We’re thrilled to welcome Nancy to our 2026 tutoring team at Camp Spring Creek! Nancy is an experienced educator who discovered Orton-Gillingham through her own son’s dyslexia journey. She is excited to help our campers build confidence while exploring the outdoors of western North Carolina.
Tell us about where you’re from!
I’m from Maryland!
How did you become interested in tutoring and Orton-Gillingham?
My very bright and creative son could tell me all the capitals in the world, but he had trouble spelling the word “fish.” Even though I had studied special and elementary education, I realized I didn’t yet have the right tools to teach him to read. That journey led me to Orton-Gillingham and changed the way I teach forever.
What might campers be surprised to learn about you?
I lived in a thatch hut in the jungle for two years with no electricity or running water!
What made you want to spend your summer at Camp Spring Creek?
There’s nothing I love more than helping kids learn to read—and helping kids learn to read while exploring the great outdoors? Amazing!
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
Meeting wonderful people, learning from my fellow tutors, and going on lots of fun adventures!
What do you do during the school year?
I’m the neurodivergent specialist at Fusion Academy, where I teach middle and high school students. I’m also excited to be launching my own business next year: Beautiful Brains Literacy.
What is your favorite book or series that you’ve read?
I love The Outsiders, The Hunger Games, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Book Thief, and Hinds' Feet on High Places. I also love nonfiction and am currently reading Who You Were Meant to Be—so good!
How would your closest friends describe you?
Adventurous, creative, and thoughtful.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
“Your two legs to stand on in life are Majesty and Endurance. Majesty, because you have a uniquely beautiful way about you that no one else in the universe has ever had or ever will have. And Endurance, because life can be hard.”
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Helping my students publish their books...and publishing my own!
How do you like to spend your free time?
Playing games with friends and family, traveling, caving, hiking, paddleboarding, speaking, reading, and writing.
Ask me about the time I… had to face a creepy, crawly tarantula … by myself … in the dark.