SEP Interns: Dustin Fleetwood and Katie Soldan

Instead of a teacher of the day, we'll be profiling some recent but crucial additions to the staff: SEP interns Dustin Fleetwood and Katie Soldan! 

Both Dustin and Katie have extensive experience with SEP. Dustin began his SEP journey as a camper way back in 1999. He was a 5-8 counselor from 2005-2007 before working as head counselor for both 5-8 and 9-11. Katie was a camper back in 7th grade. In the past three years, she worked as a counselor, a super floater, and as head counselor. 

Where did you go to school?

Katie: I'm in a five year program at UVA in the Curry School of Education, which allows me to get both my bachelor's and master's in five years! I have my bachelor's in History and Art History and I'm getting my master's in teaching, Elementary Education. 

Dustin: Just graduated from UVA this past May.

What about SEP made you keep coming back?

Dustin: As a counselor, I was initially looking for something that would let me stay in Charlottesville for the summer. After my first year, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in education. There are so many components that revolve around education in this camp setting. There's always such a great sense of community among the staff, and seeing so many of the same kids come back, and eventually become counselors themselves, is really heart-warming. 

Katie: As a counselor, I loved working with my peers and all the kids. The residential side is so much fun and SEP was the highlight of my college summers. I'm still great friends with many of my fellow counselors and I love seeing the same kids come back year after year because they love SEP just as much as I do. As an intern this year, I get to see the academic side of camp, which is awesome! 

What does your job entail?

Katie: This is the second summer of the intern program at UVA, which means that [Academic Coordinaor] Matthew [Reames], [Camp Director] Julie [Baird], Dustin and I have taken lots of time defining the position, since it is so new! As interns, we observe classrooms, go on class field trips, help in the office and do whatever is needed to make sure the academic side of SEP runs smoothly. We also have set our own academic goals for our observations, since Dustin and I both want to be teachers. 

Dustin: We are essentially the super-floaters of the academic end of camp. Substitute teaching, accompanying groups on field trips, technical support for the classrooms, making sure everyone is caffeinated. Katie and I also developed individual intern observation goals. I wanted to look at the difference between teachers who have been through a preparatory program/are currently classroom teachers vs. those who may have less experience, but are content experts (i.e. Masters and PhD students).

What's your favorite part of working here?

Dustin: We kind of get the best of both worlds. Being able to float around and visit in various classrooms, you see a lot of great content, various modes of presentation, classroom management styles, etc. Lots of tips and tricks to borrow for my own classroom in the future. And unlike the residential side (being a counselor), we get to go home every night.

Katie: I just love the kids at SEP. Seeing them in class is very rewarding because they are so passionate about learning and they are so smart!! I also love playing with them at break time because that's when I can really get to know them and hang out. 

Do you have any favorite memories from being a counselor? From being a camper?

Katie: I don't remember much from when I was a camper, but I have so many favorite memories from being a counselor and HC. The weekends were always my favorite because there is so much fun stuff going on - Saturday day adventures, the big party!!, then field day, picnic and the camp movie. Kids love all the free time and counselors get a chance to hang out with their kids more. 

Dustin: Having a summer birthday can be a bummer sometimes (especially through grade school), but it was really fantastic every year to have hundreds of kids sing to you and get random presents and cards throughout the day. 

What's something about you someone might not expect if they didn't know you well?

Dustin: I'm really into karaoke, and I think I'm pretty good! One of my favorites to sing is "You Got It" by Roy Orbison.

Katie: I really don't like ketchup. I used to dislike all condiments, but now I've been more open to trying them...except for ketchup.

When you first started working here what's something that surprised you?

Katie: During my first summer at SEP, I was really surprised that I became SO close with my fellow counselors. Our time together didn't end when the kids went to bed every night -- we stayed up late, playing games, watching movies and just hanging out. It does make everyone really tired the next morning, but it was always worth it. As an intern, I was also surprised how close I became to everyone who works in the office, like Matthew, [Social-Emotional Coordinator] Emily [Bess] and [STAB Coordinator] Annalissa [Brodersen]. I always have fun with them and the office has become a little home for all of us.

Dustin: As a counselor, surprised at how much you can get done on so little sleep. As an intern, surprised at how quickly the day moves, and pleasantly surprised at how good the food is at St. Anne's. 

What do you think is the most difficult part of the job?

Dustin: Sometimes when you are observing in a classroom, you might see something that a teacher is doing that isn't really your style. It may be effective, but you have to remember that they are the ones running their class, and you have to be supportive and respectful.

Katie: Keeping myself busy! When there are not field trips or specific tasks for me to do, it's my chance to focus on my own observation goals, which requires some self-motivation. Sometimes I can get lazy, but I always try to be constantly busy and helpful!

What do you think is the most rewarding part of the job?

Katie: Seeing the kids on the last day of classes with all their final projects is always very rewarding. All the teachers do a great job and when I ask the kids what they learned at SEP, they always have so much to say. They are excited to learn and that is always awesome to see. 

Dustin: Having made it halfway through the summer, there haven't been any major shake-ups. Everyone has been calm and collected, and things are rolling smoothly. Not that there are usually a lot of kinks, but just with numbers, things seem to be especially streamlined this year. Being part of the team that helps bring that to fruition has felt terrific. 

What do you know about gifted education?

Dustin: Nothing in the way of specialization or degree. Most of it is from my own experiences as a young student and what I've gleaned from observations at SEP. Like most curriculum and content for students, there's just a larger emphasis on differentiation, as well as ramping up and making sure that students have enough to chew on. 

Katie: I was in a gifted program in my school division, from elementary to middle school. Both my parents are teachers so I have always placed a high value on education in general. Working at SEP these past four summers has definitely expanded my knowledge of gifted education and help me understand how important it is for gifted children to not be overloaded with busy work, but given challenging, exciting work that expands their knowledge. 

Do you plan on going into education after this summer?

Katie: Yep!! I'll be doing my student teaching in Charlottesville this fall, in a first grade class at Venable Elementary. 

Dustin: I just finished my Masters of Teaching for Elementary Education degree, so I am applying for jobs around Charlottesville and the county. Let me know if anyone is hiring!