Dr. Tiffany Estes Named Executive Director of Anderson Institute of Technology ⚙️🎉
ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson School Districts 3, 4, & 5 Superintendents have named a new executive director for the collaborative Anderson Institute of Technology that serves high school students in Anderson, Pendleton, Starr, and Iva.
Dr. Tiffany Estes, a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience in education, has taken over as AIT's Executive Director following the retirement of Dr. Bob Couch.
Dr. Estes began her teaching career in Cobb County, Georgia, teaching Special Education at the secondary level. After several years, Dr. Estes moved to Massachusetts and worked with students with severe behavioral disabilities at an alternative program. During her tenure in Pittsfield, she developed a program for students in the district's alternative program to receive Carnegie Units at the district's high school to obtain a High School Diploma. Dr. Estes was then promoted to Special Education Unit Leader. In this leadership position, she supervised all of the district's high school Special Education programs.
"Dr. Estes' experience with diverse students and her leadership in early college programs makes her more than qualified to lead and create collaborative programs for the diverse student population from all three school districts," said Kathy Hipp, Anderson 3 Superintendent. "We have confidence that Dr. Estes will lead AIT to be a premier career and technical center in South Carolina as we work to provide the students of Anderson Co"- Kathy Hipp, Anderson 3 Superintendent.
In 2005, Dr. Estes moved to South Carolina and has worked in various positions at the secondary and district levels. She continued her career as a Special Education Teacher, and in 2009 she became Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Woodmont Middle School in Greenville County. In 2013, she was transferred to the principal position at Greenville Early College, a specialized program focused on preparing first-generation college students for post-secondary opportunities. During her leadership at Greenville Early College, she expanded the program from 6th-12th grade, with the inaugural class graduating in 2019.
"Anderson 4 is pleased to welcome Dr. Estes to AIT. Dr. Estes' professionalism, knowledge, and work ethic will be vital to the continued success of AIT in the future. We are confident in Dr. Estes' leadership to provide our students with 21st-century job skills and training for their next step." - Dee Christopher, Anderson 4 Superintendent.
After 12 years in Greenville County, she moved to Anderson School District 1 as their Director of Planning, Development, and Student Services. Her position in Anderson 1 encompassed many responsibilities, such as supervising and developing federal Programs, Strategic Planning, Cognia accreditation, grant writing, budgets, Career and Technology Education, Mental Health, Nurses (including the district's liaison for Covid-19), School Counselors, Instruction, and Safety. She was instrumental in expanding mental health services throughout Anderson 1 with partnerships with the District Mental Health Counselors, Department of Mental Health, Anderson County Board of Education, and Carolina Family Services. Through these partnerships, the district was able to offer Tier I, II, and III mental health services to all students in the district. With a strong background in school safety, Dr. Estes proposed the development of a county-wide safety team with all 5 Anderson School Districts, Anderson County Sheriff's Office, and Anderson County's Emergency Management Department, including developing Emergency Operation and Reunification plans and procedures.
"Dr. Estes is the perfect leader to build upon the strong foundation at AIT, and her wealth of experience in preparing students for post-secondary opportunities will benefit not only AIT but the entire county," said Superintendent Brenda Kelley of Anderson School District Five. "We are thrilled to welcome her to our school districts and are excited by the transformative leadership and innovative approaches she brings to education."
Dr. Estes is married to Travis, who is retired from the Navy and Public Safety. They have four adult children, and she is "Coco" to her sweet granddaughter. Dr. Estes and her husband reside in Anderson. Her hobbies include traveling, sports, and spending time with family.
"To provide innovative opportunities for students in Anderson County, we must continue to teach the advanced skills needed for business and industry in our region," said Dr. Tiffany Estes. "I am eager to lead Anderson Institute of Technology as we continue cultivating community, industry, and educational partnerships and opportunities."