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Address: 10-B Holly Hall Road, Beaufort, SC 29907
School Main Office: 843-489-8433
Our Teachers
Learn more about the people who are responsible for helping to mold our scholars' minds.
Michael Greico
I’m thrilled to be a part of the inaugural year at Sea Islands Heritage Academy as the English and Language Arts teacher. I’m passionate about sharing my love for reading, history, travel, and culture with my students. I believe every student deserves a high-quality education, and I’m excited to help our new scholars THRIVE here at Sea Islands Heritage Academy.
I was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and graduated from the State University of Oswego in 2011 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Psychology. Afterward, I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies from Union Graduate College in 2013. Through a connection with my graduate program, I had the opportunity to teach abroad in Shenzhen, China for a year.
Upon returning to the U.S., I helped launch a new charter school in Salt Lake City, Utah, called Ascent Academies of Utah, where I served as the inaugural History teacher and curriculum developer. After six years, I returned to New York and became an assistant principal at Springfield Gardens Middle School, just about 25 minutes from my childhood home. After five years in administration, I learned about the opening of Sea Islands Heritage Academy and knew I wanted to be part of this exciting new chapter.
Gregg "Marcel" Dixon
I’m Gregg Marcel Dixon, and I have the privilege of teaching Social Studies, Science, and Special Education at Sea Islands Heritage Academy. I deeply appreciate the small, personalized environment here, which cultivates a strong sense of community and collaboration among students, teachers, and staff. This unique atmosphere allows for meaningful connections and a supportive learning experience for everyone.
Christine Warner
Hello, my name is Mrs. Warner, and I am excited to be your scholar's math teacher this year. I grew up in Indiana and knew from the second grade that I wanted to become a teacher. I graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Evansville and later earned an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Coppin State College.
With over 30 years of teaching experience in Beaufort County, I’m thrilled to now be teaching at Sea Island Heritage Academy. One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching my scholars' faces light up with joy as they master new skills.
I live on Lady’s Island with my husband and son. In my spare time, I enjoy sitting on my porch watching birds, tending to my flowers and plants, and attending my son’s sports events. My personal motto is that the good must always outweigh the bad at the end of each day, week, month, year, and life.
Dr. Kylene Davis Bandoh
I am Dr. Kylene Davis Bandoh, the literacy coach at Sea Islands Heritage Academy. As a veteran educator and published author, I bring a wealth of experience to my role. My teaching background spans classroom instruction, curriculum development, and science lab management. Beyond the classroom, I've served on district-level curriculum committees, developed school-wide assessments, and co-authored district reports.
I am a firm believer in experiential learning, which has led me to travel internationally to places like Ghana, Europe, and Canada. I am particularly drawn to Sea Islands Heritage Academy because of its place-based education and community focus, which align with my own commitment to community service.
My upbringing instilled in me the values of love, learning, and respect for my community. I was greatly influenced by my parents—the late Dr. La Verne Davis and the late Attorney Hugh K. Davis—who taught me the power of community and education. My mother, an innovative school principal, emphasized the importance of strong community/school relationships, while my father advocated for land ownership and generational wealth as pathways to community prosperity.
I am truly grateful to be part of the Sea Islands Heritage Academy team and enjoy contributing to the school's mission. I live in the Port Royal community with my husband, Abyssinia, and our daughters, Kyra and Kaari.
Amy Painton
With over 12 years of experience in charter school operations, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Sea Islands Heritage Academy. I joined Sea Islands to help develop a dynamic charter school program, improve stakeholder satisfaction, support the school’s growth, and contribute to the success of the charter initiative. I was also drawn to the school’s commitment to creating a positive school culture, which aligns with my personal values of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both students and staff.
I hold a strong passion for the power of school choice and public education, believing that every student deserves access to a quality education that meets their unique needs and aspirations.
I believe the intimate setting of a small charter school offers the ideal foundation for personalized education, ensuring each scholar receives the individual attention and support they need to thrive.
I have lived in the Beaufort area for almost 18 years and currently reside on St. Helena Island with my husband of nearly 25 years, daughter and dog, Otis.
Alana Jenkins Marchel
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My name is Alana Jenkins (she/her/hers), and my heritage is rooted in Gullah, an indigenous African American culture. The Gullah proverb, "mus tek cyear a de root fa heal de tree," roughly translates to "you must take care of the root in order to heal the tree." As an educator, I believe that students’ “roots” must be firmly planted to help them exercise agency and access the opportunities available to them. I firmly believe that schools must help students cultivate a strong sense of self, which is essential for them to persist through rigorous academic material.
I am passionate about community-centered schools as the cornerstone for achieving educational equity. Drawn back to South Carolina by my ancestral lineage, I am proud to be founding and leading Heritage Academy, a school rooted in the values of self-determination and self-actualization inherent in Gullah Geechee culture. The school will focus on the preservation of cultural heritage and the natural environment while providing 6-12th grade students with personalized pathways to college and careers. Our goal is to affirm every part of a student's identity, teaching them about their legacy of resilience and strength. Together with the community, we will craft a collaborative vision for both academic and non-academic success.
Most recently, I worked at Coney Island Prep in Brooklyn, NY, as the dean of students and vice principal, where I led teacher and curricular development. Before that, I spent several years as a classroom reading and writing teacher at high-performing public charter schools across New York. I hold a master’s in teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education and a bachelor’s in English literature from Middlebury College.