Walter L. Tobin, Ed.D., a native of Blackville, S.C., has dedicated close to 60 years to public education and to improving the lives of young people across the state. A lifelong educator and respected leader, he was named the 2018 recipient of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the South Carolina Educator Hall of Fame in 2022. He is widely recognized for his visionary leadership, collaborative spirit and tireless commitment to student success.

Tobin began his administrative career in 1969 as principal of Voorhees and Denmark-Olar High Schools. He later served in key leadership roles with the South Carolina Department of Education, including Secondary Supervisor and Director of the Office of Adult Education. As superintendent of Lexington School District Four and Orangeburg School District Five, he led initiatives to expand educational access, strengthen college and career readiness and improve facilities and resources for students and educators.

Throughout his career, Tobin received numerous honors, including the Benjamin E. Mays Distinguished Alumnus Award from South Carolina State University, the South Carolina Department of Education’s first Tech Prep Superintendent of the Year Award, the Outstanding Superintendent Award from the South Carolina School Boards Association and SCASA’s Superintendent of the Year Award. He also served SCASA in several leadership capacities, including president of the organization and of both the Superintendents’ and Secondary Principals’ affiliates. Following his retirement, he returned to educational leadership as an interim superintendent in districts across South Carolina, including Allendale, Calhoun, Denmark-Olar 2, Edgefield, Fairfield, Hampton, Lee, Newberry, Orangeburg 4 and Spartanburg 7. His leadership helped guide districts through transitions, improve academic services, support facility improvements and expand technology access for students and teachers.

Tobin has presented at local, state and national levels on topics including school leadership, adult learning, applied learning and school discipline. His career is defined by a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, service to community and the development of future generations. The lasting impact of his leadership continues to be felt in schools and communities across the state. 

Tobin has been married to his wife, the former Bernice Young, for more than 50 years. They have two children, Walter A. (Kim Kim) and Candice, and two grandchildren, Bishop and Jack. The Tobins are active members of Second Calvary Baptist Church, Columbia. Together, they have raised nearly a half million dollars for Type 1 diabetes research.

Anna Estes is in her eleventh year as an educator. She has been married to her wonderful husband, James, for eight years. She has a beautiful two-year old son, Hamilton. The family enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors. 

Estes is a proud 2014 graduate, earning her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Prior to college, she received her high school diploma from Pee Dee Academy in Marion, S.C., where she was born and raised. During her first year as an educator, Estes began pursuing an M.Ed. degree in Education and Leadership from Southern Wesleyan University. She completed that degree in 2017. 

After college, Estes began her teaching career in Lexington School District Two where she proudly still teaches today. She began teaching third grade at B.C. Grammar School No. 1. She currently teaches a phenomenal group of second graders at Herbert A. Wood Elementary. She has also taught first grade and served as a MultiLingual Learner support teacher. 

Her district has provided her with many wonderful opportunities to further her education experience and develop as a leader. Over the years, she has become a certified South Carolina Mentor as well as a 4.0 Evaluator. Estes has also been certified as a Sheltered Intrusion Observation Protocol trainer.

When she is not in her classroom, you can find her coaching high school cheerleading, outdoors on a walk, playing with her son or baking. She absolutely loves what she does and is thankful to live out her passion each and every day! 

Sarah Campbell Harllee, originally from Easley, S.C., is a lifelong learner dedicated to building relationships with her students and creating real-world connections within her English Language Arts classroom. She has a passion for meeting students’ academic and social-emotional needs so that students in her class
feel seen, supported and valued.

Sarah is a 2021 graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Education, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education with a concentration in English and Social Studies. Sarah graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and earned Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement.

While earning her bachelor’s degree, Sarah had the incredible honor of being a member of the Teaching Fellows program, where she served as vice president, and later president. Upon graduation, Sarah continued her studies, receiving her master’s degree in Language and Literacy from the USC College of Education in 2023. During this time, Sarah gained valuable experience interning with the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and assisting in the College of Education’s Gamecock EdQuarters.

Currently, Sarah teaches sixth-grade English Language Arts at Cyril B. Busbee
Creative Arts Academy in Lexington School District Two, where she earned the 2023–2024 Lexington School District Two Middle School Rookie Teacher of the Year Award. She serves as the sixth-grade team leader, SIC representative and is a member of the Arts Steering Committee. Sarah is a CarolinaTIP completer and will graduate with her master’s in Education Administration from the College of Education later this year.

Sarah thoroughly enjoys giving back to the College of Education through her involvement with the Teaching Fellows Advisory Board and the Educator Preparation Advisory Council.

Sarah lives in Columbia with her husband, Dylan, and their two Labrador
Retrievers. When she’s not teaching, Sarah can be found cheering on the Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium, visiting Disney World or taking a Disney Cruise, spending time with her friends and family, traveling to the mountains of Tennessee or reading on her Kindle.

Elizabeth Poda King, Ed.D., is a veteran educator currently serving as the Social Studies Coordinator and AVID District Director for Lexington County School District One. She collaborates with educators to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students, preparing them for college, career and citizenship. Her previous experience includes teaching middle and high school social studies, serving as a Secondary Content Specialist and working at the S.C. Department of Education.

Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Political Science, a M.T. in Social Studies, a M.Ed. in Administration, an Ed.S. degree and an Ed.D. in Education Systems Improvement, all from the University of South Carolina. This loyalty resulted in hours of searching for metered parking spots and studying in Wardlaw College.

USC holds a special place in Elizabeth’s heart. It is where her parents met and where she met her husband, Brian. They remain deeply connected to the university by attending sporting events to cheer on the Gamecocks, visiting their favorite local restaurants and participating in campus events.

Elizabeth and her mother, Janice Poda, honor her father with the George A. Poda Memorial Scholarship recognizing a student in the College of Education who is pursuing a career in education. 

An experienced leader in professional learning at the local, state and national levels, Elizabeth specializes in integrating thinking into instruction, data-informed decision-making and assessment development. She has been recognized with several honors, including being named the 2023 Buckland Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the S.C. Council for the Social Studies. She has been awarded multiple grants from the state and federal departments of education and successfully co-led the review and revision of the 2020 S.C. Social Studies College- and Career-Ready Standards.

Professionally, Elizabeth has served as President of the S.C. Social Studies Supervisors Association, board member of the S.C. Council for the Social Studies and as an associate member of the Council of State Social Studies Specialists. She is also a longtime member of SCASA, ASCD, the National Council for the Social Studies, the S.C. Geographic Alliance and SC Economics.

Elizabeth and her husband, Brian, are proud parents of two middle school students. She has served as Chair of her local School Improvement Council, a parent/classroom liaison and on various parent committees. She enjoys playing in local USTA adult tennis leagues, attending her children’s sporting events and planning family vacations.

J.R. Green, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leadership expert, motivational speaker, and former Superintendent of the Year with more than three decades of service in public education. Known for his ability to inspire, unify and transform, Green delivers high-impact keynotes and workshops on leadership, culture, resilience and organizational growth.

During his 12-year tenure as Superintendent of Fairfield County School District, Green led a dramatic turnaround — guiding the district to achieve its first-ever National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, its first National Secondary Principal of the Year and the state’s first Teacher of the Year under his leadership. Prior to Green’s arrival, the district had experienced 12 superintendents in 20 years. His transformational leadership and sustained vision brought stability, innovation and results.

Now the CEO of Green Team Consulting, Green works with school systems, universities, corporate teams and nonprofits nationwide. His consulting engagements extend across a wide range of industries, where he facilitates professional development experiences that empower leaders to drive cultural transformation, improve strategic alignment and strengthen team capacity. Through his work, Green also plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between industry and education — helping connect corporate leaders with K–12 systems to develop mentorship pipelines, workforce readiness programs and innovative learning partnerships.

He is the author of Graveyard to Blooming Garden, a powerful reflection on leadership, perseverance and the power of vision to turn dysfunction into distinction. In 2024, Green was honored with the SCASA Lifetime Achievement Award for his legacy of impact in education and leadership.
Whether speaking to educators, executives, board members or community leaders, Green leaves audiences motivated to act and equipped to grow.

Earl Whatley, Ph.D. graduated from the University of Alabama where he received a B.A., Master’s degree and Ph.D. During his time in college, he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, served as the fraternity’s president and editor of the university’s Humor Magazine. Prior to receiving his doctorate, Whatley worked for the Department of Defense as a psychologist for the American Military School System in Poitiers, France. When he returned to the United States, he resumed his studies and teaching career at University of Alabama, completing his Ph.D. in Psychology and serving as Dean of Men. 

Whatley later taught at the University of Miami and completed a post-doctorate in Behavioral Psychology. He continued his career at the University of South Alabama and the University of South Carolina, where he was tenured. At USC, he taught and served as Area Dean in the College of Education under Dean Lessinger. 

Whatley later entered the consulting business and became Vice President of the Atlanta Consulting Group, a leadership training organization —ultimately forming his own company, Earl Whatley & Associates, Inc. He returned to Columbia and continued his consulting practice from 1996 until his retirement. As a consultant, Whatley conducted many training programs for the Darla Moore School of Business’s Daniel Management Center and received the 2001 Training Instructor of the Year award. Whatley worked as a consultant for more than 20 years and his clients included many Fortune 500 companies and federal government agencies. He was a registered consultant in the Government’s Federal Contractor System.

Whatley is a lifetime donor to USC. After growing up in the Wilmer Hall Orphanage in Mobile, Ala. from 3rd grade through high school, he has never forgotten the difference a helping hand can mean to a student. He believes that everything begins with an excellent education. He is appreciative of all who helped him along the way in life and is truly grateful of all the opportunities he was given. Whatley is a true example of Forever to Thee.

Kassi Tarlton earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing a M.Ed. in Education Administration (expected graduation in May 2026.) Her graduate studies have deepened her understanding of leadership in education while growing as a classroom teacher. She is particularly interested in how schools can support both student success and teacher sustainability through strong collaboration, mentorship and shared leadership.

Alongside her work with students, Tarlton is deeply passionate about supporting other educators — especially early career educators. She is a USC Master Coaching Teacher, working with student teachers to guide them as they develop their own instructional practices and classroom communities. As a graduate of CarolinaTIP, her passion to support early career teachers was ignited. These experiences have strengthened her belief that mentorship and collaboration are essential to building strong schools and sustaining the teaching profession.

In her own classroom, she creates an environment that supports the whole child. She believes learning should be joyful, creative and developmentally appropriate. She helps students build the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. Through collaboration and meaningful classroom routines, her students develop confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging. Her classroom feels like a family where every child knows they are capable, valued and supported.

Teaching kindergarten has taught her that some of the most important moments in education happen in small, everyday interactions, helping a student believe in themselves. Watching a child discover something new or supporting families as they begin their journey through school are moments that shape the way Tarlton approaches her work and remind her of her passion.

Outside of the classroom, Tarlton enjoys antiquing, reading and crafting, what she affectionately refers to as “granny hobbies.” She loves spending time with her family and pup, Kash. These quiet, creative moments help her recharge, inspiring the creativity and curiosity she brings to her classroom daily.