Support Educators' Shark Lab Experience in Bimini

A group of excited educators are heading to Bimini, Bahamas to share a once in a lifetime experience! Participants in the Elementary Educators Shark Lab Curriculum Build will take the experiences from Bimini and learn to craft immersive learning experiences in the classroom. Participants represent a range of educators specializing in kindergarten through fifth grade, special education, gifted, ESOL and more. We seek to change the way students interact with curriculum, building lasting experiences with problem solving and deep learning through immersive units. Help support this mission and these educators by contributing to our tuition cost.

Courtney is beginning her 14th year as an elementary educator. She has a passion for igniting curiosity in the classroom, empowering inquiry, and designing curricular units that immerse kids into what will surely be a treasured learning experience. Areas of expertise: K-5 elementary education, advanced math, science, and gifted. Courtney obtained her BA from the University of Georgia, MA in Elementary Education from Piedmont College, and ED.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College.

Katie wore many hats before teaching, including web writing, SEO, and content curation; this time in professional fields outside of the traditional classroom have given her a unique lens through which she is eager to reinvent curriculum. It's her firm belief it is completely possible to craft lessons that are simultaneously fun, highly relevant, and highly rigorous. She holds an MEd in elementary education with an ESOL focus, and is currently pursuing a gifted endorsement.

Dana is shining bright in her 10th year as an elementary educator. Since the first year of teaching, fostering the love of learning has been the lifeline that Dana breaths into her students daily. She emphasizes the belief that school should be a joyful and transformative experience for her students. Fostering a positive, engaging learning environment where students feel valued and inspired is the atmosphere she wants every child to experience. Giving students the opportunity to be creative, curious, unique, and confident are the key components for students to grow both academically and personally in a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Dana holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, along with a Gifted Endorsement, and Middle Grades Social Science certification.

Brandi is a veteran educator with 23 years of experience. Her background in clinical Psychology brings a unique perspective to the field of education. It is her desire to provide all students, regardless of ability, engaging curriculum through which they can excel. She is currently working on her dyslexia endorsement. She has extensive history working with students with academic and behavioral needs.

Cassidy is adventuring into her 4th year as an elementary educator. She taught 5th Grade Language Arts for three years and has recently moved to 3rd Grade. Since her first year of teaching, fostering a love of learning in her students has been her passion and motivator. Cassidy spends much of her time adventuring the great outdoors and brings these real life experiences into the classroom. She believes that learning is the greatest adventure and gift. When students feel welcomed, safe, and loved, their passion for learning and adventuring ignite, and they will excel beyond the walls of the classroom, into their youth and adulthood. Building relationships with her students and community members is one of the many ways Mrs. Kemp thrives. Cassidy is a lifelong learner, who jumps at every opportunity for professional development, and at collaborating with important initiatives at the district level. She holds a ESOL and Reading Endorsement. One day, Cassidy aims to be a Literacy Coach for Forsyth County, and wear the badge of a National Park Ranger in The Great Smoky Mountains NP.

Entering her 27th year in elementary education, Jen's as excited about teaching now as she was her first year! She is passionate about bring learning to life for her students through integrated rigorous content and her many stories. She firmly believes the best way to learn is through experience and by being fully immersed in a topic. She carefully crafts an environment where students are reading, writing, wondering, and exploring every day. She has an insatiable curiosity and love of learning that she hopes to inspire in her students. She strives to empower them to not only be good students, but even greater human beings. She believes in the magical potential of every child and is driven to help them see it in themselves. Her greatest joy is seeing them radiate confidence, compassion, and the courage to do what scares them-- cheers them on all along the way! She hopes to model this for them as well in her own life and with this opportunity.

Jen has a background in Psychology and Biology and began her career teaching science enrichment. She has presented nationally at 2 NSTA conventions and the national 7 Mindsets convention where she presented on SEL through Literacy. She has served on the Math, Science & Social Studies, and ELA curriculum build teams, the K-12 Math Advisory Committee, is an Orton Gillingham classroom educator, holds her Gifted Endorsement, and is currently pursuing her Dyslexia Endorsement.

Debbie is entering her 14th year of teaching. She has been a homeroom teacher in 5th, 4th, and 1st. As well as taught Sped and EIP. Her greatest joy is now teaching Gifted full time. Being able to challenge students while challenging herself has been quite a joy.

Debbie holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, Masters in Education within Reading and ESOL, and a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction.

Michelle is entering her 25th year in education and is excited to bring this experience to her classroom. Teaching math to all grades, Michelle enjoys sharing the connection to math in real life. She believes that problem solving is the key to authentic learning, and she provides as many authentic experiences as she can. Welcoming all level of learners, Michelle meets her students where they are and builds rigor and challenges into each day of lessons. This experience is a once in a lifetime adventure that Michelle is excited to attend.

Michelle holds a BS in elementary education, MEd in elementary education with middle school social sciences, and an EdS in teacher leadership. Michelle also holds her certification in middle school math and k-12 gifted education. She currently completed her Math endorsement and hopes to become an instructional Math coach in the coming years.