Palmetto NavigatEd is powered by Palmetto Promise Institute, a 501(c)3 organization. We exist to put opportunity and success within reach of every K-12 student in South Carolina through a quality education that fits their needs so they can experience the American Dream. We were founded out of the work started with the South Carolina School Choice Alliance and MySCEducation. We expanded to become Palmetto NavigatEd to better serve parents, providers, the public – and ultimately the students and families of South Carolina.
In South Carolina, we’re proud of our roots and our culture. We hope to see our children put down roots here. That’s why we’re committed to creating a state where opportunity and success are in reach for all our children.
Every South Carolina child experiences a K-12 education that fits their unique needs and prepares them for a future of opportunity and success.
To empower parents to give their child a K-12 education that meets their needs and to support providers to create a vibrant market of high-quality education options to serve South Carolina students and families.
ESTF Implementation Coordinator
Teshia McIver is committed to ensuring that families and community partners not only understand what “school choice” truly means—but also have the tools, resources, and confidence to navigate their education options and make informed decisions for their children’s education. Teshia’s professional journey has taken her across the education spectrum—from partnering with traditional public and charter schools, to collaborating with higher education institutions, government agencies, and grassroots organizations. Growing up as an “Army Brat,” she experienced challenges of frequent relocations and unstable schooling, long before “school choice” options existed. The lack of options shaped both her advocacy and her parenting. She is proud to be the first college graduate among her parents’ ten children, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. When raising her own son in the Aiken area, she was intentional about creating a personalized educational journey for him—utilizing everything from early reading intervention and homeschooling, to both public and choice-based school settings. In the 2024–2025 school year, Teshia served as an ELA writing teacher at a charter school. While she found fulfillment in the classroom, she realized her greatest impact lies in working directly with families and educators—helping them confidently navigate the education system and discover what works best for their child.
President & CEO, Palmetto Promise Institute
Wendy Damron leads Palmetto Promise Institute and its school choice initiatives with a clear mission: helping South Carolina families understand their education options and access the opportunities that fit their children best. Under her leadership, PPI has become the state’s trusted hub for navigating private, charter, homeschool, and out-of-district public school choices, as well as the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program.
Since becoming CEO in 2023, Wendy has guided major wins for educational freedom, launched the ESA Families Rescue Fund to support students during the recent court setback, expanded parent outreach, and built strong partnerships with schools and education providers across the state. She is committed to making school choice simple, accessible, and empowering for every South Carolina family.
