An award-winning independent school in Mount Pleasant, SC

Faculty Profile

Annual Winter Exploration of Faiths

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Deepening our understanding of others through faith exploration is one of the signature programs that sets University School of the Lowcountry apart from other schools. At USL, we learn firsthand about the many different faiths and faith practices of our neighbors. To prepare to be better-informed citizens of the community and the world, University School students visit 2-3 houses of worship each year to explore and talk to adherents of that religion.

Sharing time with people of different faiths allows our students to be curious, ask questions, and gain respect for the beliefs of others, and gives them broader insights into how we share more commonalities than we might think at first glance. 

One of the many benefits of these experiences over long periods of time is developing adults who participate constructively in civic life — locally and in the greater world, regard others who are different with compassion, work collaboratively with diverse people, lead meaningful lives, and develop self-reflection skills.

Universities and employers find our students prepared and ready to lead and collaborate with others from across America and the globe. They are attractive potential community, school, and workforce members because they are unlike any other young people they’ve seen in our modern, interconnected, and diverse world! These are more critical and needed skills than ever, and they are rare and cherished/valuable.

Faculty Profile: Sophia Shelton, MS/US English

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Sophia is new to the USL faculty, joining the team for the 24-25 school year. Take a look at her responses to the faculty profile Q&A.

1. I have been teaching for about two years. 

2. My favorite thing about teaching is getting to see students grow and become more confident in their own creative and critical faculties.  

3. I love connecting with students through their interests and learning what they are passionate about.

4. My favorite books are The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway and the My Brilliant Friend novels by Elena Ferrante.

5. Right now I am reading The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow and Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. 

6. My favorite inspirational quote is: “How you spend your days is how you spend your life.” It reminds me to prioritize what’s important on a daily basis and not to procrastinate.

7. A fun fact about me: I have been a vegetarian since I was eleven.

8. I love to write, paint, make bread, and watch sports.

9. University School is unique in many ways, but maybe especially its emphasis on the integration of ‘classroom’ learning and, well, learning outside the classroom. This breaks down the false dichotomy of school vs. real life and enables students to contextualize what they learn pretty immediately.  

Contact Sophia at sshelton@uslowcountry.org.

Faculty Profile: Claire Haas, Upper School Director

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Claire Haas joined University School just weeks ago after moving to the Lowcountry from the St. Pete area of FL. Here she shares a little about herself and her background in education. Take a look!

  1. How many years have you been in education or teaching? 27
  2. What is your favorite thing about teaching? I enjoy getting to know the students and families and helping the students achieve success.
  3. What do you enjoy about connecting with students? I love learning about their interests, and I always learn from them
  4. What is your favorite book? To Kill a Mockingbird
  5. What are you reading now? Crime and Punishment  
  6. What is your favorite inspirational quote? “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle
  7. What is a fun fact about you that people would be interested or surprised to know? I rescue dogs. Currently I have 3 dogs.
  8. What do you do for fun or when you aren’t at school? I love spending time outside – hiking, running, exploring. 
  9. What is unique about University School? The focus on developing the whole student, from academics to community service, is so exciting to me! I love that USL emphasizes compassion, kindness, and a genuine interest in fellow humans, as well as academics.

Send Claire a note at chaas@uslowcountry.org.

For First Year Staffer, Winnie Caetta, Every Day is Different

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1) How many years have you been at USL? This is my first year at USL!  

2) What is your favorite thing about teaching? My favorite thing about working in a school is that I get to work with students when they are feeling all of their different emotions and going through different phases of their life. My favorite thing about working at USL specifically, is that I get to work with such a wide range of students.  Every day looks different, which I love!

3) What do you enjoy about connecting with students? The students totally fill my bucket! Their witty comments, kind words, and personalities are so fun to connect with and learn from.

4) What is your favorite book? Where the Crawdads Sing

5) What is your favorite inspirational quote? “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

6) What is a fun fact about you that people would be interested or surprised to know?  I volunteered with Lacrosse the Nations in Bocas del Toro, Panama and coached lacrosse!

7) What do you do for fun? I love gardening, going to live music and reading a good book at the beach in my free time!

8) What makes you glad you work at USL? Working at USL has been such an incredible experience.  I love getting to work with students in the intermediate school through high school.  There’s so many exciting parts of each grade, so I feel lucky to work with all of them!  I have definitely loved getting to incorporate community service in my work day and have seen a huge difference in my mood from it!