We're excited to welcome some new (and returning) faces to our Downtown Campus for the 2024-2025 school year!
Michael Wright
Physical Education
Our new K3-6th grade Physical Education teacher, Michael Wright, is thrilled to join First Baptist School! He was born and raised in Gaffney, SC, and the youngest of four siblings. His family, who grew up attending First Baptist Church of Gaffney, is very special to him, and he cherishes the time he spends with them.
Staying active is a big part of his life, whether it’s exercising, playing recreational sports, or walking his dogs. In high school, he played basketball and baseball, and continued his baseball career at Spartanburg Methodist College before graduating from the College of Charleston in 2017 with a degree in physical education. During his time there, he had the privilege of serving as a student manager for the men’s basketball team. Coach Wright completed his master’s in educational leadership in 2021.
He is excited to be at First Baptist School and looks forward to working with younger students and being part of a community that upholds strong morals and values. After six years of teaching at the middle and high school levels in Anderson School District 5, he is eager to contribute to a supportive and like-minded community here at First Baptist.
Hannah Salters
3rd Grade
Our new 3rd grade teacher is a familiar face on campus. We are welcoming Hannah Salters back after a year away. Previously, she taught 5th and 6th grade ELA at First Baptist, and then 4th grade ELA and history. She's a Charleston native who attended Hanahan schools, then got her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the College of Charleston. She earned a Bachelors of Science in early childhood and elementary education. She then received a Masters in Education in languages, which took her abroad to both Europe and Asia where she taught English as a second language. In her nearly 20 years of teaching, she has taught grades 2nd-6th, and is excited to be returning to 3rd grade, where she'll share her love of English Language Arts and Social Studies.
Hannah and her family (husband, Chance, and son, Myers) are members of First Baptist Church. They have an English Springer Spaniel named Bewley, who gets his name from a tea shop in Ireland.
In her spare time, you can find Hannah taking her Myers on adventures near and far. She loves to travel, cook, and write, and has a heart for missions, both at home and afar.
Kayla Houghton
K3 Aide
Meet our new K3 Aide, Kayla Houghton! Kayla and her husband, Donnie live on James Island and attend James Island Baptist Church. They have two girls currently attending First Baptist, with twins at home set to start Fall of 2025.
Kayla is a critical care nurse with 10 years experience in the Emergency Department, and is now taking her love for God's children to the classroom to join the FBS family. Ever since her oldest daughter enrolled into the FBS, it has been her desire to be part of the FBS community. This opportunity for new beginnings is truly a blessing!
In her free time you’ll find her playing with her kids, watching sports with her husband or heading to the beach!
Melissa Flaherty
K4 Aide
Welcome Melissa Flaherty, our New 4K Assistant Teacher! We're thrilled to welcome Melissa Flaherty to our 4K program as our new assistant teacher! Melissa joins us from Little School at Grace, where she's spent the past few years nurturing young minds.
Melissa's family connection to FBS runs deep. Her husband, Shaun, a dedicated sergeant with the Charleston Police Department, actively volunteers at First Baptist Church. While pursuing her Business Management degree at USCS, Melissa discovered a passion for education through a teacher's aide program. After moving to Charleston then becoming a mother, Melissa homeschooled her children until they were ready for a traditional school setting. Now, she's embarking on a new chapter, excited to share First Baptist School with her boys!
Melissa is a strong advocate for faith-based education, believing it fosters a loving and supportive environment. She sees Pre-K as a crucial foundation for a successful academic journey, providing students with the tools and confidence they need to blossom in kindergarten. When Melissa isn't enriching young minds in the classroom, you'll likely find her spending cherished time with family, attending playdates, or exploring the vibrant city of Charleston.
Raney Simons
2nd Grade
Our new 2nd grade teacher, Raney Simons, attended First Baptist School from kindergarten through 12th grade! She is ecstatic to be back as a teacher! She pretended to play "school" when she was younger and chose to be a second grade teacher assistant as her elective starting in middle school. Now, her dream is becoming a reality!
Raney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston in May of this year. Raney attends Christ’s Sanctified Holy Church in Hanahan where she fills in as a Sunday school teacher for the littles class when needed!
You will always find her traveling to different places with her husband, Joseph, and the rest of her family! She loves drinking coffee (especially at a local coffee shop), listening to country music, and going to the beach! Go Canes!
Kelly Blalock
5th-8th Bible
Kelly Blalock, formerly positioned at the James Island campus, is returning downtown to teach 5th-8th grade Bible, writing workshops, and electives in the Middle and Intermediate schools. Kelly has a BA in English and a Masters in Teaching. She and her husband attend Deer Park Baptist Church, along with their daughter who will begin attending First Baptist in the fall. Kelly has over a decade of teaching experience in grades 5th-12th and loves being in the classroom! Her favorite things include visiting the library with her daughter, volunteering with her husband at church, and drinking exceedingly large amounts of coffee.
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