1. What is your educational background, and how did you come to teach sixth grade at Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School?
I graduated from Le Moyne College with my undergraduate master’s degree in education in 2009. I continued my education by receiving a second master’s degree in education leadership from Syracuse University in 2017 and a Certificate of Advanced Study in instructional design from Syracuse University in 2023. In 2011, I started working as a long-term substitute for fourth grade at Jamesville-Dewitt and became a full-time teacher the following year, teaching fifth grade at Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School (JDMS). I currently teach sixth grade here at JDMS.
2. How did you get into organizing the multi-sports camp for the town of Dewitt?
I designed the novel idea of the June and August sports camps in the town of Dewitt through the lens of a child and parent. First, I asked my students what ideal camp they’d like to attend. Many play multiple sports, which led me to the idea of a multi-sports camp. It allows the child to get a ‘little bit of everything’ as far as trying new sports, while enhancing their skills at ‘their sport’ as well. The camp is unique because it offers something for any child who wants to be active in the summer.
Additionally, as a parent of two young kids, I understand the angst of finding high-quality, fun, and engaging opportunities for kids in the summer. I looked at what weeks are void of having activities or camps in the summer. Our sports camp is the week before Dewitt’s main day camp and two weeks following its main camp. This helps the parents close the gap from the last day of school in June to the beginning of September. We have a great partnership with the Town of Dewitt to work together in that respect.
3. Can you tell us about the sports camp and what it entails?
Our June and August sports camps run the last week of June (June 27 through July 3) and two weeks in mid-August (Aug. 12–16 and Aug. 19–23). For parent flexibility with working hours, there is a rolling early drop-off from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and a rolling late pick-up from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids are put in the same grade cohorts and rotate between all main sports (basketball, flag football, baseball/softball, lacrosse, and soccer), where a certified teacher runs each station along with a high school staff member. Each station is differentiated based on the age and skill level of the camper. Anyone can participate in kindergarten through seventh grade. We also bring in Syracuse University athletes to meet and greet the campers, so they get to hear from local college athletes. It creates a connection directly to our local team.
4. What skills and benefits does the summer sports camp instill in the children?
The theme of every week is sportsmanship. The camp creates memories that they’ll remember forever. For example, we do a camp-wide knockout tournament. The winner from each grade comes to me months later at school and talks about how much fun it was. We also teach the skill of understanding that you win some games and lose some games, and that’s OK. Throughout the week, there are competitions at every station where kids learn teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. These are lifelong skills the kids take away each summer.
As a parent, sometimes I take a step back, look out at the field, and think about how much I’d love to send my own kids here (they are still one year away, age-wise!). The structure and organization, along with a teacher at every station, make me know all the kids are in the best of hands. I’m very proud that all three weeks sold out so quickly this year with such a high return rate. This shows the efficacy of the program. When a parent drops their child off for the day, they can have confidence that their child will get the best experience. That is what I’m most proud of about our camp.
Know an educator who deserves a mention? Email courtneyk@familytimescny.com.
