Elementary Special Education Teacher
Years as a Camper: ‘09- ‘15, trainee ‘16- ‘17
Years as a Staff Member/Positions held: ‘18- ‘21
2018- JC
2019- SC, 1st Ever Pool Chief
2020- Pool Coordinator
2021- Day Camp Coordinator
Can you provide a brief overview of your job responsibilities?
I am an elementary special education teacher in Raleigh, NC. I teach children ages kindergarten through 3rd grade who have all different types of disabilities. I provide specially designed instruction for them at school and support them in reaching their full potential. I design lessons, teach, take data, lead meetings, and love on my students. I couldn’t imagine having another job.
Do you have any career advice for members of our Camp community?
Trust your gut. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and I didn’t allow outside noise or opinions to affect my decision. I absolutely love my job and I am so glad I stuck with my gut and my dream of becoming a teacher.
What do you believe have been some of your greatest personal and professional accomplishments? Is there a goal toward which you are currently working?
The biggest personal accomplishment is that I graduated with honors from UNC Chapel Hill during undergrad as well as completing my masters degree in teaching from UNC. At one point in my academic career, I never knew if going to UNC was possible so graduating with honors is one of my biggest accomplishments.
How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work and/or personal life?
Camp has taught me so much. Camp taught me to be my true and authentic self, and by being yourself you can find real friendships. Camp also taught me the importance of hard work and taking risks. I knew as a camper I wanted to be on staff, and I worked hard to achieve that dream. That determination helped encourage me to push through grad school and things that can be hard to get the desired outcomes. I also learned that it's okay to take risks. You might not be great at everything (I was not great at being on stage and doing skits) and that is okay! But camp taught me that taking appropriate risks can be rewarding, like climbing to the top of the alpine tower or moving to a new place to take a job. Being true to myself, as well as taking risks helped me become the person I am today, and I owe so much of that to Camp Kanata and the people and experiences that shaped me.
Is there a person or a situation that had a huge influence on you while you were at Camp? How and why did they/it impact you?
All of my counselors that I had growing up were, and still are my role models. I knew that I could look to them as someone I could trust and go to. One experience that had a big influence on me was being day camp coordinator in 2021. That was the first time where I felt like I was truly in a position where parents were trusting me with their children in every way. That experience taught me a huge sense of responsibility in safety, programming, and teaching children every day while also having fun. That experience showed me that I could be a successful teacher and that it was something that I wanted to pursue even on the tough days. That summer wasn’t the easiest by any means, but it taught me some of the best lessons that I have ever learned. I will take those memories and lessons with me forever.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It sounds cliche, but I would just tell younger Lauren to trust the process, and everything will work out. I got into college, I worked at camp, I got the job of my dreams, and worrying about the twists and turns in the road was not necessary. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
What is one skill you learned at camp that helps you professionally?
Communication! It’s so important at camp to communicate with your cos and with your cabin while your at camp especially when you are there multiple weeks. Communication is equally as important in the workplace and outside of camp. I talk to parents and colleagues and other education or health care professionals as work everyday so knowing how to communicate effectively and appropriately has been really beneficial to my job as an educator. I thank Camp Kanata for fostering this skill while I was at camp all those years.
Favorite Camp meal: Circle pizza or chicken sandwiches!
Devotion you best remember from Camp:
As a camper, Erin Morrissette’s devotion about her dad. As a trainee, glowsticks. As a counselor, personal letters.
Do you have a hidden talent? Human Jump Rope
What three words best describe you? Funny, adventurous, rational
What profession other than your own would you like to try? Interior Designer or Professional Skier (in my next life haha)
