Meet who is behind all the Spark Classes!

Meet Darina!

Hey! My name is Darina DeBenedictis and I am the owner of Spark Learning.  I have many years of experience creating and teaching my own unique curriculum to children of all ages. My STEAM-based programs focus on the concept of wonder and the importance of being inquisitive. You can find my programming in various schools around the greater Charleston area. Personally, I dabble in plenty of other art forms, such as weaving, painting, drawing, photography, and more! I love any excuse to learn something new, especially if it involves crafting. My experiences as a scientist, an artist, and a teacher have made me equipped to be a very inquisitive, passionate, and adaptable educator. I love sharing my passions and experiences with the children that I get to teach. I absolutely love getting to see the little sparks that go off in children’s minds when they are able to follow their curiosity through their own exploration in either a science experiment or an art project. My favorite experiments definitely involve ANYTHING that explodes or is super colorful! 

 

Meet Kendall!

My name is Kendall Bishop, and I’m a College of Charleston graduate where I studied Public Health and Psychology. I’m excited to be heading back to CofC this summer to pursue my Master’s in Teaching! In my free time, I love to paint, attend yoga classes, read a book at the beach, or spend time with friends and family.

I’ve always been drawn to working with kids and have many years of experience with all age groups, both in and outside of the classroom. Working for Spark has been an incredible experience because it allows me to express and share my creative side with all of my students. The kiddos never fail to make me laugh, get me excited, and teach me something new in every class, which is why I love this career so much. I know that having a passionate, creative, and driven teacher makes all the difference for students, and my true passion for art, along with my love and curiosity for science, helps me to be just that.

 

Meet Lauren!

My name is Lauren House and I'm a graduate from the University of South Carolina where I studied Visual Communications! 

In my free time, you can find me taking long walks, roller blading, grabbing coffee with friends, or painting!! 

I find myself being drawn to teaching because I feel like I really lucked out with teachers that let me exercise my creative muscles and who really let me explore who I am in and outside of the classroom- I want to give that opportunity to other kids! 

Art always seemed to be my favorite subject in school, but honestly, whenever I had a rockstar teacher, I could be learning about anything and it would've been my favorite.

Meet Bennett!

Hi!

My name is Bennett Becton, and I am an Elementary Education major at the College of Charleston. My hobbies are going on walks, grabbing coffee with friends, and being creative. I have always loved working with kids. I have a lot of nannying and classroom experience! I find that having artistic as well as experimental activities, such as the ones that Spark Learning provides, is such a great way to open up not only the kids' imaginations but mine as well!

I believe that the teachers make such an impact and that's why I adore the mission of Spark so much!!

 

Meet Cara!

My name is Cara Manger, and I am studying elementary education at the College of Charleston. I’m also part of the Teaching Fellows program, which has given me incredible opportunities to grow as an educator. Post-grad, I plan on working as a teacher, then furthering my education by pursuing a career in Speech and Language Pathology. In my free time, I love to go for walks, practice yoga, and do some painting. I work at a couple of different schools in the area, and it’s my favorite part of the day. Watching children grow and master their skills is truly amazing—it’s the most rewarding part of my role!

Art always seemed to be my favorite subject in school, but honestly, whenever I had a rockstar teacher, I could be learning about anything and it would've been my favorite.

 

Meet Tabitha!

My name is Tabitha Stephens, and I am so excited to be part of Spark Learning.
I recently moved back to South Carolina and am excited to be working hands-on with children again! 
I’ve spent the past 10 years teaching and working with children and families across the Americas, Europe, and Australia, and most recently in Italy, where I taught English in the private and public sector.  My background includes early childhood education, Cambridge exam preparation, and using play-based methods like Montessori and Suzuki to spark curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Currently, I’m a 4K teacher on St. John’s Island and love helping children grow through hands-on experiences that build both academic and social-emotional skills. I believe in creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and excited to explore the world around them.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, traveling, anything out side, and spending time with my family and friends. I’m thrilled to share my passion for learning and creativity with the Spark Learning community!