Valarie D. Byrd, MA – SCAET Chairwoman of the Board
Title: Senior Consultant-District Technology Services
Institution / Company: Office of Total Quality Management Director, Chief Information Office, South Carolina Department of Education
Board Member Since: 2010
About: Valarie has worked in education since 2007. She currently serves on several K12 education and technology focused boards and committees.
Salandra Bowman, PhD
Title: Interim Vice President of Education
Institution / Company: SCETV Education
Board Member Since: 2021
Victoria Gooch, CPM
Title: SC State E-Rate Coordinator
Institution / Company: Department of Administration, OTIS
Board Member Since: 2022
Dr. Carla Jefferson
Title: Principal
Institution / Company: Darlington County Virtual Academy/Darlington County School District
Board Member Since: 2022
About: Carla Jefferson is the proud principal of the Darlington County Virtual Academy for the Darlington County School District. A 26 year veteran educator, she's been a classroom teacher, curriculum facilitator, and district level administrator. Carla is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Educator/Trainer/Innovator, PBS Lead Digital Innovator, a frequent ISTE presenter and a 2020 ISTE featured speaker. Her work has been highlighted in several publications including ISTE Empowered Learner, Tech & Learning Magazine, and District Administrator. In addition to her serving on the SCAET board, Carla currently serves as the chairman of the SCASA Virtual School Roundtable and is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Board and lives by the creed, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"
Jason Jones - Treasurer
Institution / Company: AT&T
Board Member Since: 2021
Tina Leitzsey
Title: Director of Technology
Institution / Company: School District of Newberry County
Board Member Since: 2019
About: Tina has worked in education since 1997. She has served on several state technology committees. She was co-chair of the SC Association of School Administrators for 2019-2020 and currently serve as co-chair for 2020-2021.
Julie Putnam - Secretary
Title: Director for Web & Media Services
Institution / Company: Kershaw County School District
Board Member Since: 2011
Jeff Salter
Institution / Company: University of South Carolina
Board Member Since: 2015
Paula Yohe - Vice Chair
Title: Director of Technology and Information Systems
Institution / Company: Dillon School District Four
Board Member Since: 1984
About: Paula is one of the founding members of SCAET.
Bucky Ware
Title: Technology Integration Specialist
Institution / Company: School District of Newberry County
Board Member Since: 2025
About: Bucky Ware serves as Technology Integration Specialist for the School District of Newberry County. A 26-year veteran educator, he previously taught high school English and Journalism. Bucky advocates for instructional innovation, leading professional development and district-wide technology initiatives. He holds a Bachelor's in English from the University of Georgia, and a Masters of Education in Educational Technology from the American College of Education. Bucky also serves on the South Carolina Association of Education Technology Board, is a member of the National School Public Relations Association, and is a former chair of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators Instructional Technology Roundtable.
Jason Paddock
Title: Director of Instructional Technology
Institution / Company: Spartanburg School District Two
Board Member Since: 2025
About: My journey to serving as a Director of Instructional Technology began as an English teacher in 2006 at Spring Valley High School, where I pioneered use of Google Docs in the classroom and served Richland 2 in helping develop its one-to-one vision as part of their iPAC program. My family moved to Spartanburg in 2013, when I became a district instructional technology coach and managed the one-to-one program here. I now serve equally in the Technology and Instruction departments to ensure and support a singular vision of technology use in Spartanburg 2.
Jessica Preisig
Title: Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services
Institution / Company: School District of Pickens County
Board Member Since: 2025
About: Jessica Preisig serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services in the School District of Pickens County. Mrs. Preisig provides leadership for a talented technology team dedicated to the continued development of a robust and secure digital ecosystem. Her department provides support for instructional technology, end-user devices, audio-visual technology, safety & security systems, IT infrastructure & services, and information systems & compliance. Jessica is passionate about working alongside the larger SDPC team to create an innovative and engaging instructional environment that empowers students for college, career, and life success. During her 20+ years as an educator, Jessica has served as a classroom teacher, instructional technology coach, school administrator and district leader. She earned her initial undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of South Carolina prior to moving to upstate South Carolina, where she obtained an EdS in Administration and Supervision and will earn her doctorate from Clemson University.
Taphnie Sanders
Title: Director of Information Technology
Institution / Company: Orangeburg County School District
Board Member Since: 2025
About:Taphnie Sanders currently serves as the Executive Director of Information Technology for Orangeburg County School District, a role she has held since 2023. With more than 27 years of experience in the technology field, she brings a wealth of knowledge in educational technology, network infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Taphnie began her leadership journey in education as Technology Coordinator during the 2019 inaugural year of Orangeburg County School District, previously Orangeburg School Districts 3, 4 and 5. Her career spans roles in higher education at South Carolina State University and in K–12 with Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5, where she has served as a Network Administrator, Information Resource Consultant and Communications Specialist.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, minor in Mathematics from South Carolina State University and a Master’s degree in Network and Communications Management with a concentration in Cybersecurity from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management.
Taphnie is passionate about empowering students and educators through innovative and secure technology solutions. She is honored to serve as a Board Member for the South Carolina Association for Educational Technology (SCAET), where she looks forward to supporting statewide efforts to enhance digital learning environments.
Matt Hoffman
Title: Executive Director, Technology
Institution / Company: Clover School District, York #2
Board Member Since: 2025
About: Matt has been passionately involved in Educational Technology since 2007 with Clover School District. He was promoted to Executive Director of Technology in 2014 after successfully leading several key initiatives. Under Matt’s leadership, Clover proudly became a 1 to 1 school district utilizing the Apple Ecosystem, integrating Apple devices for enhanced learning experiences. Matt and his dedicated team support over 9,000 students and 1,100+ staff each day, ensuring device availability, connectivity, and security. Matt is deeply aware of the unique challenges faced by each student and stives to provide personalized support for both students and staff. Matt is committed to prioritizing the human element in Information Technology and ensuring that our goal is to support each child, not each device, each day.
John Anderson
Title: Director of Technology
Institution / Company: School District of Anderson 2
Board Member Since: 2025
About: John has worked in education technology since 2000. He is currently the Director Technology for Anderson School District Two.