🎢 8th Grade Dollywood Field Trip Reminder! 🎢
8th grade parents, don’t forget! The $25 deposit to reserve your student’s spot for our Dollywood field trip is due September 11.
⚠️ The deadline is firm—no exceptions will be made after September 11. Deposits are non-refundable.
Please make sure your student’s deposit is submitted on time so they don’t miss out on an awesome day at Dollywood! 🎡🎠🎢
Our English I honors students started the year by analyzing the Poe short story "The Fall of the House of Usher"🏚️! Students used their AVID strategies to annotate notes📝, summarize passages for understanding📚✍️, and collaborate through stations🗣️.
Congratulations to the cast of Legally Blonde Jr! Please read each image carefully! Your name may appear in more than one place or show! We are so proud of each and every one of you!
Last, but not least, another familiar face in a new role! Meet Ms. Guker!
"I have many family members who are in the education system that inspired me to become a teacher, but the one with the most impact on my life was my mom. I could see the impact she was making on her students' lives not only inside the classroom, but also beyond the four walls. I could see that being an educator is about so much more than just teaching. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to make the same impact on my students lives as I saw my mother doing for many years.
I am super excited to be joining the Abner Creek family and officially become part of the staff. I have seen the positive environment and welcoming atmosphere that is created around the school, and it is something I am thrilled to be a part of. I can’t wait to enter into my 3rd season of volleyball and my first year of teaching!"
Welcome to the pack Ms. Guker!
"I have many family members who are in the education system that inspired me to become a teacher, but the one with the most impact on my life was my mom. I could see the impact she was making on her students' lives not only inside the classroom, but also beyond the four walls. I could see that being an educator is about so much more than just teaching. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to make the same impact on my students lives as I saw my mother doing for many years.
I am super excited to be joining the Abner Creek family and officially become part of the staff. I have seen the positive environment and welcoming atmosphere that is created around the school, and it is something I am thrilled to be a part of. I can’t wait to enter into my 3rd season of volleyball and my first year of teaching!"
Welcome to the pack Ms. Guker!
He's already a familiar face, but now he's in a new role! Meet Mr. Latimer!
"I’m from Belton, SC. I am married with 3 children. I have been in education for 10+ years, doing a number of things throughout Anderson School District 2 schools. I’ve attended Southern Wesleyan University, and I will be graduating from Walden U!
My mother inspired me to be a teacher. Seeing how hard she has worked and how much time she has dedicated to her students over the past 20 years really inspired me to do the same.
I’m excited to start a new journey in 6th grade. A teacher role is something I’ve worked towards these past few years so I’m excited!"
Welcome to the pack Mr. Latimer!
"I’m from Belton, SC. I am married with 3 children. I have been in education for 10+ years, doing a number of things throughout Anderson School District 2 schools. I’ve attended Southern Wesleyan University, and I will be graduating from Walden U!
My mother inspired me to be a teacher. Seeing how hard she has worked and how much time she has dedicated to her students over the past 20 years really inspired me to do the same.
I’m excited to start a new journey in 6th grade. A teacher role is something I’ve worked towards these past few years so I’m excited!"
Welcome to the pack Mr. Latimer!
Another new face to our faculty this year! Meet Catherine Hosack.
"I have two beautiful girls ages 10 and 12, and I am constantly re-doing the landscaping of my front yard. I also grew up in the Myrtle Beach area (but I prefer nearly any other beach).... Fun fact? I studied abroad in Finland in college! I decided to change careers when I missed the educational environment, and I legitimately enjoy kiddos! I'm so excited for my first year at Spartanburg 5! It's my seventh year teaching, but it's always been in Greenville County. I've heard such amazing things about Spartanburg District 5, so I'm super excited to be here."
Welcome to the pack Ms. Hosack!
Next up, get to meet Ms. Gowan!
"As a graduate of this district, I am excited to return and give back to the community that shaped me. My experience as a Teaching Fellow at the University of South Carolina strengthened my passion for education and confirmed my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. I hope to make a positive impact on my students just as my teachers did for me.
I am most excited to have my own classroom where I can make a positive impact on my students each day!"
Welcome to the pack Ms. Gowan!
Let's continue getting to know our new members! Meet Jensen Thomassie!
"I'm going into my second year of teaching this year. I taught my first year at East End Elementary in Easley, SC, teaching elementary music. I'm originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and I attended Furman University for my bachelor's and the University of South Carolina for my master's."
Fun fact: Mr. Thomassie had an original piece of his performed at the Lincoln Center in NYC in May of 2025, and he regularly has his original music performed across 4 continents!
Welcome to the pack Mr. Thomassie!
Pelicans is coming Tuesday at lunch! Be ready!
Ladies interested in soccer: There is an interest meeting here at ACMS on September 3 at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria.
Interest meeting for Boys Wrestling Thursday September 3rd at 6:00 in the Byrnes High School Cafeteria. This is for any 7th-12th graders interested in learning more about the wrestling program.
Today Mr. Garrett's ELA classes read in honor of Dolly Parton and her incredible impact on childhood literacy. Through her Imagination Library, Dolly has gifted over 300 million books to kids around the world, and today we celebrated that love of reading she's given to so many children.
Thank you, Dolly, for inspiring a lifelong love of books!
#DollyParton #ImaginationLibrary #LiteracyMatters
Meet Mrs. Ramsey!
"I have been married for two years to my wonderful husband, Jacob Ramsey. We have two dogs, Styles and Remi, and one cat, Ginny. I love going to church, hanging out with friends and family, and going thrifting!
I’ve always loved helping others learn, especially in science. Through substitute teaching at ACMS I realized how much I enjoy working with students and making learning engaging.
I’m most excited to start doing science experiments with my students and watching them connect science to their everyday lives. I’m looking forward to seeing their excitement grow as they learn through hands-on experiences."
"I have been married for two years to my wonderful husband, Jacob Ramsey. We have two dogs, Styles and Remi, and one cat, Ginny. I love going to church, hanging out with friends and family, and going thrifting!
I’ve always loved helping others learn, especially in science. Through substitute teaching at ACMS I realized how much I enjoy working with students and making learning engaging.
I’m most excited to start doing science experiments with my students and watching them connect science to their everyday lives. I’m looking forward to seeing their excitement grow as they learn through hands-on experiences."
Next up, let's welcome Keri Hinsdale! Here is what she has to share with us!
"I relocated from New Jersey to South Carolina in January 2025 . I am enjoying learning about this area ! I have two rescue dogs from Kentucky . I have a Masters Degree in Special Education, and I am enrolled in Teachers of Tomorrow for my certification.
I am so excited to be joining the team at Abner Creek Middle School ! I am thrilled about having my own classroom to challenge and inspire my students every day! I'm looking forward to getting to know my students and new colleagues! "
"I relocated from New Jersey to South Carolina in January 2025 . I am enjoying learning about this area ! I have two rescue dogs from Kentucky . I have a Masters Degree in Special Education, and I am enrolled in Teachers of Tomorrow for my certification.
I am so excited to be joining the team at Abner Creek Middle School ! I am thrilled about having my own classroom to challenge and inspire my students every day! I'm looking forward to getting to know my students and new colleagues! "
Seventh and eighth grade girls interested in basketball: open season practice starts on Tuesday, September 8 and will be from 5:45 to 6:45 PM. There will also be practice on the 8th and the 15th. You must have an athletic physical and be registered on Arbiter to attend.
Updates from the drama department! Audition results will be posted Monday at the end of the day!
⚖️📚 WEIGHT A MINUTE! 🧪💪
Our 8th graders put the claim “more mass requires more force” to the test! Students added books to increase mass, used spring scales to measure the force needed to move them, and calculated the average force from their trials.
They quickly discovered that when the mass goes up, the force needed does too! 💪📈 Nothing beats putting science to the test with some hands-on learning! 🔬✨
#8thGradeScience #WeightAMinute #ForceAndMotion #HandsOnScience #ScienceInAction
Get to know Mrs. Norris!
"I am a married mom of 3 with a love of Jesus, passion for the arts, and a strong belief that my ministry is helping and serving others. I'm outgoing, laugh way too loud, and always have an unfinished art project going on.
I am a first generation college graduate in my family. I grew up with all the odds against me with nothing but a will to succeed and ignorance of the obstacles ahead of me. Connecting with people right where they are, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, or any other identifying factor, is one of the most rewarding qualities God blessed me with. Connecting with students for career based education can change the trajectory of one child's life just like my college career changed mine.
I'm so excited to build relationships with new students and see all of Abner Creek Academy's old students flourishing at middle schoolers!"
"I am a married mom of 3 with a love of Jesus, passion for the arts, and a strong belief that my ministry is helping and serving others. I'm outgoing, laugh way too loud, and always have an unfinished art project going on.
I am a first generation college graduate in my family. I grew up with all the odds against me with nothing but a will to succeed and ignorance of the obstacles ahead of me. Connecting with people right where they are, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, or any other identifying factor, is one of the most rewarding qualities God blessed me with. Connecting with students for career based education can change the trajectory of one child's life just like my college career changed mine.
I'm so excited to build relationships with new students and see all of Abner Creek Academy's old students flourishing at middle schoolers!"
Gina Carter, welcome to ACMS! A note from Mrs. Carter:
"I am beginning my 32nd year in education, and most of my experience has been teaching 6th grade ELA. I believe that building strong relationships with both students and families is the key to a successful school year. I love sharing stories about my life, my family, and my favorite pup, Leo, because I enjoy creating a classroom environment where students feel connected and comfortable. Outside of school, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, traveling, and attending concerts. I am excited to be part of the pack at Abner Creek and look forward to an amazing year!
I honestly think I was born knowing I wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I played “school” all the time and always made my sister be the student. I even used to write on my closet doors pretending they were the chalkboard in my classroom. Teaching has always felt natural to me, and after 32 years in education, I still love building relationships with students and helping them grow both academically and personally.
I am most excited about becoming part of a strong, supportive team and building consistency for both myself and my students. I look forward to collaborating with others, forming meaningful relationships within the school community, and working together to create a positive and successful year for students. I am excited for a fresh start and to become part of the pack at Abner Creek."
"I am beginning my 32nd year in education, and most of my experience has been teaching 6th grade ELA. I believe that building strong relationships with both students and families is the key to a successful school year. I love sharing stories about my life, my family, and my favorite pup, Leo, because I enjoy creating a classroom environment where students feel connected and comfortable. Outside of school, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, traveling, and attending concerts. I am excited to be part of the pack at Abner Creek and look forward to an amazing year!
I honestly think I was born knowing I wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I played “school” all the time and always made my sister be the student. I even used to write on my closet doors pretending they were the chalkboard in my classroom. Teaching has always felt natural to me, and after 32 years in education, I still love building relationships with students and helping them grow both academically and personally.
I am most excited about becoming part of a strong, supportive team and building consistency for both myself and my students. I look forward to collaborating with others, forming meaningful relationships within the school community, and working together to create a positive and successful year for students. I am excited for a fresh start and to become part of the pack at Abner Creek."
Next up, we welcome Ashton Carovillano!
"I have been teaching for 14 years and my favorite part is building relationships with my students and their families. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and my master’s degree in instructional technology. When I’m not at school, I stay busy with my 3 year old son and my 8 year old daughter, who attends Reidville Elementary. Our family also has three rescue dogs, Brewer, Az, and Hamilton, and we foster for a local rescue. I enjoy being outside with my family, caring for my plants, and cheering on my favorite baseball, football, and hockey teams!
I’m excited to step into a new role that combines teaching with one of my greatest interests - technology! I have loved learning about computers ever since I was young thanks to my dad. Watching him build computers and create new programs always sparked my curiosity. I'm really looking forward to sharing that excitement with my students and helping spark the same curiosity and enthusiasm in them!"
"I have been teaching for 14 years and my favorite part is building relationships with my students and their families. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and my master’s degree in instructional technology. When I’m not at school, I stay busy with my 3 year old son and my 8 year old daughter, who attends Reidville Elementary. Our family also has three rescue dogs, Brewer, Az, and Hamilton, and we foster for a local rescue. I enjoy being outside with my family, caring for my plants, and cheering on my favorite baseball, football, and hockey teams!
I’m excited to step into a new role that combines teaching with one of my greatest interests - technology! I have loved learning about computers ever since I was young thanks to my dad. Watching him build computers and create new programs always sparked my curiosity. I'm really looking forward to sharing that excitement with my students and helping spark the same curiosity and enthusiasm in them!"
