When Palmetto State E-cademy began to recruit teachers before our first year of classes, we had the opportunity to screen and select the absolute best teachers in the state. Our teachers are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Education, 15 of 19 teachers have Master’s degrees or higher and are highly qualified in the areas in which they teach. All but a small handful of our teachers have been with us since the day we first began. This very small turnover rate helps to ensure consistency and quality in our educational offering.  Our teachers are passionate about online learning and their enthusiasm translates into a virtual classroom environment where high school students are simultaneously challenged and encouraged.

Beyond our virtual classroom teachers, Palmetto State E-cademy also has math and English Learning Coaches who help students with these sometimes difficult subject areas. Learning strategy courses help students prepare for mandated high school proficiency exams, but more importantly, they teach students to be motivated learners.

Faculty and Staff Listing

Joee Batchelor - Office: IT Specialist, Registrar After earning a Network Engineer Certification from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, I worked as the assistant service manager for a local copier company. I was involved in the early planning stages for PSE, helping with the initial office technology infrastructure. I have now been with PSE fulltime for almost 3 years, where I have served in several office roles ranging from operations specialist, support specialist, and registrar. I have also run and owned my own dance studio.

Kelly Carman - Science Teacher I have been a high school teacher for 9 years. This is my second year as an online teacher. I have a BS in Biology from the University of South Carolina, Spartanburg. I enjoy working with students and seeing them have those "Aha" moments, when they finally get it. Over the course of my teaching career, I have taught Biology, Environmental Science, and AVID. As an online teacher, I have taught Physics, Physical Science, Computer Fundamentals, Biology, and Health.

Brannon Carter - Admin: IT Manager I graduated with a BS in Sports Medicine and practiced as a certified Athletic Trainer for 5 years before returning to school to earn my Master's degree in Biology and Education. I taught middle and high school science and technology courses for 9 years before moving into my current position as IT Manager for PSE. I have taught technology courses, served as the technology coordinator for various schools, and have developed curriculum and professional development programs for teachers. I also build websites and online applications for local non-profit organizations.

Tom Charles - English Teacher I have a BA in Theatre and English and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling. I have had a long and varied career that has included counseling, business, especially medical sales, and community development before entering the teaching profession. I developed a multi-media patient support and education program for oncology patients at the largest teaching hospital in South Carolina. This is my fourth year at Palmetto State E-cademy. My principal role for the first three years was English Learning Coach. I have also taught Psychology. I am in my first year as a professionally certified English teacher.

Pam Chick - Office: Enrollment Specialist I am a retired banker, having worked with Wachovia Bank for 30 years. I was in the branch system for 20 years prior to working with the real estate loans. In the branch I was branch manager/loan officer of several branches in Columbia. My largest branch managing was 15 employees and we won several years in a row, top branch in state. Rather than retiring, I decided to refocus my energy from systems to people. PSE has given me a great opportunity to connect with prospective students and parents.

Cassandra Eckstorm - Math Teacher I have a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and a Master's of Education in Remediation. I've taught both middle school and high school math for over 15 years, with 5 of those years as an online teacher with PSE. I am a National Board Certified Teacher, having taught all math courses from Pre-Algebra through AP Calculus. I was teacher of the year for PSE in 2009.

Caroline Fernandez - German Teacher, ESL Coordinator I received my BS in German and International Trade from Clemson University. I received my Master's degree in German from University of Florida with a special emphasis on teaching German as a foreign language. I previously taught German and Japanese on the K12 level for 15 years and have been with PSE for 5 years. I also have experience in the world of international trade through a business background in sales, marketing, and transportation logistics. I hold a membership in the American Association of Teachers of German and a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language with additional certification in teaching young learners and business students.

Debbie Harrison - Office: Business Manager I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and have retired from the medical field industry where I worked as the business manager for various doctor offices. I worked as a Practice Manager with OrthoCarolina and then Carolinas Healthcare. I enjoy volunteer work in my community and through my church, and am married to a minister. I have three daughters and six grandchildren.

Annette Havens - Science Teacher I have a BS in Chemistry and a Master's in Teaching. In my first teaching position in a brick and mortar high school I taught chemistry, AP chemistry and physics. I taught forensic chemistry via distance education through the Governor's School for Science and Math. During my time as a virtual school teacher I have also taught forensic science, marine science, environmental science, digital photography and now computer fundamentals. In 2002 and 2011, I had the honor of being selected Teacher of the Year. I've also worked on curriculum development projects since 2008 and have sponsored several clubs at PSE. I currently co-sponsor the Science Club and am on the Prom Committee.

Terry Hipp - Special Education Teacher I began my career as a resource special education teacher in Pickens County. After three years, I moved to Hilton Head Island where I taught both self-contained students and resource students for 30 years. Immediately following my retirement from Beaufort County Schools, the parent of a former special needs student asked me to tutor her son who was embarking on an exciting and innovative concept in education – online high school. After a year of working closely with the faculty and staff, I was asked to join the PSE family and have been teaching online for 4 years.

Shelly Hudson - Math Teacher Teaching is my second major career. I spent several years as a business owner in the Satellite/Cable industry before returning to college and graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics. I started teaching in 1998. I returned to graduate school and earned my Master's in Secondary Education. I have been teaching virtual courses since 2006. I have taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Algebra 3/Trigonometry, Pre- Calculus, Math Strategies, and Geometry.

Sybil Lauderdale - Special Education Teacher I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary education from Erskine College, a certification in Special Education from Converse College, and a Master's degree in Administration from Pepperdine University. I taught a wide range of grade-levels and disciplines in the regular brick and mortar school for 31 years before retiring. I now work for PSE as a special education teacher.

John Loveday - Admin: Assistant Principal I have worked with virtual schools in South Carolina since 2008, serving in various roles including: curriculum developer, teacher, department head, and most recently as a school administrator. Before working with virtual schools, I worked with several public and private schools in the Columbia, South Carolina area. I attended the University of South Carolina earning a: Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Master of Teaching-Secondary Education degree, and a Master in Educational Administration degree.

Robin Owens - Office: Student Orientation & Graduation Coach I have an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. I am currently attending Florida Institute of Technology to obtain my BA in Psychology and plan to teach high school Social Studies after graduating. In my 5 years with PSE, I have held many positions, but I am currently the facilitator of the New Student Orientation class and Graduation Coach. In June of 2012, I co-presented at two national conferences, Online Teaching Conference in San Jose, CA and INACOL in New Orleans, LA.

Jean Redfearn - Math Teacher I have a BS in Mathematics and a Master's of Arts in Secondary Mathematics from the University of South Carolina. I have been in education for 30+ years and this is my second year as an online teacher with PSE. As an online teacher I have taught classes ranging from GED and SAT Prep, Algebra, Geometry, and up through AP and Dual-credit Statistics. I am a certified graphing calculator trainer for teachers and have also served as an AP Statistics and PRAXIS exams reader. I have presented at many state-wide and national conferences and have been honored in the past as Teacher of the Year at the school and district levels.

Amanda Reilly - Spanish Teacher I have been teaching for over 13 years, 5 of those years have been as an online teacher. I have a BA in Spanish and am currently working on my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. I started teaching in Charlotte, NC after graduating from UNC Charlotte. I taught Spanish for three years in NC before moving to South Carolina. I taught for the Charleston County School District before joining PSE. I teach Spanish levels 1-3 and Digital Photography, currently. In the past, I have taught Career Planning and Skills for Success.

Pam Sanders - Admin: Special Education Coordinator After working for many years in mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, social work, chaplaincy, etc, I went back to school to become certified to teach in the area of special education. I taught for 3 years in North Carolina before moving back to South Carolina where I taught at Gaffney High School, Adult Education and Cherokee Technology Center before teaching at Palmetto State E-cademy. I have grown more professionally over the past 5 years with PSE than at any other time in my teaching career. I teach Learning Strategies, and also serve as the school's special education and 504 coordinator.

Meredith Smith - Math Learning Coach I graduated from Furman University in 1999, and moved to Savannah, GA. I taught high school math for two years in Georgia, and this is my 12th year teaching high school math in South Carolina. Over the years I have taught Math Tech 1, Math Tech 2, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, three levels of Geometry, Pre-Calculus, SAT prep math, Mathematics of Finance, Statistics, Honors Calculus and AP Calculus. I received my Master's in Education in 2005, and I was certified to teach Adolescent - Young Adult Math through the National Board in 2006.

Rachel Stokes - English Teacher After working as an Editor and Graphic Designer in the private sector, I began my teaching career at Greer Middle School before attending graduate school. I have also taught at Blue Ridge High School, Furman University, and Greenville Senior High Academy. I currently teach British Literature and American Literature at PSE, but have also taught AP English Literature, Major Literary Genres, Journalism, Yearbook Production, and Creative Writing during my career. I am also an AP Reader with The College Board for the AP Literature Exam and have presented at the National Council for Teachers of English in 2012.

Dr. Barbara Stoops - Admin: Executive Director/Principal I have been in education for more than 18 years and began teaching online courses at the college and university level in 1998. In my last position before becoming the founding Director of Insight School of South Carolina and later PSE, I supervised over 300 online teachers in Axia College of the University of Phoenix. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University, my Master’s Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University, and my Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix in 2008. Prior to my career in education, I was the Assistant Director of Special Projects for the Roper Foundation in Charleston. My husband and I have five children and 13 grandchildren – plus our two dogs who ensure that our house stays lively at all times.

Glenda Suber - Office: Counselor I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and worked as a supervisor at the regional office of the American Red Cross,Data Processing Department for 15 years. When our company relocated to North Carolina, I was able to flex my work schedule over the next three years to earn a Master's degree in Counseling. After graduating, I started working for PSE as a school Counselor and this is my 5th year with PSE.

Necie Tanner - History Teacher This is my sixth year of teaching Social Studies in the state of South Carolina. Before that, I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for nine years in Japan. This is now my fifth year of teaching online. I also have a year of experience teaching in a charter school for at-risk students. I have a Masters degree in Education from University of Phoenix and did my student teaching at a DoDDS school (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) in S. Korea. I have native knowledge of Tagalog and Japanese languages. Currently, I am teaching World Civilization, Economics, U. S. Government, and Internet & Web Design.

Stephanie Wheelis - History Teacher I have been a teacher for five years and this is my second year as an online teacher. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education and will be graduating with my Master’s in Education in May. I began my teaching career in Los Lunas, New Mexico. My husband’s naval career has taken us from New Mexico, to Connecticut, finally making our home in South Carolina. Throughout my career, I have taught New Mexico History, Global Studies, United States Government, United States History, World Geography, and World History.

Tiffany Willis - English Teacher I have a BS in English Education, a Master's in Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction, and a M. Ed for Educational Leadership. I began teaching in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 at Bethune Bowman High School and taught there for two years. I relocated to Columbia, SC and taught in Fairfield County at Fairfield Central High School for 3 years. I have taught English I, II, HSAP Prep Courses, Creative Writing, English III and Middle School ELA. This is my second year teaching online with PSE.