The York Preparatory Academy Academic Committee is comprised of parents and educators whose primary responsibility is to oversee and ensure academic success. Their duties include the development of standards, selection of core subject matter material, and the establishment of academic and staff policies. The Academic Committee has been able to move beyond the confines of state expectations and strive toward national excellence. The committee also works closely with the teacher recruitment committee and YPA’s Managing Director to staff the school with the very best candidates available. The committee works under the supervision of the Board of Trustees.

Betty White, Academic Committee Chair 

Retired educator, Betty White, has over 30 years experience in the classroom, teaching Special Education, elementary education, gifted and talented students in Rock Hill’s RISK program, and middle-school and high-school German. She received a BS in Special Education from Winthrop College and an M.Ed in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and has certification teaching gifted and talented students, German, special education and elementary education.

Diane Whitesell, Academic Committee Co-Chair

Diane Whitesell is a parent of 6 children and grandparent of 14 children. She has been highly involved in the schools serving as PTO President and tutor of non-reading adults and dyslexic children. She has served as area president of her church women's organization, president of the Primary Children's Organization and is currently regional supervisor of religious instruction for 9th through 12th graders in eight congregations.

Corey Helgesen, York Preparatory Academy Managing Director

Corey Helgesen earned his BS in Education at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and earned an MS in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Atlanta, GA. He will complete his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development this summer. Corey has taught in elementary and middle schools, been a school liaison for science and a school administrator. In South Carolina, he is professionally certified to teach Pre K-8 subjects including Science, Math, English and Social Science, and to lead in school supervisory and leadership administration, Pre K-12. Corey has served as a leader in volunteer committees and organizations including Boy Scouts of America, church youth and men’s organizations and various athletic coaching positions.

Erin Neurohr

Erin Neurohr has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Stonehill College in Easton, MA. She spent eight years teaching in the elementary grade levels in the Newton, MA, Mecklenburg Area Catholic School and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Systems. Erin was selected as a member of the inaugural teaching staff at Hawk Ridge Elementary in Charlotte, NC as a third-grade teacher. She participated on various committees including, grade-level chair and member of the Curriculum Revision Team, which helped bring Junior Achievement’s Biztown program to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. She also served as a mentor teacher for three years and was a certified project evaluator.

Jenae Pannell 

Jenae Pannell graduated from Winthrop University with teaching certificates in Special Education and Elementary Education.  Her teaching experience includes seven years in the Special Education field. She also serves as PTO President at her children’s school, runs a clothing closet for children in the Rock Hill area, and assists with the ladies organization at church. She currently serves on a committee to organize a golf tournament to support Special Olympians in the area so they can attend National Special Olympics.

Jennifer A. Schultz 

Jenny Schultz has a Master’s degree in teaching and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Winthrop University. She taught Secondary Language Arts for eight years, three of which were at the Savannah Arts Academy charter school. After receiving her gifted endorsement she was co-coordinator of the gifted and talented department in Savannah. Jenny has been the Odyssey of the Mind coach (National finalist 2002), National Honor Society and Junior Civitan sponsor. Jenny became aware of the need for an educational experience that includes a more engaged student body and faculty while being firmly rooted in academics and believes that YPA will fill this gap.