Faculty

Mr. O’Connor joined the RCLS family teaching ELA, Grammar, Religion and Social Studies to the Middle School Students.  He also taught Music to the students in grades 3 through 8.  Currently he is the Minister of Christian Education and Principal.

Sean O’Connor, originally from DeKalb, Ill, received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in 1996.  He brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of education that was obtained in educational work in Illinois, Massachusetts,  and South Carolina.  He has been a middle school teacher at Risen Christ since 2009 where he also works as an Associate in Music Ministry.  Mr. O’Connor was very active in the entertainment scene in Myrtle Beach having appeared in such shows as Dixie Stampede, Medieval Times, and Pirates Voyage.  He is married to Christina and they have two children, Lindsey and Nathan.

Administrative Assistant
Theresa Morgan

Admissions Counselor
Pamela Schorr

Pre-Kindergarten 4 year-olds – Teacher
Kate Leonard

Mrs. Leonard joined the RCLS family in 2010 as the Pre-K 3
teacher.  Currently she is teacher to the 4 year-olds.

Kate Leonard, originally from Florida, received her BA from Barry University in Miami, Florida.  She taught 5th grade reading at Riverland Elementary in Ft. Lauderdale prior to working at Risen Christ.

Pre-Kindergarten 3 year-olds – Teacher
Becky Bane

Mrs. Bane joined the RCLS family in 2012 teaching the
3 year-olds.  Rebecca Bane (Becky) graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a bachelors degree in English and a minor in Global Studies, focusing on the humanities.  She also attended college in Northampton, England where she studied literature and aesthetics/philosophy.  She has more than 10 years of experience in early childhood through adult education.  She has worked with all age groups in the public library, however, focused on youth services and preschool programs.  She has been a literacy educator for infant, toddler, and preschool programs and taught literacy in adult education.

She has also worked with students in kindergarten through 12th grade at Connections Academy, a virtual school, and was employed at Costal Carolina University as a writing consultant.

Language Arts Teacher
Kindergarten Homeroom
Francine Kassouf

Mrs. Kassouf joined the RCLS family in 2005 as the Pre-K 4 teacher.  In 2006 she began teaching the kindergarten class.  Continuing to teach the kindergarten class in 2007 she also taught Language Arts/Reading to the 1st & 2nd grades.  Currently she is the kindergarten homeroom teacher and teaches Language Arts/Reading to the kindergarten through 5th grades.

Francine Kassouf beginning in 1992 has worked with children in both public and private schools both in Maryland South Carolina. She received her bachelors degree from WGU in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Kassouf pioneered the Kindergarten through 5th grades Spalding Writing Road to Reading program here at Risen Christ in 2007.

Math Teacher
1st,  2nd & 3rd Grades Homeroom
Sona Handl

Mrs. Handl joined the RCLS family in 2006 as the Prek-K 3 teacher.  In 2007 she began teaching the 1st & 2nd grades along with math to the kindergarten class.  Currently she is the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd grades homeroom teacher and teaches Math to the  Kindergarten through 5th grades Math.

Sona Handl, mother of two Risen Christ students, brings 4 years of teaching experience in the Slovakian public school system where she worked after receiving her degree from the University of Nitria. Fluent in several languages Sona joined Risen Christ as a full staff member in 2007.

Religion, SS & Science Teacher
4th & 5th  Grades Homeroom
Elisabeth West

Miss West join the RCLS family in 2009 as the 4th & 5th grades teacher.  In 2008 she taught the 3rd, 4th & 5th grades.  Currently she is the 4th & 5th grades homeroom teacher and teaches Religion, Social Studies, Science and Handwriting to the kindergarten through 5th grades.

Elisabeth West is originally from rural Andrews, N.C..   She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from  Lenoir Rhyne College in 2008, and her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Coastal Carolina University in May 2010.

Middle School Teacher
Marcia Damiano

Marcia Damiano, holding degrees in science and physical education from Missouri, brings over 30 years of experience to the classroom. Originally from Missouri, Mrs. Damiano relocated to the Myrtle Beach area with her husband in 2001.

Middle School Teacher & Music Teacher
Mika Thompson

 Mr. Thompson joined the RCLS family in 2011 teaching ELA and Grammar, Social Studies, and  Religion to the students in the middle school (grades 6 through 8.)  He also teaches Music to the kindergarten through 8th grades.

High School Mentor
David Hart

 Mr. Hart joined the RCLS family in 2011 as the Mentor to the high school students.

Art Teacher
Nina Ortiz

Mrs. Ortiz joined the RCLS family in 2009 teaching art to the Pre-K through 8th grades.

Nina Ortiz grew up  in Myrtle and North Myrtle Beach. During college, she studied at the Marchutz School of Art, in Aix en Provence, France.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art From USC, Coastal Campus (now Coastal Carolina University). After several years of having a studio in the old Myrtle Beach Flat Iron Building, she opened Broadway Gallery, which showcased local original art and housed artist’s studios and classes.  She’s won several local and regional art shows and her work is in several private and commercial collections local and abroad.

Spanish Teacher
Rachel Renee Cattilan-McDonald

 Senorita Rachel joined the RCLS family in 2011 teaching Spanish to the kindergarten through 8th grades.

Rachel Renee Cattilan-McDonald originally from Michigan, graduated in the top five of her class from Luther L. Wright High School.  She attended Adrian College outside of Detroit for Improve. Theater.  She then accepted  an offer to play basketball for the Philippines where she studied International Education and foreign language at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.  There she taught English as a second language to elementary students.

Along with teaching Spanish at RCLS Rachel is a professional dancer/choreographer both locally and nationwide.

Pre-Kindergarten After Care
Jocelyn Buckner

Mrs. Buckner joined the RCLS family in 2011 as the After School/After Care Coordinator for the Pre-K students.