teaching History and bringing it to life, first for her own boys and now for her Artios students. Ruth has taught Kindergarten through High School History for the past 6 1/2 years and is excited to teach the Modern time period this year!
ASHLEY CRANE
Theatre | Film
New Acting teacher Ashley Crane is thrilled to be back in Spartanburg, SC where she grew up. After graduating from Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Cinema/TV program and working with Spartanburg Youth Theatre to launch screen acting classes, Ashley moved to NYC to work with Industry Leading Acting Coaches! Ashley’s clients have worked on- and off- Broadway, gone on National Tours, and worked on TV shows! She has had the opportunity to act up and down the east coast, and write for film, television, and theatre! She currently serves as the Director of Education for the Tryon International Film Festival, teaches at Spartanburg Youth Theatre, and hosts Workshops at colleges and universities around the southeast. When she’s not acting, teaching & coaching, studying in her adult acting class, coaching NYC clients over Zoom, or writing, she loves hanging out with her Shih Tzu Maddie, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and reading! She cannot wait to meet all of you and have a blast creating with you!
KENDALL DITTMAR
Upper Elementary Academics | Music
Kendall Dittmar has enjoyed teaching for several years in Christian school and ministry settings. She has taught scores of private violin lessons, coached choirs of all ages, started a ground-up strings program in Florida, assistant taught Kindergarten, developed music theory curriculums for K3-5th grade, and led several early childhood classes. After obtaining an undergraduate degree with an emphasis in music, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in education in order to be better equipped for positions in general education and educational leadership. Kendall is thankful for the training and experience she has received that has cemented in her heart a passion for education and teaching life skills and disciplines through the lens of a Biblical worldview.
REBECCA HENNING
Art | Math
Throughout her life, Rebecca has been using various opportunities in fine arts to creatively worship and serve her Creator God. She grew up in the home of a filmmaker whose focus was international evangelistic true story dramas. Her father’s studio was in the home and she has been involved in many aspects of the work. Her formal training was in drama. She graduated in 1987 from Bob Jones University with a degree in Speech Education/Dramatic Productions. While there, she minored in Mathematics. Since then she had some opportunity to teach and tutor students in high school mathematics. Her over 25 years of teaching experience has primarily been in art classrooms in both a large setting at Bob Jones Academy and in small groups (private lessons, homeschool classes, camps, and church.) She is an active member of Trinity Bible Church in Greer and is involved in children’s and missions ministries there. When teaching art, Rebecca points students to the creativity and art principles displayed in the world God has created. She explores and shares with her students the great variety of art techniques and styles used throughout history and around the world. She also enjoys helping students try new art processes and successfully develop new art skills.
SUSAN LABADORF
Science
When Susan Labadorf graduated with a degree in music education from Bob Jones University in 1983 she had no idea that most of her teaching experience would be homeschooling her eight children and teaching within the homeschool and church communities. But that was the plan God had for her. She began homeschooling in 1990 and is still homeschooling. She loves children’s literature, history, hands-on science and integrating arts and academics. Besides teaching her children she has worked in 4-H, TrailLife, American Heritage Girls, homeschool biology labs, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School and string groups just to name a few. The arts are an important part of her life but her passion is to help each child to become the person God plans for them to be. Outside of school Susan likes backpacking and gardening. She is a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she has served for over 30 years.
Erin Matthews
Art
Erin Matthews recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bob Jones University. She has spent many summers working as a counselor at Christian camps and interned with the art teachers at Bob Jones Academy. In fall of 2022, Erin took on the position as Art teacher for the Artios of Greenville Monday Fine Arts Classes and Clubs. Along with her position at Artios, Erinenjoys teaches at another Christian school and works another job part time.
MEGAN PUTNAM
SmartStart
Megan Putnam is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, she spent ten years in the banking industry before becoming a stay-at-home mom. A member of Praise Cathedral, she and her husband, Chad, have been married fourteen years and have two children, AJ (9) and Gabe (7.) The 2022-23 school year marks her family’s sixth year homeschooling. It’s been an interesting journey navigating learning differences and special needs, but the Lord has been with them each step of the way. After spending a semester last year as the teacher’s assistant in Smart Start, Megan is excited to be returning in her new role leading the class. In her spare time, Megan enjoys reading, casual strolls through the library or bookstore, creative writing, and endless cups of coffee and tea.
STEPHANIE SHELBURNE
Music | Theatre
Stephanie Shelburne grew up in Dunlap, Illinois and began studying music (piano and choir) at a young age. Her delight and love for vocal music was nurtured into a desire to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and most recently, a Masters degree in Voice Performance and Literature. Stephanie loves to inspire curiosity and develop a love for music in her students. Her students love her enthusiasm, commitment to excellence, and her supportive teaching style. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys reading, cooking, writing, driving to the mountains, and spending time with friends and family.
ERICA CHASTAIN
Office Administrator
Erica Chastain is a wife and mother of two, a graduate of Lee University with experience as an administrative assistant and financial admin. This is her 8th year homeschooling her children and 6th year as part of Artios. She loves and believes in Artios Greenville and is excited to join the team in fostering community and a sense of belonging with all our families. Erica loves singing, reading, decorating, planning, sarcasm and laughing.