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Faculty & Staff
Jayson Powers
Principal
Mr. Powers has 18 years of administrative experience as a principal and assistant principal at both the high school and middle school levels. He most recently served as assistant principal at Socastee Middle School and served as principal at the Academy for Technology and Academics (ATA), and assistant principal at both The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology (AAST) and Conway High School.
Before entering administration, he taught art for 9 years, three at Myrtle Beach High, one at Conway High and with five additional years in Georgetown and Lexington One school districts. Mr. Powers is a graduate of Cambridge College in Massachusetts where he earned a master’s degree in secondary school administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University in art education.
WELCOME TO THE STAFF
CONNOR BRITT-TRIPP
Connor Britt-Tripp has been professionally performing, teaching, and choreographing since the age of 18. Growing up as a local dancer he was lucky to enough to travel and train with some of the top choreographers and dance educators in the industry. He is a well rounded performer excelling in the industry as both a dancer and an acrobat. Some of his professional credits include Pirates Voyage, The Alabama Theatre, RWS Global Entertainment, MSC Cruises, and Holland America Line Cruises. While he loves performing, his true passion lies in dance education and training the next generation of dancers, helping them to reach their greatest potential. For the last 10 years, Connor has been a nationally recognized teacher and choreographer traveling across the country to set competitive choreography on some of the top studios in the nation. His pieces have won numerous national titles and special awards in excellence. He works for multiple dance competitions serving as a head judge and convention teacher. You can find Connor’s previous students performing on local stages, Broadway National Tours, Collegiate Dance Teams, and numerous cruise lines. Connor is so excited to be part of the MBSA family!
CHRIS JENKINS
Mr. Jenkins brings over twenty years of classroom experience spanning middle grades math and science through Health Science and STEM — but what he's most known for is what happens to students who walk in not believing in themselves and walk out knowing they can. One student summed it up best: "We don't come to your class because we have to. We come because we want to." A licensed teacher and registered nurse with real-world clinical and healthcare industry experience, his classroom is hands-on, real-world, and relentlessly positive — students don't just learn what cardiac tamponade is, they diagnose it, treat it, and own it. Parents consistently say their kids come home talking about what they learned that day. He led a Certified Nurse Aide program to the highest certification pass rate in the state for six consecutive years, coached multiple HOSA State Champions and a HOSA World Champion in CNA Skills, and served as CTE Department Head. He is a multi-year Most Inspirational Teacher Award recipient and holds an active federal security clearance through Palmetto GBA for Medicare program integrity work.
6th Grade Team
Anthony Junod - Math
Mr. Junod has 5 years of experience in education right here in the Horry County area. In that time he has taught 6th grade mathematics at the general, honors, and accelerated level. He has also taught 7th grade mathematics and science. He most recently was a teacher at Socastee Middle School. While at Socastee Middle School, Mr. Junod was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the year in 2022. Mr. Junod has also had three of his students receive a perfect score on their SCReady math tests during his time at Socastee Middle School. Mr. Junod holds a bachelor's degree in Middle Level Education with a specialization in math and science and has his gifted and talented certification all earned at Coastal Carolina University.
Art Teacher
Mattie Flading
Ms. Flading is an emerging educator and practicing visual artist with a strong foundation in STEM-based learning and arts integration. After earning her bachelor’s degree in art studio from Coastal Carolina University, she began serving as a long-term substitute at The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology (AAST).
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Flading’s professional experience provides her with knowledge of diverse media and techniques, as well as valuable industry insight that informs instruction and emphasizes real-world applications of art. Her experience includes working as a graphic designer, hosting artist lectures, and being featured in exhibitions supported by research grants and contributions to publications
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CTE Fundamentals of Computing
Patrick Smithson
Patrick Smithson has experience in education, healthcare, and business, and currently serves as a High School Business CTE teacher at Georgetown High School. In this role, he teaches business courses aligned to SC standards, creates engaging real-world lessons, and integrates technology, project-based learning, and career readiness skills into daily instruction. Before becoming a classroom teacher, he worked as a paraprofessional at North Myrtle Beach High School in a Special Education Employability Credential classroom, where he supported Management and Marketing courses and helped provide individualized support for diverse
learners. Earlier in his career, Mr. Smithson worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant and as a Real Estate Agent. His healthcare background includes working with patients of all ages, while his real estate experience involved guiding clients through residential transactions using communication, marketing, finance, and customer service skills. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, with a minor in Theatre, and
an Associate in Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant from Horry Georgetown Technical College.
Pre-Medicine, Theater, Academic Coach
David Rosenthal
David Rosenthal is a retired Firefighter/EMT with HCFR. He was also a member of the Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad; his time there was spent in charge of their Cadet program, where he was responsible for training High School members of the squad in first aid and EMT skills to prepare them for becoming EMTs. David attended Lees-McRae University, where he studied Drama and Technical Theater, and HGTC, where he received his AS in EMS.
David has worked on numerous theatre productions with local high schools. He was also the drama teacher at Saving Grace Music School, where he taught drama and served as show director for their annual Christmas show. David's favorite part about teaching Drama and directing shows is watching the kids grow and become more confident in their parts.
For the last five years, David has worked with Palmetto Academy as a substitute teacher, served as an assistant coach for We the People and Mock Trial, helping them win state championships, and assisted with their school plays. His last show with them was Aladdin JR. David is excited about joining the MBSA family and bringing his love of Drama and Musicals to the students.
Middle School Social Studies
Shane McMahan
I am excited to be your child’s Social Studies teacher for the 2026–27 school year! This marks my 17th year in South Carolina public schools, having taught in both Horry and Oconee Counties. I am certified in Social Studies and Language Arts (ELA), with additional endorsements in Gifted & Talented education and Read to Succeed.
Originally from upstate South Carolina near the mountains, I have lived in the Little River community since 2011.
I attended Clemson University for most of my higher education, earning three degrees, including two master’s degrees. I also studied at Tri-County Technical College, where I earned an Associate of Arts in Computer Technology. Prior to teaching, I spent 10 years working in Clemson’s Department of Campus Recreation, where I served as Interim Director. I also worked as the Athletic Director for the City of Aiken, South Carolina, in 2004.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy attending live sporting events, cooking and baking, working with computers, spending time with friends, and occasionally playing Dungeons & Dragons. I am also a former coach with 38 years of experience across multiple sports.
A message from our Committee
Welcome to The Myrtle Beach STEM Academy Public Charter STEM School!
Dear Students, Families, and Community Members,It is with great excitement and pride that I welcome you to the inaugural year. The Myrtle Beach STEM Academy is dedicated to empowering tomorrow’s innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders.At MBSA, we believe that every child deserves an engaging, future-ready education—one rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and enriched by creativity, collaboration, and real-world exploration. Our mission is to cultivate curious minds and compassionate hearts through a rigorous, hands-on learning environment that prepares students not just for college and careers, but for meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.We are honored to lead a team of passionate educators who are committed to excellence, equity, and student growth, to create a great school. Whether it’s designing robots, analyzing ecosystems, coding apps, or solving community challenges, our students will be immersed in authentic learning experiences that inspire innovation and critical thinking.We also believe that partnerships with families and the community are vital to our success. Your voice matters here. Together, we will create a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every student is seen, supported, and celebrated. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education. The journey begins now, and the possibilities are limitless. Welcome to The Myrtle Beach STEM family—where learning rises, and futures take flight.