Staff
Ms. Marriea Givens is one of the Professional School Counselors at Hardeeville Junior–Senior High School and is excited to serve the faculty, staff, and student body for the 2025–2026 school year.
Her role is to support the academic, social, and emotional development of students. She encourages parents and guardians to reach out with any questions or concerns related to their student(s) and is committed to collaborating with families to ensure a successful and enriching school year for all.
Her caseload for the 2025–2026 school year includes students in grades 10-12th.
Ms. Givens looks forward to a great year and is available to provide resources or discuss any specific concerns families may have.
Kari Foster, Career Facilitator and Student Activities Coordinator
Ms. Kari Foster welcomes students to the 2025–2026 academic year, during which she will serve as the Middle School Career Development Facilitator and Student Activities Coordinator. She looks forward to an exciting year as students grow into logical thinkers and confident problem solvers.
Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that education is a vital tool that equips children with the fundamental skills needed to live successful lives as confident and informed citizens. She chose the teaching profession to positively impact students’ lives and to engage them in meaningful thinking and learning. Ms. Foster views teaching as a deeply rewarding career that allows her to support students’ growth and help them develop the skills and attitudes necessary to build character and achieve success. Her mission is to instill a love of lifelong learning, prepare students to thrive in today’s world, and ensure they are truly ready for college and/or a career.
As William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” The opportunity to ignite that spark in students is what fuels Ms. Foster’s passion for teaching.
Alayshia Steadman-Barr, District Clinical Social Worker
Alayshia S. Steadman-Barr was created to empower others and serve God. She strongly believes in the quote by Marin Wright Edleman, "The question is not whether we can afford to invest in every child; it is whether we can afford not to." Mrs. Steadman-Barr is an undergraduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelors Degree in Child and Family Development and emphasis in Family Life Education. Mrs. Steadman-Barr also attained her Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Micro Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Mrs. Steadman-Barr is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and believes in a trauma-informed approach with a whole-person outlook. Her positions have ranged from mental health counselor, behavioral health counselor, intensive in-home team lead, military and family life counselor, school social worker, independent therapist, and most recently district clinical social worker. Mrs. Steadman-Barr attributes her impact in schools to her willingness to become embedded and invested in the present and future of each student she directly impacts.
Mrs. Sharena Wright serves as the data specialist and attendance clerk for Hardeeville Junior–Senior High School. She is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology, and Troy University, where she completed a Master of Public Administration.
A native of Richland County, South Carolina, she is married to a Jasper County native. In her role at HJSHS, Mrs. Wright is committed to positively shaping the school’s culture through accountability and creative incentive programs. She strives to encourage every student she encounters to show up for themselves and become the change they wish to see in the world.
Morgan Obodoako, a Savannah native, currently serves as the Student Service Specialist for the Jasper County School District. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Savannah State University in 2010 and later completed a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from SUNY Potsdam in 2016.
Ms. Obodoako began her career in education in 2020 as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher before transitioning to Special Education, where she taught for two years. In 2023, she moved into student services and has since dedicated the past two years to supporting students as a Student Service Specialist.
Hello, I am thrilled to be a part of the Hardeeville Junior Senior High School family. I am the School Based Mental Health Counselor for the Hardeeville Campus. I provided individual, family, and crisis intervention services to the children and adolescents of HJSHS. I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years, and I love working with children, adolescents and their families. It is my duty to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for students to explore a wide range of issues that may be troubling them and fostering a meaningful, supportive, and helping relationship. My method of therapy is based on a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, focusing on helping to change the thinking and behavior patterns of an individual. I am a firm believer that everyone’s MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!