Alumnae Spotlight-Newman Deaton

I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama and now live in Alexandria, Virginia where I am a 6th grade teacher! I started going to Camp Skyline because my mom and grandmother went there. Funny enough, I did not want to go back the next year until my mom got my counselor to confirm that it was ok that I was afraid of horses, and would not have to sign up for it if I came back the next summer. I will forever be grateful to my Driftwood counselor because I continued on to be a camper for 9 years and a counselor for 6!

What makes Skyline special to you?

Camp Skyline holds a special place in my heart, mainly due to the friends I made there! To this day some of my very best friends are the wonderful people I met at camp. I have been in and to their weddings, held their babies, traveled together, met up while passing through their town just to catch up…the list goes on and on! My freshman year roommates in college were camp friends as well as my “family” in my sorority. When I moved to Washington DC 10 years ago, I met people that were friends of my friends at camp and we remain close friends today. Fun fact: when I was on my flight back to DC after Christmas, I ended up sitting next to a girl who had a CSR age out ring on and that lead to a great conversation about how great camp is. There is something that just can’t be beat about those camp connections and friendships!

What is your favorite camp memory?

There are so many I could list, but my favorite memory is all the nights spent at camp fires, as both a camper and counselor. I had some of the most meaningful conversations there and the songs we sang stick with me to this day. It’s where I got to listen to counselors I looked up to so much share their life experiences and where I heard first hand accounts of how incredible life is with Jesus. When I became a Head Counselor of Riverside, those campfires forced me to step out of my comfort zone and share my experiences as well. The campfires brought about a sense of comfort and peace, a safe space of warmth and most importantly community.

What life skills did you learn at camp?

When I was a camper (and even into my counselor years) I learned the value of friendships, what it looked like to love and follow the Lord, and how important it is to be true to yourself! Being a counselor taught me patience, self-confidence, acceptance, responsibility, flexibility, how to communicate well and be a good leader, and how important team work is. I also learned that positivity is extremely contagious, and that life isn’t perfect so mistakes are bound to happen and that is often when we grow the most. There is no doubt in my mind that the 15 years I was a camper and counselor at Skyline impacted my life and especially my career.

How has Skyline’s mission statement, “Enriching young girls in God, relationships and self”, impacted your life?

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but being a counselor at Skyline solidified that. So many of the skills I learned and used as a counselor I have carried over to my own classroom. From teaching my students my favorite camp games, to using the wonderful Bob Ditter strategies, to handling behaviors and helping build confidence, to enriching my students in their relationships and themselves, I have Camp Skyline to thank for that.

As a Skyline Hero, what advice do you give college students interested in your field?

Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, and also one of the most challenging. My number one piece of advice I give anyone wanting to become a teacher is to remember to take care of YOURSELF! One of most important roles as an educator is simply being there for your students. While academics are obviously important, their social and emotional learning has to be at the forefront. The greatest gift you can give your students is to let them know that they are cared for, loved, important, seen and heard, and that they matter.