Specials Teachers
Tym "Coach" Cleve
PE Teacher
Tym Cleve has been with us since opening day 2014 and absolutely LOVES TES. Not only is he our PE teacher, but he also runs our safety patrol program, greeting all our students each morning with a smile and trying to get their day started off right. His goal as our PE teacher is to make health, nutrition and fitness fun and engaging for all our students as well as helping them learn how to stay active and fit for life-long health and wellness. Tym holds an undergraduate degree from Elon University in Health and Physical Education with minor focus on Exercise Sports Science, Coaching and Religious Studies. He has also coached varsity baseball, basketball and middle school tennis for many years. Tym has a wonderful, amazing and supportive partner, Nitya Fiorentino who works at the library. They both love TES and the school community. Tym adores the family they raise together with her two amazing children, both students here at TES. Zeke is in 7th grade and Virani is in 5th. He also has three grown children, and 5 grandchildren that he loves to spoil. Tym is committed to our education model and devotes himself each day to the betterment of all our students education. TES ROCKS!
Amanda Crane
Music Teacher/Band Director
Amanda Crane studied music education at Coastal Carolina University and is certified to teach K-12. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 2015. Amanda completed the Master’s program coursework and internship in the spring of 2018. She will be taking the SC PLT in August to obtain the degree. She interned at a PreK-5 elementary school and a middle school (6-8) in South Carolina. This past school year, Amanda worked in Chatham County Schools as a high school and middle school band director where she also taught guitar. Amanda is very excited to be joining the team at TES!
Miguel Hernández
STEM Teacher
Miguel Hernandez, originally hailing from Colombia, brings a diverse perspective to his role as a STEM educator. With a background in teaching philosophy and ethics, he has seamlessly transitioned into the world of science and technology education. Miguel's true passion lies in the classroom, where he not only imparts knowledge but also cherishes being an active member of the school community. Outside of his teaching duties, you'll find him exploring the great outdoors, whether it's hiking along the scenic trails or embarking on bike rides that allow him to reconnect with nature.
Ginger Lipscomb
Electives Teacher
Ginger Lipscomb began her teaching career in 2016 at TES as a TA for every grade except Kindergarten, and has been a parent of TES since it opened. While working at TES, she earned her BS in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in FACS education and an NC 6-12 teaching license. She has tried working at other schools, but always comes running back at TES because no other school community compares! Ms. Lipscomb has a passion for teaching students practical life skills and independent problem solving. She wants her students to learn to be learners.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Lipscomb is the Lead Seamstress for Paperhand Puppet Intervention, and she also teaches sewing to all ages. She is the proud mother of 3 (almost) adult children, Avani (14, graduate of TES), Abhi (20), and Tilak (24). She and her family recently moved to their dream farm where all of their pet cows have plenty of grass to eat and space to roam. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and spiritual community, starting (and occasionally completing) projects at her 100 yr. old farmhouse, hiking with her husband, and laughing with anyone who’s willing.
Alivia Salvagni
Art Teacher
Alivia Salvagni was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and moved to North Carolina in the summer of 2022. She graduated with a B.S. in Visual Art Education from Roberts Wesleyan University in 2022 and is certified to teach K-12. Alivia started her time at TES as a maternity sub and is so excited to be back to take on the role of TES’s Art teacher! In her free time she loves to try new restaurants, travel, play soccer, spend time with friends, and read.
Photos courtesy of Laura Wessell at Honor Roll Portraits.