MEET OUR HAPPY CAMPERS BEST FRIENDS!
OUR 2024 SUMMER CAMP STAFF
BRITNEY
Day Camp Program Director
Hi. I’m Britney Wilkerson AKA:“CAMP MOMMY”
I joined Empower Me Center 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 5th year at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp! I love to be outside, hiking and walking my dog. 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 5th summer with Empower Me's Summer Day Camp. 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 fifth year of camp. 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!
PRESLEY
I am Presley. I am very passionate about serving the special needs community! This is my second year at Empower Me Center! I love Summer Day Camp and I love our campers! I teach special education at Oakland High School. I love playing my guitar and listening to music. I’m so excited for this summer!
LILI
My name is Lili, and I am 20 years old. I am going into my junior year at Austin Peay State University where my major is Elementary Education. This is my third year with Empower Me Center, and I couldn’t imagine spending my summer any other way! I can’t wait to meet many new campers and reconnect with everyone! This summer is going to be the BEST summer ever!
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!
LUKE
My name is Luke. I am 18 years old and recently graduated from Friendship Christian School. I will be attending UT Chattanooga in the fall. I enjoy playing guitar and singing country music. I also like fishing and hanging out with my friends. I am a member of College Hills Church of Christ and am active in the youth ministry. I am so excited to be
a part of the Empower Me Center this summer. My goal is to build lasting relationships with our team of counselors and each summer participant.
DESTINI
Hi there! My name is Destini, and I am a 31-year-old boy mom from Mount Juliet, TN. I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Exceptional Education K-12. I just completed my 9th year of teaching at Lebanon High School as a self-contained Special Ed teacher. I’m also on the local Area 27 Special Olympics Board and assist in the planning & facilitating of our local school-based athletic events. It’s hard to believe, but this summer makes my 12th summer with Empower Me Center! I am SO EXCITED! Summer Day Camp will forever be my favorite time of the year & I can't wait to spend it with your kiddo!
ALLIE
My name is Allie. I am 23 years old, and I graduated college from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. During the school year, I work as a registered behavior technician at different schools in Wilson County. I love to read and spend time outdoors. I am a big animal person with three dogs. I am super excited for my first year at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp this summer!
HUNTER
Hello! My name is Hunter, and I am thrilled to be returning to Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp this year! I am an alumnus of Belmont University, where I earned a Master of Sport Administration. Additionally, I completed the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Nashville State, becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L). For the past four years, I have worked as a pediatric COTA/L, gaining invaluable experience and a deep passion for working with children. Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University. Let’s make this summer the best one yet!
ABBY
My name is Abby! I just finished my first year as an education major at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga! I have grown up in Lebanon my whole life and am so excited to be back home to spend my first summer with Empower Me Center!
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!
LEAH
My name is Leah, and I am so excited for my first summer at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp! I grew up going to a summer day camp and am looking forward to providing an individualized experience and promoting relationships! I work in Wilson County Schools during the school year, and when I’m not working, I am usually enjoying hanging out with my dog, lifting weights, or eating a yummy meal. Can’t wait for a great summer with your kiddo!
SARAH
Hi there! My name is Sarah, and I am a Lebanon native. I went to Wilson Central High School and Cumberland University. I am a recent graduate of Belmont University's Occupational Therapy Program. I have been involved in the Empower Me Center in different ways for several years, and I am so excited to experience my first year of Summer Day Camp with all the amazing campers!!
BAILEY
Hey! My name is Bailey. I am 21 years old, and this will be my fourth summer with Empower Me Center. I just graduated from Cumberland University with my Associate’s degree. I will continue with my Bachelor’s in Special Education. I am so excited for Summer Day Camp and meeting all the new beautiful faces. This is going to be a great summer with your kiddos! Go TEAM!
KAYLEE
Hello, my name is Kaylee. I am currently a senior at MTSU. I will graduate in the spring with my special education degree. Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp is my favorite thing in the summer, and there is nowhere else I would rather be! This is my third summer as a camp counselor, and I can’t wait to see all my friends!
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 a 21-year-old senior at Tennessee Tech University. I’m majoring in Special Education! This will be my fourth year at Empower Me Center! I am so excited for another summer of watching your kiddos flourish and grow!
ALEX
My name is Alex. I will be starting my master’s program at Cumberland University in the fall. This is my second summer working at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp. I am so excited to see all the returning friends and meet some new ones as well!
SARAH
Hi y'all, I am Sarah! I love to smile, be outside, play games, and simply have a good time! I believe every person brings their own unique beauty to this world, and each day is an opportunity to learn and grow in grace. I graduated from UTC in 2020 and am in grad school at American University studying public policy and administration. I feel so honored to spend my summer at Empower Me Center and look forward to all the new friends to be made!
HANNAH
Hi, my name is Hannah! I am a junior at the University of Tennessee studying psychology. After graduating, I plan on completing a Master of Occupational Therapy. This is my third summer as a summer day camp counselor, and I am so excited to make lots of new memories and have fun!
KARLEE
Hi! My name is Karlee, and this is my second summer as a camp counselor for Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp. I am currently enrolled at The University of Tennessee Southern studying Special and Elementary Education. At school, I am a member of the Student Government Association and currently serve as Executive Staff Secretary. I am a substitute teacher for both Lebanon Special School District and Giles County Schools. I look forward to the Summer Day Camp each year and cannot wait to see everyone, new and returning!
JAMIE
Hey! My name is Jamie. I am an animal loving, crafty, dancer from Knoxville, TN. I attended Cumberland University, where I received a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. I also received a Master's Degree in Teaching and a Master's Degree in Education from Cumberland University. I am currently a Comprehensive Development Teacher at Castle Heights Elementary. I work with the athletic band for Cumberland University. I am also on the Board for Special Olympics Area 27. This will be my first summer at Empower Me Center's Summer Day Camp, but I have enjoyed going to Shooting Stars, Party on the Property, and Friday Fun Fest. I can't wait to have the best summer ever!
RYAN
My name is Ryan. I am currently 19 years old. I am attending the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, majoring in Human Health Performance in hopes of pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. This is my first summer at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp, so I am very excited to meet new people and learn from these new experiences.
JACK
Hey, I’m Jack! This is my first year at Empower Me Center’s Summer Day Camp. After the summer is over, I’m going to play college football for Trine University! I have lots of experience with special needs children from my peer tutor program with Mount Juliet High School. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone better and having fun with them this summer!