MEET OUR HAPPY CAMPERS BEST FRIENDS!
OUR 2023 SUMMER CAMP STAFF
BRITNEY
Day Camp Program Director
Hi. I’m Britney Wilkerson AKA:“CAMP MOMMY”
I joined Empower Me full time as the Summer Camp Director in August 2015. I
have served many positions with Empower Me such as team counselor, team
leader, and Assistant Day Camp Director since the summer of 2000. I graduated
from Lebanon High School in 1999 and Middle Tennessee State University with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, emphasis in Special Education in
2003. After graduation I began teaching in Lebanon, TN for the Lebanon Special
School District, serving students in both inclusion and comprehensive
development classes. I spent 11 years with LSSD teaching at Byars Dowdy
Elementary and Winfree Bryant Middle School. In 2010, I graduated from
Trevecca Nazarene University with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. When
I’m not working I enjoy traveling, shopping, being outdoors, and spending time
with my husband Wes, daughter Briley, and son Weston. I can’t wait to spend the
summer with your kiddos as we have so much FUN making memories that will
last a lifetime.
KIRSTEN
My name is Kirsten! I am a kindergarten teacher at Sam Houston
Elementary School. This is my 4th year at Empower Me's Summer Day Camp! I am so
excited to be spending this summer with your kiddo!
CLAIRE
Hi, I’m Claire! I love to be outside, hangout with friends and family, and travel.
This is my 4th summer with Empower Me's Summer Day Camp and my second as a team leader! I’ve also had the opportunity to work with the Empower Me Centers Day Dreamers Program in Fall 2021 and Spring 2023 and loved it. This organization is so special to me! I’m so grateful to get to work another summer with the campers and staff and looking forward to a summer of FUN!! :)
LINDSEY
Hello! My name is Lindsey and this is my fourth year of camp and my
second year as yellow team leader. I graduated from MTSU with a degree in
early childhood education. I teach second grade in Rutherford County. I love
crafts, reading, teaching, and Disney songs! I am looking forward to another
wonderful year of camp!
LAURAN
Hello! I’m Lauran. I’ve been involved on and off with Empower
Me since I was a junior in college. I could not imagine my life without the
Empower Me family. I am going into my 11th year teaching Exceptional
Education. I received my degree in Special Education from MTSU with a masters in Instruction and Curriculum. I am about to start online classes from Appalachian State to earn my ED.S degree in Administration. I have moved to Lawrence County I am currently in charge of the paperwork and BIP’s for the Exceptional Educational students. In my free time, I’m typically doing something outside that involves animals. I have 2 dogs, 2 barn cats, 3 horses, and cows.
ARIEL
Hello, My name is Ariel! This is my fourth summer at Empower Me's Summer Day Camp and I am so excited to spend the summer here again! I graduated with my Bachelors degree from Auburn University in 2019 and graduated from NSCC in 2021 with my Occupational Therapy Assistant degree! I’m entering my third year of practice
and will be starting a Masters program for OT in Georgia in the Fall! I have spent the last 15 years working with this population and am so excited to have another
fun and safe summer with your kiddos!
PRESLEY
Hi, my name is Presley Boone, formally known as Presley Cotham. My wonderful Husband Hayden and I got married in August 2022. We enjoy traveling together in our camper and engaging in all activities outdoors. Kayaking is among one of our favorite things to do! This is my 8th year with Empower Me. I absolutely love this organization with all my heart! In 2018 I started working with the Day Dreamers and in 2021 I came on full time as the Adult Program Assistant Director. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to spend another amazing summer with your child and have the BEST time ever!
WHITNEY
Hi my name is Whitney. This is my 11th summer at Empower Me! I’m a
pediatric Occupational Therapist Assistant for Empowering Therapy Services and
have treated students of the Lebanon Special School District for the past 2.5 years. I love working with children and having fun! Looking forward to another great summer.
SAVANNAH
Hi! I’m Savannah and I’m so excited to be part of Empower Me Center! I have
been with Empower Me Center in many different ways since 2018. I joined Empower Me Center full time in January of this year as communication coordinator. I am a
licensed and registered Occupational Therapist. I am CPR, first aid, and suicide
prevention certified. I have been passionate about loving individuals with
disabilities since I was a little girl and I feel this is my purpose in life. I love
spending time with my husband, family, friends, and animals. I am expecting to
add a sweet baby to my family in August; I’m excited for my baby to arrive and
for me to soothe it by singing the songs it heard from circle time all summer.
KATE
Hi my name is Kate Rogers and this is my 3rd year with Empower Me! I am
currently graduating from South College as a Licensed Physical Therapist
Assistant! I love all things about camp but especially the sports, games, and water
play! I cannot wait for another summer of fun!
HUNTER
My name is Hunter and I am an alumni of Belmont University earning a Master of
Sport Administration and Nashville State Occupational Therapy Program earning
my COTA/L. I can’t wait to see all my Empower Me friends and make new
ones this summer! I am currently in school at Belmont University for a Master of
Occupational Therapy and graduate summer of 2024. I recently got married in
November to my amazing wife Alexis!
SAVANNAH
Hello everyone! My name is Savannah. I am 19 years old and going into
my third year of school. I plan to complete a Master’s Degree in Occupational
Therapy. This is my first year of camp, and I couldn’t be any more excited to have
the most fun summer with all the campers!
ABBEYEY
Hi, I am Abbey and I cannot wait to spend this summer with Empower Me Center! This
is my second summer working at Empower Me's Summer Day Camp. I graduated from Wilson Central High School in 2022 and I am majoring in Elementary Special Education at Tennessee Tech. A little bit more about me is that I love a good conversation, laughing so hard I get a bellyache, and doing crafts! Needless to say, I’m ready for the summer and all the joy it will bring the campers and staff!
SYMPHONY
Hello! My name is Symphony! This is my first summer with Empower Me!
I am originally from Illinois, but moved to Nashville to attend Lipscomb University
in 2018. I graduated in 2022 and am currently in graduate school to become a
physical therapist at Belmont University! I am so excited and honored to be a part
of camp this summer. I cannot wait to serve, see the growth in the campers, and
help them have a joy filled, amazing summer!
BRANNAGH
Hi! My name is Brannagh. I am 21 years old and I recently graduated
from MTSU. I am employed as a Special Education Interventionist at an
elementary school in Nashville. I’m looking forward to this summer!
BAILEY
Hey! My name is Bailey I am 20 years old and this will be my third
summer as a team counselor. I just completed my second year at Cumberland
University where my major is special education. I am so excited for camp and
meeting all the new beautiful faces. This is going to be a great summer! Go TEAM!
KAYLEE
Hi, my name is Kaylee. I am currently a student at MTSU. I am pursing a degree in Special Education and will start my student teaching in a year. My love for children and helping others has come from subbing for the local school system and working at a hometown pharmacy. This is my second year as a counselor and I couldn’t be more excited!
KAILEY
Hello, my name is Kailey! I am an upcoming sophomore at Middle
Tennessee State University studying Speech Language Pathology. I am very
excited to interact with the campers for the second summer at Empower Me's Summer Day Camp.
MADI
Hi I’m Madi, I’m 20 and a junior at Tennessee Tech University. I’m majoring in
special education! This will be my third year at Empower Me! I have a leopard
gecko named spot and I love being outdoors!
ALEX
My name is Alex. I am an upcoming senior at Cumberland University. This is
my first year working at the Empower Me’s Summer Day Camp. I am so excited
to meet all the campers and getting to know them!
ALEXIS
Hi My name is Alexis. I am a 22 year old Psychology Student at Beacon
College in Leesburg, Florida. This is my first year at Empower Me's Summer Day Camp! I am so excited and blessed to be here and I am pumped to work with these campers!
HANNAH
My name is Hannah. This is my second summer with Empower Me
Center’s Summer Day Camp and my second year a counselor. I
am so excited to make lots of fun memories with the campers this year!
KARLEE
Hi, I'm Karlee! This is my first summer as a counselor for Empower Me!! I am currently a student at the University of Tennessee Southern studying Special and Elementary
Education. I also play softball for my school. I am so excited to be working for this
incredible organization and can’t wait to get to know your kiddos this summer!
LIBBY
Hey! My name is Libby! I am majoring in Special Education at Austin Peay State
University, and I am going into my second year. Additionally, this will be my
second year at camp, and I have been looking forward to coming back ever since
the last day of camp last year! I cant wait to get to know the campers, and have
the best summer ever!
LILI
My name is Lili! I am an upcoming sophomore at Austin Peay State
University and I am an Elementary Education major. This is my second year at
Empower Me, and I can’t wait for this summer to be the best one yet!!
PRESLEY
Hi I’m Presley! This is my first year at Empower Me and I am thrilled to be
a part of something so wonderful! I have a huge passion for helping people with
disabilities. I just graduated from MTSU with a bachelors in Special Education
this past May. Starting in August I will begin my career as a Special Education
teacher at Oakland High in Murfreesboro! I am so thrilled to begin my life’s work
of helping people with disabilities!