With 28 years of teaching experience, Amy has taught numerous science methods, human growth and development, children’s literature and educational technology courses.  She is an Adjunct Instructor for the SC Office of Virtual Education, and the International Reading Association named Amy as SC’s Distinguished Teacher of Reading. As well, Amy was selected as a Richland School District Two Honor Roll Teacher and Bookman Road Elementary’s first Teacher of the Year.  She served as an administrator in Richland School District Two and as a Teacher Specialist for the SC Department of Education and is a Dwight D. Eisenhower Award recipient for her work with professional development in science education. She was a featured author in T.H.E. Journal for her work in customized learning, and she serves on the School Improvement Council at Windsor Elementary and has held leadership positions on the School Improvement Council and PTO Executive Board at Bookman Road Elementary.  Amy is a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to benefit the Environment) certified educator and a NASA MEI Faculty Advisor. She earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and an M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina where she received the Mary J. Heimberger Memorial Scholarship.  

 

This summer Amy’s relationship with Camp Discovery came full circle.  She began a tradition of taking her 4th grade students on environmental field studies during her very first years of teaching, and over the summer, she re-connected with Camp Discovery by assisting in hiring staff, designing curriculum and teaching the STEM Naturally Camp. “I felt energized, enthused and deeply passionate about the work I was able to do with children and families over the summer, and I look forward to spending many years supporting the mission and growth of Camp Discovery as the Executive Director and Director of Programs,” Amy said.

 

Amy’s husband, Casey is also a devoted educator.  Amy and Casey have two children, Lucy and Deon, who love school, swimming, playing in their school orchestras and having outdoor adventures.  The Ellisors are dedicated volunteers at the Jeep Rogers Family YMCA where both children swim competitively year-round.

 

The Camp Discovery Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Rosemary Martin-Jones has been promoted to Administration Manager/Program Facilitator. Rosemary has been with Camp Discovery for nearly four years, beginning as a volunteer.

 

Rosemary’s tenure with Camp Discovery began when she was encouraged by a friend to visit, knowing that she would fall in love with the place. He was correct, and she started volunteering right away. Rosemary began by assisting with programs, caring for the animals, and doing whatever was needed. She saw the potential of Camp Discovery and wanted to be a part of developing that potential. Rosemary then became a paid, part-time employee and later became a program facilitator.

 

Rosemary is a graduate of the Midlands Master Naturalist program and is currently working toward certification as an Environmental Educator through the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. She is a trainer for the South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream citizen science program and participates in numerous environmental education organizations.

 

Prior to coming to Camp Discovery, Rosemary was Laboratory Manager at the American Red Cross in Columbia. She managed multiple departments and was responsible for manufacturing and labeling of all blood products manufactured in the Columbia, SC location. Rosemary fostered a mission-focused, compliance-minded environment in her departments. She also served as a trainer and subject matter expert for her departments, the region and other sites, as well as for hospital blood bank staff.  Rosemary received multiple awards while at the Red Cross, including regional and divisional customer service awards.

 

Rosemary received a BS degree in Microbiology from Clemson University, as well as an AS degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from Midlands Technical College. She has more than 30 years of varied work experience, including her time at Camp Discovery.

 

Rosemary’s husband, Sharn, and her daughter, Alyssa, have also been drawn to the magic that is Camp Discovery. Sharn (a firefighter with the City of Columbia) helps with small projects at Camp Discovery, and Alyssa (a graduate of Clemson and Winthrop Universities) serves as a program facilitator and technical consultant as needed.

 

Rosemary looks forward to working with Amy and the board to help Camp Discovery reach its potential through development of mission-focused programs that bring the community to experience the wonder that is Camp Discovery.