Maggie is back for her second summer at Camp Spring Creek. She’s always eager to continue growing as an educator and makes learning fun! She blended seamlessly into our camp family last summer and we’re looking forward to seeing her both in her tutoring room and enjoying all of the activities of camp.
Tell us about where you’re from!
I’m from Greenville, SC, in the Upstate. We’re nestled close to the mountains and just about three hours from the beach, which makes it easy to enjoy both. Our downtown is especially charming—a place where people of all ages can explore unique shops, visit an incredible toy store, and search for the tiny mice hidden throughout the area. It’s become a fun scavenger hunt, even inspiring a whole book dedicated to finding them.
What do you do during the school year?
During the school year, I teach at Lakes and Bridges Charter School, one of the first public charter schools in the country, established to support students with dyslexia. I’ve been there for seven years and have loved watching it grow. A fun fact: a documentary was filmed at the school, and my classroom was even shown in it.
What keeps you coming back to Camp Spring Creek?
What I love most is the close-knit community the camp creates. The tutors truly support one another, helping each other grow while also pouring that same care into our students. I also enjoy taking part in some of the camp activities, like capture the flag and tubing. As someone who used to work at a traditional camp, I still find those moments bring a smile to my face most days.
What was one of the highlights from working at Camp Spring Creek last summer?
It’s hard to choose just one highlight from last summer. As one of the new tutors, it definitely took me some time to settle in and adjust to camp. I loved watching how much the campers grew over the summer—both in tutoring and in all of the activities. I also really enjoyed the chance to go glassblowing at Hearth.
What are you looking forward to the most this summer?
This summer, I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and grow as a tutor, watching the camp come together as a close-knit family, and, of course, having many adventures together in North Carolina.
How did you become interested in getting trained in Orton-Gillingham?
As a dyslexic myself, I spent my first through eighth-grade years at a specialized school for children with dyslexia, then when I got to high school, I realized just how lucky I was to have gotten the help I needed and that not everyone was that lucky. At that point, I made it my goal to give students who couldn't afford private schools access to Orton-Gillingham methods. Now, I work during the school year at a public charter school designed to support students with dyslexia, which is where I was originally trained.
Who was your most influential teacher? What made them a great teacher for you?
I believe this question is quite fluid for me. I was fortunate to have many incredible teachers throughout my education, especially at a school designed for children with dyslexia, where the staff truly understood my needs. Currently, I have the privilege of working with two of my favorite teachers from my childhood. One is my principal, who trained me in the Orton-Gillingham method, and the other teaches math just down the hall. I consider them among the most influential figures in my life, as they continue to support my efforts to help students succeed and grow as a teacher.
What might campers be surprised to learn about you?
I think campers would be surprised to learn that I wasn’t a happy camper growing up—ironically, as someone who now literally counts down to camp from the moment I get home each year. I really struggled with homesickness, and camp just wasn’t for me. That all changed right after college, when I got my first opportunity to work at a camp in Pennsylvania. I fell in love with the experience and now can’t imagine my life without camp each summer.
What is your favorite book or series that you’ve read?
As an elementary school teacher, I am forever reading children's books! I love Charlotte's Web. Last summer, I also really enjoyed reading Crenshaw to the middle girls each night.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment recently was competing in my gym’s competition. It was very challenging, and even when I wanted to give up, I kept showing up and practicing—even when things got hard. The experience gave me a powerful reminder of what it feels like to struggle as a student while still pushing yourself to improve.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I'm not very good at sitting still, but I love going to the gym, hanging out with family and friends, and watching movies or television.
Ask me about the time I… traveled to Europe.
What advice would you give a camper trying something new for the first time?
You eat an elephant one bite at a time. Sometimes things seem big and overwhelming but breaking them into small chunks makes them more manageable. You can do hard things, and your counselors and tutors have your back at camp!
