Leadership
HCA's Leadership team is passionate about the classical Christian approach to education. We are parents who understand what it is like to be in the trenches day to day. By God's grace, we have each experienced the fruit of our labors as we have several graduates among us. We want to help others in this endeavor because we know first hand how valuable this time with our children is.
Gretchen Page
Head of School
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
Gretchen Page is a mom of five with one recently graduated from college and one currently in college and brings 14 years of homeschooling experience to her work in education. She has spent nine years directing classical homeschool programs, supporting families and students in rigorous, thoughtful learning. Gretchen earned a BA in English and Government from Wofford College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia. In her free time, Gretchen enjoys gathering around a campfire with her family, taking beach trips, and reading good books. She and her husband, Brock, are passionate about classical education, family, and ministering to the community through the local church.
Lia Severance
Academic Director
5th & 6th Grade Teacher
Lia Severance brings over fifteen years of experience in classical Christian homeschooling. She and her husband, Stacey, are the parents of four children, two of whom have graduated and are currently attending college. Lia founded and directed a local classical tutoring community in Florence, serving in that role for five years and tutoring for three years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Georgia College & State University and has extensive coursework in Middle Grades Education. Lia enjoys cooking, being outside, and traveling with her family. Her passion is supporting families both in the local church and through Christ-centered classical education.
Jennifer Grimsley
School Life & Enrichment Director
1st & 2nd Grade Teacher
Jennifer Grimsley has more than fifteen years of experience in classical Christian homeschooling. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion University and spent nine years teaching in public education. After transitioning into classical Christian education, Jennifer directed a local classical homeschool community serving students from infancy through seventh grade for three years and tutored students of various ages within this classical setting for three additional years. Jennifer is married to her husband, Jason, and is the mother of two children—one in high school and one in college. She enjoys living in the country, spending time with her family, friends and many animals, planning events, and serving in her church, particularly in the children’s ministry. She is passionate about cultivating a love of learning and supporting families in their educational journey.
Faculty and Staff
Suzanne Belden
Math Teacher
Kristin Bell
Teaching Assistant
Halli Jordan
Art Teacher
Sarah Lane
3rd & 4th Grade Teacher
Suzanne Belden has 12 years of experience in education, including 9 years teaching LD-Resource in the middle grades. She gained an Associates Degree from Lakeland Community College before going on to graduate with honors from Pfeiffer University, with a bachelor's degree in Special Education. Having been homeschooled herself, first through twelfth grade, along with her experience in public education, she loves the advantages that a hybrid school can offer families. Suzanne wants to see her students grow academically and in confidence, to not be afraid of making mistakes but see them as learning opportunities, and realize that each one is fearfully and wonderfully made. In her free time enjoys baking, reading, traveling and going on family-adventures with her husband and three children.
Kristin Bell began her homeschooling journey in 2012 when she and her husband, Tim, felt led to homeschool their son. Over the years, Kristin has had the privilege of homeschooling from 4K through her son’s recent high school graduation. They continue their homeschooling journey with their two daughters—one currently in high school and their youngest attending Heritage. Kristin earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Coastal Carolina University. She enjoys organizing projects, serving in her local church, working alongside Tim on home DIY projects, spending time with family and friends, and golfing with her family. Kristin has a heart for making others feel welcomed and encouraged.
Raised in Florence, SC I have always gravitated towards the arts. I was heavily influenced by my father who was an artist and made a living off of his art. I saw the real value in it and felt comfortable pursuing a Visual Art Degree at Francis Marion University with a specialty in painting. Since then I have married my husband Josh Jordan and had three kids (Elliott 5, Emmi 4, and Henry 2). I have focused on being a stay at home mom and artist working mostly with watercolors late at night or early in the morning. I create many pet portraits, house portraits and landscapes for clients. I love pouring into children and teenagers, teaching them art. Maybe a project, medium, or lesson inspires them to lean into their artistic side and pursue something that brings them joy one day. God has produced a lot of miracles in my life and through my art. I'm humbled and blessed to be able to educate a younger generation.
Sarah Lane has fifteen years of experience in education and has been homeschooling her own children the last three years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Francis Marion University and spent 12 years teaching in both public and private schools. She and her children have been learning in a classical setting over the last three years. Sarah is married to her husband, Jeremy. They have two children who also attend Heritage. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, serving in her church, and reading! She is passionate about literacy and helping all children develop a love of reading!
Dell Lowe
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
Dell Lowe has over twenty years of experience with homeschool and highly values Classical education. She has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Since beginning her homeschool journey when her oldest of 5 children was in second grade, she has relished the opportunity and time with home education realizing how quickly the time passes with children. She and her husband Brian have now added 3 more to their crew as each of their adult children have married. Their oldest is a plumber, their second is in nursing school after being on the mission field with YWAM for 3 years overseas, and their third is a college graduate of Appalachian State University. With the youngest two, who are adopted, Dell has learned the skills of teaching children with learning challenges. Her youngest daughters have also thrived through the use of a Classical model of education. They are now both in high school. Outside of homeschooling, Dell enjoys outdoor activities. She delights in both the beach and the mountains. Yet, her happiest times are when all of her children are home, around a table, enjoying a meal she has prepared as she also has a passion for cooking.
Nikki Watford
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
Nikki Watford brings 11 years of experience in classical, Christian homeschooling. She earned a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Lander University and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Piedmont Technical College. Before pursuing nursing, she served as an agent with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. After nursing school, she worked as a registered nurse in the emergency department and on an ortho/neuro floor.
For the past 11 years, her primary focus has been homeschooling her son, who graduated in 2026. She enjoys spending time with her family—husband Matt, their son, and two stepchildren—and serving alongside her church family. She loves encouraging families in classical Christian homeschooling. She is a lifelong learner currently passionate about studying root-cause medicine.
Emily Whitehead
Handicrafts Teacher
Emily Whitehead is married to Weave, a local pediatrician. They have 4 children ranging in age from 22 to 14 all of whom they homeschooled for a portion of their early years. Their oldest graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis in May 2026 and their next oldest will graduate from Clemson in May 2027. Emily has a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from The Medical University of South Carolina and a Masters Degree in Public Health from The University of South Carolina. In addition to teaching her own children, she has enjoyed teaching nursing at Francis Marion University, leading Bible Studies at church and in the community and teaching swimming lessons. She helped start the Florence Summer Swim League and is currently working to create a Children’s Museum for the Pee Dee. She is currently working with the local gospel city movement Helping Florence Flourish for the purpose of building the Kingdom in Florence. She has created a network called Flourishing Families that seeks to strengthen marriage, promote intentional parenting and encourage family discipleship. Emily believes that creativity and art is an expression of the soul and as such an avenue for making God known to the world. She is thrilled to be drawing the children of Heritage Classical Academy into worship through learning to work well with their hands.