People

My name is Megan Dettle, I'm at Preschool Lead Teacher at Nature School at Camp Albemarle.  I will start my fourth year as a lead teacher this fall, 2026. I teach two class of mixed ages ranging 3-5 years of age. We are an all weather outdoor preschool located on the sound in Newport, NC. Our outdoor classroom, 25 acres, and the sound provide an amazing backdrop to learn and explore. 

Jeff first discovered the joy of teaching as a camp counselor, where he saw how curiosity, play, and meaningful relationships help children grow in confidence and connection. That experience inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a career devoted to creating learning communities where children and families can thrive. During graduate school, Jeff was deeply influenced by Dr. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and the idea that every person learns differently. It shaped his approach to teaching, encouraging him to ask questions, observe, and adapt his methods to honor each learner’s unique strengths and ways of understanding the world. His graduate thesis focused on developing an intergenerational learning and care center grounded in the belief that people of all ages flourish when they learn alongside one another, exchanging wisdom, stories, and experiences across generations.

My name is Geneva or Neva for short. I have five years working with children who have experienced domestic violence as a volunteer with Safe Alliance. My passion is watching them learn resiliency through interactions with each other and the world around them. My goal is to teach children life skills gained from learning how to use the environment around them. 

Amy Neblett is a life long educator and has always had a love for nature.  Amy moved from Austin, Minnesota (the hometown of SPAM) to Galveston Island to attend Texas A&M at Galveston and earned a BS in Marine Biology.  Upon graduation, she moved to Singapore where she worked with the Singapore Environment Council writing nature curriculum and leading tours of the rainforest preserve.

Amy began her classroom teaching in Pearland and then in Galveston at Ball High and Trinity Episcopal School.  She taught 6^th -12^th grade sciences for 20 years.  In 2023, Amy made the leap from Artist Boat volunteer to Operations Director over the education programing and Coastal Heritage Preserve.

Amy enjoys birding, hiking, snorkeling and fishing near our island and around the world with her husband and daughter.  She encourages you to go outside and observe your surroundings today. You may just see a new bird for your life list!

Emilia Perez is a former Civil Engineer turned Environmental Education Researcher. She cares deeply about equity and tranforming education systems to work better for all. 

I am the founder and lead educator of NC Nature School, a nonprofit outdoor learning community in North Carolina. As a certified herbalist and environmental educator, I am passionate about helping people cultivate lifelong relationships with nature through immersive, place-based learning. I am a descendant of the Southern Sierra Miwok and Mono Lake Paiute peoples, and my work is guided by the values of stewardship, reciprocity, curiosity, and belonging. I believe every child deserves a childhood rooted in nature, wonder, and connection.