Our Story

ADMINISTRATOR

Hello! I am the proud mama to my young son. Though I did not grow up in nature, my interest in nature-based education first began during research for my Bachelor's degree Capstone Project on the long-term benefits of play-based schooling and early education practices in countries such as Denmark. My interests grew after completing my Master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at UNC-Chapel Hill and working as a therapist for children ages 4+. In my work as a therapist, I noticed a strong need for greater amounts of preventative care for children's social, emotional, and physical well-being and felt drawn to therapies that took a holistic approach to children’s wellness, drawing from Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Mental Health perspectives. At Camelot Academy I have taught Kindergarten and have offered Wellness classes at the farm property for students grades K-12. In August 2021, I completed certification in nature-based teaching through Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. I have found a true passion for the power of nature-based experiences for child development and find myself constantly inspired and excited by all of the growth opportunities that I get to witness and be a part of with kids outdoors.

TEACHER

Hello! I am the mother of two young girls who ignited my passion for nature-based learning. My family loves being outdoors, and we are often found hiking, kayaking, splashing in the Eno River, building fairy houses, and creating art using natural materials. Ever since high school, I’ve dedicated my time to working with toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children. After receiving my Master’s in Social Work I spent two years as a child and family services caseworker. While I enjoyed working with families, most of my time was dedicated to the parents, and I missed being around children. This led me to join Teach For America. I worked in a rural public school setting in North Carolina for three years before moving to Durham and teaching kindergarten at Camelot Academy. Once my oldest daughter came along I took a break from Camelot but not from teaching. I led Music with Mar. classes until my second daughter was born. As she got older, I found myself longing to be surrounded by children once again but not wanting to return to a traditional classroom setting. This brought me back to Camelot. Thelma and I share a joint belief that children thrive in nature and that the school’s farm is a wonderful place for children of all ages to explore, grow, and play. I completed a certification for nature-based teaching through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools. This training combined with my personal research and experiences have-solidified my passion for nurturing our children’s innate curiosity and joy in connecting with nature.

TEACHER

Hi! I am a recent college graduate who majored in Psychology and have spent much of my life working with children and in nature. I have been a camp counselor, youth group leader, babysitter, and summer camp director! When it comes to working with children I approach each position with compassion, patience, fun, and responsibility. It is hard to be a kid, and I remember what it was like to be growing and learning at such a fast pace while grappling with my external world. This knowledge leads me to show up to support children and students with understanding and compassion. Additionally, I think the ability to play and have fun is one of the best parts about being a kid - not only that but it is an essential part of how they learn. Play is important to development! Therefore, I recognize play and exploration as an integral part of children’s lives and I encourage it whenever possible. Over the course of my college career when I was not working with children, I was working outdoors. I have worked on multiple farms, and these experiences proved to me how much nature inspires joy and curiosity within my own life. It then became my goal to share this love of nature with others and to integrate nature into working with children. Since kids already have an innate inclination to the natural world this was an easy goal to achieve. The Nature Start program allows me to achieve my goal by perfectly pairing nature with education.