Alumnae Spotlight-Jean Able Bradley
Jean Able Bradley
Jean Able Bradley, originally from Jasper, AL, lives in Atlanta now (Dunwoody / Sandy Springs area). She was a camper and a counselor totaling 13 or 14 years. “Hard to remember!” she said. What she does remember well is that she was a Trooper-STP!
I had the privilege to spend time with Jean at our First Alumnae City Social. She was a gracious host! Here’s more to know about Jean…
What makes Skyline special to you?
I think camp offers young girls an opportunity to truly be themselves. Like all girls, I struggled with having positive self-esteem at times (who doesn’t…..even now). At camp, everyone is welcome - just as they are.
What is your favorite camp memory?
That’s hard to pinpoint - I think most of my favorite camp memories are related to Sundays, whether it be church in all white or the extended rest hour - all designed to remind us to pause and rest in Him.
What life skills did you learn at camp?
Independence, Confidence / Willingness to try something new, Flexibility, Humbleness to know that I’m not always right (not even close)
How has Skyline’s mission statement, “Enriching young girls in God, relationships and self”, impacted your life?
Plain and simple: Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 “Trust in the LORD with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
As a Skyline Hero, what advise do you give college students interested in your field?
I am an elementary school teacher, more specifically - a Math Interventionist. So specific to Education - experience with children (obviously), experience with parents (though brief on opening and closing day), experience with responding to children in different ways, experience with modeling an activity/scaffolding support for campers (students) to become successful, time management, and the idea that things don’t always work as expected, the importance of a good read aloud book……gosh, I could think of TONS! Really for all careers right now - never stop learning something new. In today’s work environment, I want to constantly keep striving to improve myself, teaching strategies, classroom management ideas, etc……How can I best improve to help my students?!
One final nugget from Jean:
I grew up in a Christian home. I have the most wonderful parents and siblings. However, and my Mama will agree, Camp is the reason that I am a believer today. Seeing the LORD moving each summer at camp was always so clear and vivid. Camp offered opportunities to Trust in the Lord and see His good promises. I’m so very thankful for the 13 (or 14, I can’t remember) years of building that foundation.
