About Nature School
September 2016
Our outdoor school launched, born from a dream & a prayer. The school started as The Preschool at Camp Albemarle, offering 2 day & 3 day preschool classes, and an afternoon class for homeschool students.
April 2018
Homeschool classes for older students were added. Our name changed to Nature School at Camp Albemarle to better reflect program offerings.
September 2021
Nature School expanded to offer full day private school classes for grades K-5th.
August 2023
Nature School added a 6th grade class and began pursuing adding a full middle school through 8th by the 2025-2026 school year.
Program Philosophy
- Sharing God’s love through His creation.
- Connecting students to nature to inspire appreciation for the natural world.
- Providing a safe environment to encourage exploration and learning.
- Assisting students in their interactions with each other to promote cooperative learning and encourage problem-solving.
- Developing activities that are focused on the individuality, abilities, and interests of each student.
- Promoting wellness and physical strength through active play.
Our Staff
Katie grew up in central NY but spent many summers visiting her grandparents in New Bern and has called Eastern NC home since 2016. She graduated with high distinction from Liberty University with a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Leadership and has a BA in English from the State University of NY at Albany. Katie is also a certified nature-based teacher through The Association for Nature-Based Education. She has completed professional development through Mindstretchers Academy, Project Learning Tree, Project Wild, Antioch University, and the Center for Resilient Children. She has over a decade’s worth of experience working with children of all ages and developmental abilities in diverse settings. Additionally, Katie is trained in Conscious Discipline and Responsive Classroom. Katie is passionate about expanding nature-based educational opportunities beyond the preschool years. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and camping with her family, reading, good coffee, and baking bread.
Bethany was born and raised in Forsyth County but spent her vacations in Emerald Isle and dreamed of calling the beach home. In 2013 this dream became a reality as she and her husband moved to Carteret County to start a family. Bethany has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing with a minor in Psychology and a teaching certification in Elementary Education from UNCW. After spending a few years in the business world, Bethany followed God’s leading to make a switch to teaching and has taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades as well as been an academic interventionist, until her children were born. Bethany feels blessed to be able to send her boys to a faith-based and nature-centered school and is excited to join the staff after years as a Nature School parent. Outside of work, Bethany and her family are very involved in their church, and they love spending time together as a family. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, boating, paddleboarding, reading, biking and family game nights.
Elizabeth moved to Carteret County in 2017 when she and her husband decided to make their dream of living at the Crystal Coast a reality. Tibby grew up in Charlotte and spent 15 ears of her life in Raleigh after attending NC State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Biology. She also has a BS in Nursing. Tibby has worked as an RN in labor & delivery and post-partum, allergy and asthma, and pediatrics. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids, running, baking and watching her husband and son fish. Tibby fell in love with Nature School after seeing her son thrive in their preschool program. She’s excited to be a part of kids growing and learning in an environment that allows them to be creative and to see God’s creation firsthand.
Preschool Teachers
Jenn was born in Florida but has spent most of her life in Eastern NC. Her true calling is working with children, and she has volunteered and trained with various faith-based organizations and the Boy Scouts of America. Jenn is a certified nature-based teacher through the Association for Nature-Based Education and has completed professional development through Project Learning Tree and Mindstretchers Academy and is certified in Conscious Discipline and Responsive Classroom. Jenn has participated in many conferences and webinars focusing on play-based and environmental learning, trauma-informed teaching, and loose parts play. Jenn is most passionate about facilitating wonder-based play and making enduring connections with children, inspiring them to shine. She is deepening her understanding of the benefits of outdoor learning and is particularly interested in the connection between time spent outdoors and improved mental health. Outside of work, Jenn enjoys spending time with her family - her husband is a certified EMT, she has two sons, and she homeschools her youngest. As a family, they enjoy exploring, camping, geocaching, and spending time together.
Tiffany Taylor
5 Day Preschool Supporting Teacher
Bio coming soon
Megan Dettle
2 & 3 Day Preschool Lead Teacher
Megan grew up in Indiana and attended Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. She received a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Sociology and Theology. The Marine Corps brought her family here 12 years ago and now that her husband has retired, her family has made Cape Carteret their home. Megan has worked in youth ministry, traditional schools, and the Armed Services YMCA. Most recently, she has been a stay-at-home mom to three daughters and a Girl Scout Leader. She has felt God’s call to return to teaching young children. Megan is excited to be a part of the Nature School family and combine her love of God, nature, and children in one amazing place.
Hope Grant
2 & 3 Day Preschool Supporting Teacher
Bio coming soon
Jenn Smith
2 & 3 Day Preschool Lead Teacher
Jenn is a mother of four and a Coast Guard wife which has taken her from the Key West to Northern Maine. Her life is full of adventure and compassion. When these journeys led her back to North Carolina in 2023, she began her time at Nature School. She holds a degree in the field of Therapeutic Recreation as well as a certification as a Behavioral Health Professional. She is also certified in Conscious Discipline and has completed training with Growing Up Wild, enhancing her ability to create nurturing, structured, and nature-connected environments for children. With over 20 years' experience working with children in various settings — homes, therapies, public schools, and private schools - Jenn has found that Nature School is where her heart is. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, being on the water, and spending as much time as possible with her family.
Caroline Collins
2 & 3 Day Preschool Supporting Teacher
Lower School Teachers
Ann-Marie was born and raised in Carteret County. After graduating from West Carteret, she attended NC State earning a degree in Psychology while obtaining her Elementary Education Certification from Meredith College. After returning to Carteret County, she married her high school sweetheart and began her teaching career at Morehead Middle School teaching math. After her oldest daughter was born and Bogue Sound Elementary opened, she transferred to teach first grade and later kindergarten. Three years later, her youngest daughter was born. She is retiring after 20 years from Carteret County Schools to follow God’s direction to teach in a Christian-based setting. She is active in children’s ministry at her church and has taken children’s ministry classes through Campbell University, as well as completed nature-based professional development through ERAFANS. Ann-Marie is also certified in Conscious Discipline. Outside of work and ministry, she loves boating and kayaking here at home and camping in the mountains. She is excited to see where God is leading her in this new chapter of her life.
Sharon has lived in NC all her life feeling the pull of the ocean like a great orbiting moon. The beach is home, the sea spray her oxygen. She graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Relations and went on to receive a Master’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Counseling Education. Her greatest pleasure has come from teaching children. Throughout her college years and beyond she was a camp counselor and assistant director at Camp Don Lee in Arapahoe. Those experiences as a student of nature and then a counselor helped her share a love of the outdoors and all its wonders. Sharon retired once after 4 years teaching special education and then 28 years as an elementary school counselor and found it was not something she was particularly pleased with. The ocean’s waves have thrown her back on shore to return to what she loves – children laughing and learning. Outside of work, Sharon cherishes her time with her husband and grown daughter, traveling, camping and living in this little heaven on earth we call the Crystal Coast.
Becca Walker
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Becca grew up on a horse farm in northern Pennsylvania and traces her love of nature and comfort outside to her childhood. She has a Bachelor's degree in Health Psychology from Mansfield University and graduated with honors and partially completed a Master's in Public Health from the University of Rochester. Becca is trained in Conscious Discipline. After working in training and development in optical retail for a decade, Becca made a career change, pursuing a childhood dream of becoming a teacher. She was Center Director of a large daycare in VA and has done in-home daycare and summer camps for many years. She joined Nature School initially as a supporting teacher and is excited to fulfill her dream of being a Kindergarten teacher. In her free time, Becca loves to spend time with her husband and 2 kids, run, hike, travel, read, and learn - especially about history, geography, and animals. She finds working at Nature School to be very fulfilling as it brings together so many of her interests.
Jessica grew up in Summerville, SC before moving to Greenville, NC. She received her associate's in arts degree from Pitt Community College. Jessica and her husband moved to the Carteret County area in 2010 and had their daughter in 2011. After being a stay-at-home mom, Jessica started working various supporting positions in the prek & k-5 setting. The family has two dogs and a cat. Outside of work, Jessica love Dukes basketball and watching college football! She spends her time reading, going to the beach, paddle boarding, doing yoga, hiking, trying new recipes, creating art, exploring new places, and spending time with my family & pets. Jessica is passionate about our environment, the animals in it, and sharing the wonders it holds! Her favorite subjects are ELA and Science.
Susanne Martin
1st Grade Lead Teacher
Sue moved to Carteret County from Raleigh in July 2022 with her husband, Jim. She has a daughter Nicole who graduated from Appalachian State and her son Scott is studying at UNCW. Sue received her B.A. in Psychology from Drew University in NJ. She completed her master’s in education (counseling) at Xavier University in Ohio. Sue has spent over two decades working in Early Childhood Education as a teacher, director, and service coordinator for children with special needs. Last year, she taught fourth grade at Queens Creek Elementary School in Onslow County. She learned a lot from this experience but felt something was missing that could make the educational experience even more meaningful. When Sue learned about the Nature School, she realized that what was missing was the opportunity for her students to actively move their bodies and to learn from one of God’s greatest gifts - nature. Sue is most often found outside running/walking with her husband or at the barn with her horse during her off time. She is so excited to teach first grade, giving her all, engaging and connecting with her students, and soaking up all the school has to offer.
Heather grew up in a small coastal town in Maine and has lived in 6 different states in the past 21 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and loves math and science. Heather ended up teaching because her personal passion is helping kids become lifelong learners all while having fun, a passion she discovered while volunteering at her son's elementary school. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and now teenage son, as well as her adult stepsons and grandchildren, and her dog, Ace.
Sarah McMorrow
2nd Grade Lead Teacher
Chelsea Thomas
2nd Grade Supporting Teacher
Anna Harris
3rd Grade Lead Teacher
Dennis Bassaragh
3rd Grade Supporting Teacher
Stephanie Wilson
4th Grade Lead Teacher
Stephanie grew up near Columbia, SC but after vacationing here the family decided to make Carteret County their permanent home. She and her husband have a young adult son and a teenage daughter. Stephanie has always wanted to be a teacher and decided to make that leap and work towards that goal. She now holds a BA in Elementary Education and is certified in Conscious Discipline and Responsive Classroom. She has completed professional development through PBS NC Impact Early Childhood Education Summit and Project Aquatic Wild. Stephanie feels children learn best when they are actively engaged and their interests are included in learning. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, being on the boat, in church, or reading a good book. She feels God has placed her at Nature School so she can be a difference-maker in children and is excited to see what the future holds.
Michael has lived in Eastern NC his whole life. He graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Business Management and he is currently serving in the NC Army National Guard. He has worked in the private and public sectors of education for over 7 years and has also been teaching for over 20 years through the Boy Scouts and swimming lessons. Michael is proudly an Eagle Scout. Michael has his initial teaching certification through the Association of Christian Schools International and is certified in Conscious Discipline. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, offshore fishing and bowling. He loves teaching outside where students’ attention spans are increased and more learning can happen than by being in a classroom all day.
Donna Harrington
Middle School Supporting Teacher
Cheyenne was born in the small town of Thomaston, Georgia but she grew up here on the Crystal Coast and considers both places home. She graduated from UNCW with her Bachelor's degree in Education with a focus on K-12 Spanish. She enjoys learning new languages and is fluent in both Spanish and English. Cheyenne was a homeschool student for most of grade school and because of this, she had the opportunity to work with children in a teaching role from a young age. She has a deep love and appreciation for nature, God and teaching. She is so grateful to be able to work in an environment that encourages growth in all three. Cheyenne has completed professional development through ERAFANS and is certified in Conscious Discipline and in Responsive Classroom. In her free time, Cheyenne enjoys hiking and going on adventures with her family, reading, photography, learning the violin and volunteering in her church’s children’s ministry.
Allyson (Ally) Sprinkle
7th Grade Lead Teacher
Growing up in Greenville, SC, Ally loved spending her spare time babysitting, nannying, tutoring, and mentoring in her church and community. Ally is a third generation Clemson University graduate and lifelong fan. Upon earning her BFA from Clemson, she moved to Raleigh, NC and worked in new home sales and design for 12 years. It was there that she met her husband, Skip. They have one son, Edwin, her greatest joy. Their family moved to Carteret County in 2013 for Edwin to begin kindergarten. Since moving here, Ally has enjoyed her many hours volunteering and substitute teaching in the schools, eventually leading her to The Nature School. Ally’s favorite things are spending time with her family (including her two labs Lulabelle and Evie), traveling, and being creative.
Kelly grew up in Wilson, NC and spent her weekends and summers here on the coast. She graduated from East Carolina University with a B.S. in Finance and worked in accounting and finance until she and her husband were blessed with their two amazing girls. They moved to Carteret County for the small-town life and she became a stay-at-home mom and then a homeschool mom. Kelly spends her days with her girls learning, playing with their Boxer puppy, hiking nature trails, gardening, cooking and baking, doing arts and crafts, singing and playing music and enjoying each other’s company. Kelly is also a Girl Scout Troop leader of 19 precious girls and is passionate about teaching them important life skills, how to enjoy and care for nature, to be good citizens and to be courageous and strong. She has a lifelong passion for learning and is currently improving her Spanish, guitar playing and growing her green thumb.
Gina Inman
Morning Care Teacher
Gina was born in Jacksonville, FL in a military family and moved around a lot during her childhood. In 2001 she moved to Carteret County where she graduated from high school and then from Carteret Community College with her Associate of Arts degree. Gina has been a proud homeschooling mom for 13 years. Her favorite subjects are English and History. In her free time, she loves spending quiet evenings with her family and exploring and hiking.
Kelly Coyle
Reading Interventionist
Bio Coming Soon