Return of the Nagging Camp Lady

Mrs. Kettle, You have always been one of those rare people who changes lives without even realizing how deeply you’ve done it. My admiration for you started long before we ever met. Growing up, I constantly heard Ally talk about his favourite teacher, how brilliant, caring, motivated, and genuinely interesting you were. Ryan loved you as a camp leader too, so your name was legendary in our house long before I really knew why. I’m pretty sure the first time I met you was at a parent-teacher night when I was in grade 6, because Ally wanted my parents and I to meet the person who had such a huge impact on him. Not long after that, I got an email from you with the subject line “Return of the Nagging Camp Lady,” which somehow perfectly captured your energy: passionate, funny, determined, and impossible not to love. You welcomed me into leadership camp before I was even in high school yet, and that experience shaped me more than you probably know. What made you so special wasn’t just teaching science or running camp it was the way you made people believe in themselves. You trusted students with real responsibility, helped people step into leadership, and created spaces where everyone felt capable, included, and important. I honestly don’t think you fully know the impact you had on so many people. You helped shape generations of leaders and caring humans through workshops, camp, conversations, and all the little moments in between. You have absolutely been one of the biggest reasons I became an educator myself. I still try every day to have even half the superpowers you have when it comes to making people feel warm and fuzzy. You have made such a lasting difference in so many lives, including mine, Ally’s, and Ryan’s. I just wanted you to know how deeply appreciated and loved you are. Thinking of you constantly and sending you so much love.