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Green Step Mentors

Mentors
Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds and professions, showing just how broad the field of environmental education can be. Our mentors include
4-H leaders, classroom teachers, master gardeners, naturalists, conservation district staff, entomologists, water resource agents, park rangers, climate scientists, state employees, college professors, and dedicated volunteers—all united by a shared commitment to bringing sustainability into your classroom.
To find a mentor, select your county below. If there isn't a mentor specific to your county (YET!), our statewide and regional mentors are open to schools in all or multiple counties.
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Find A Mentor

Statewide Mentors

Lexi Toole
alexandra.thomason@des.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Erin Rosebrock 
erin.rosebrock@des.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Esther Wagner
ewagner@palmettopride.org
PalmettoPride
Education Program Manager

Ari Hippensteal
hippensteala@dnr.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Natural Resources
Conservation Educator

Melissa Griffin
griffinm@dnr.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Natural Resources
CoCoRaHS
Assistant State Climatologist

Morgan Treon
morgan.treon@scseagrant.org
SC Sea Grant Consortium
Seeds to Shoreline
Marine Education Specialist

Jaclin DuRant
jaclin.durant@des.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator

Beata DeWitt
beata.dewitt@des.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Environmental Services
Bureau of Air Quality
Environmental Health Manager

Beth Foley
foleye@dnr.sc.gov
SC Dept. Natural Resources
Conservation Education Coordinator

Regional Mentors

Mary Rhett Davidson
davidsonmr@dnr.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Natural Resources
Trout in the Classroom
Aquatic Education Coordinator
(Anderson, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, and Richland)

Sydni Wilson
swilson@kmbsc.org
Keep the Midlands Beautiful
Program Coordinator
(Lexington and Richland)

Maeve Snyder
snailseednativeplants@gmail.com
SC Native Plant Society
Member
(Lowcountry)

Rick Huffman
rick_huffman@earthdesignssc.com
SC Native Plant Society
Member
(Upstate)

Jay Keck
jay@scwf.org
SC Wildlife Federation
Industry Habitat Manager
(Richland and Lexington)

Ben Sease
bsease@ed.sc.gov
SC Dept. of Education
Farm to School
Program Coordinator
(Calhoun and Lexington)

Matt Schnabel
mschnabel@scfc.gov
SC Forestry Commission
Environmental Education Coordinator
(Calhoun, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland)

Shelby Bentley
sbentley@scfc.gov
SC Forestry Commission
Asst. Environmental Education Coordinator
(Calhoun, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland)

David Jenkins
djenkins@scfc.gov
SC Forestry Commission
Entomologist
(Calhoun, Lexington, and Richland)

Abbeville County Mentors

Lucy Charping
lucyw@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Aiken County Mentors

Brianna Bailey
bbailey@aikencountysc.gov
Aiken County Stormwater
Engineering Technician

Holly DeVault
holly.devault@uga.edu
Savannah River Ecology Lab
Outreach Coordinator

Sonya Terry
aikensoilandwater@gmail.com
Aiken Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

Kelly Schepens
kellys@usca.edu
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
Director of Student Programs

Kandace Cave
 kcave@aikencountysc.gov
Keep Aiken County Beautiful
Program Coordinator

Anderson County Mentors

AnnMarie Pauley
annmarie.pauley@andersonswcd.org
Anderson Soil and Water Conservation
Education and Outreach Coordinator

Steph Dean
sndean@clemson.edu
Clemson University Department of Teaching and Learning
Assistant Professor

 

Steven O'Shields
oshiel3@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Beaufort County Mentors

Taylor Brewer
taylor.brewer@bcgov.net
Beaufort County Government
Stormwater Program Manager

Michelle Onoff
michelle.bswcd@gmail.com
Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

Sara O'Conner
sarae.bswcd@gmail.com
Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

Valentina Palacio-Ruiz
laura.palacioruiz@bcgov.net
Beaufort County Government
Environmental Education Coordinator

Debby Way
jway_25@hotmail.com
Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
Education Specialist

Leslie Meola
bftswcd@gmail.com
Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

Calhoun County Mentors

Mary Dixon
mdixon@calhouncounty.sc.gov
Calhoun Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

Charleston County Mentors

E.V. Bell 
pc@eeasc.org
EEASC/Green Step Schools
Program Coordinator

Chester County Mentors

Amanda Lutz
lutz9@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Darlington County Mentors

Geraldine Cuypers
gcuyper@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Dani Chaplan
marie.chaplin@sc.nacdnet.net
Darlington Soil and Water Conservation
Administrative Assistant

Dorchester County Mentors

Tammi McAlhany
tammi@mcalhany@usda.gov
Dorchester Soil and Water Conservation
Office Coordinator

Florence County Mentors

Allison Anderson
alison@keepflorencebeautiful.org
Keep Florence Beautiful
Volunteer & Education Coordinator

Geraldine Cuypers
gcuyper@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Greenwood County Mentors

Amber Nappier
anappier@greenwoodsc.gov
Greenwood County Government
Litter Prevention Coordinator

Greenville County Mentors

Samantha Hart
samanthakhart10@gmail.com
Environmental Educator

Summer Gagnon
sgagnon@greenvillecounty.org
Greenville County
Litter Prevention Coordinator

Mary Lou Jones 
mjones4498@gmail.com
Greenville Council of Garden Clubs
Volunteer

Andrew Talkish
atalkish@greenvillecounty.org
Greenville County
Sustainability Program Manager

Kendall Juell
kjuell@greenvillecounty.org
Greenville Soil and Water Conservation
Stormwater Programs Coordinator

Jackie Hong
hosyemooi@hotmail.com
Taylors Elementary
Volunteer

Horry County Mentors

Mike Walker
mwalker@scprt.com
Huntington Beach State Park
Interpretive Ranger

Kendra Dickerson
kdickerson@solidwasteauthority.org
Horry County Solid Waste Authority
Recycling Coordinator

Kershaw County Mentors

Ashley Branham
aebranh@clemson.edu
Nature as Teacher
Interim Program Coordinator

Keith Willoughby
director@eeasc.org
EEASC
Executive Director

Laurens County Mentors

Tanya Towne
ttowne@laurens55.org
Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center
Director

Lexington County Mentors

Kassidy Roof
krooflswcd@gmail.com
Lexington Soil and Water Conservation
District Manager

Teresa Randolph
teamlandolph@gmail.com
Team Landolph
Executive Director

Kate Resinski
kresinski@lexingtoncountysc.gov
Lexington County
Stormwater Outreach Assistant

Marion County Mentors

Lisa Wilds
lisa.wilds@sc.nacdnet.net
Marion Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

Newberry County Mentors

Mallory Jane Fulmer
mjpitts@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Ginny Holt
ginny.holt395@gmail.com
Master Gardener & Naturalist
Volunteer

Crista Lukoski
newberrysoil&water@gmail.com
Newberry Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

Oconee County Mentors

Lil Ledford
ledfor7@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Alicia Adams
aadams@oconeesc.com
Oconee County
Recycling Coordinator

Cheryl Murphy
cvmurphy35@gmail.com
Master Gardener
Volunteer

Orangeburg County Mentors

Diane Curlee
dcurlee@orangeburgcounty.org
Orangeburg Soil and Water Conservation
Education Coordinator

Richland County Mentors

Rosemary Martin-Jones
rosema2@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Jennifer Mancke
jenmanckeearthed@gmail.com
Richland Soil and Water Conservation
Green Steps Mentor

Leonora Dillon
leonora.dillon@columbiasc.gov
Columbia Water
Communications Coordinator

Spartanburg County Mentors

Amanda Karls
akarls@uscupstate.edu
USC Upstate
Director of Institutional Excellence &
Compliance

Claire Roussos
c.b.roussos@gmail.com
Tyger River Foundation

John Ratterree
ratterrj@uscupstate.edu
USC Upstate Watershed Ecology Center
Operations Coordinator

Sumter County Mentors

Cassie Castleberry
castleb@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
Water Resources Agent

Cathy Perry
greengirlteach@gmail.com
Volunteer

Anna Makiewicz
sumterswcd@gmail.com
Sumter Soil and Water Conservation
District Director

York County Mentors

Kristin Kunde
kkunde@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent

Caroline Adams
yorkswcoordinator@gmail.com
York Soil and Water Conservation
District Coordinator

Abigail Taylor
atayl27@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension
Urban Horticulture Agent

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Why Become a mentor
  • Support the next generation: Help students and teachers develop real-world environmental projects that make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.
  • Share your expertise: Use your environmental knowledge and experience to guide schools through meaningful, hands-on learning.
  • Build professional connections: Network with other educators, mentors, and environmental leaders across South Carolina.
  • Inspire change: Play a direct role in fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among young learners.
  • Gain recognition: Be celebrated as a Green Step Mentor at statewide events and showcase your contributions to environmental education.

How To Become A Mentor

  • Learn about the program: Review the Green Steps pages to understand the program’s goals, process, and project examples.
  • Update your profile: Email the program coordinator a recent photo and any updates for your mentor profile so schools can easily contact you.
  • Get trained: Attend a Green Steps Train & Update session, either in person or online, to stay current on program expectations and resources.
  • Connect with your school team: Meet with your assigned school in the fall to help them design meaningful, realistic, and eco-friendly projects that fit their goals and community.
  • Confirm your role: Submit the form to the program coordinator, listing the schools and projects you’re supporting.
  • Offer guidance year-round: Serve as a resource, advisor, and encourager as your schools work through their projects.
  • Help document progress: Ask schools for photos or videos with captions showing students learning (from an adult), doing (applying knowledge), and teaching (sharing what they learned).
  • Evaluate in the spring: Meet again with your school to review and discuss the project’s progress and outcomes.
  • Assess projects: Judge each project using the Green Step criteria—significance, model quality, establishment, sustainability, and documentation.
  • Submit evaluations: Complete and email the Green Step Schools Evaluation Form by May 1, including all projects you mentored.
  • Celebrate success: Attend a state workshop or regional kickoff event to receive your award and connect with other mentors and schools.
Timeline
  • Summer/Fall: Do your research, connect with a school, choose a project, and get started! Contact gss@eeasc.org to gain access to the necessary forms.
  • January 31: Collaborate with school teacher to complete top portion and first four columns of the Green Step Evaluation Form; mentors submit form.
  • April 25: Visit your school for your teacher to present their project success before April 25 for their final critiques.
  • May 1: Mentors submit final and completed Green Step Evaluation Form. All due dates are firm to ensure the success of your project.
Two educators studying the contents of a soil sample.