By Madelyn Pruitt
For her hard work and devotion to her school and students, Dodge County High School faculty and staff says “Félicitations” (congratulations in French) to Wendi Camp for being named Dodge County High School Teacher of the Year.
Camp was raised in Eastman and graduated from DCHS in 2000. She then attended Middle Georgia College and later earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching at Georgia College and State University.
Camp studied abroad at the University of London in 2001, where she received her bachelor’s degree in French. She also studied abroad at the Institute de Touraine in 2005. “The best educational experience at college came from studying abroad. I strongly recommend for everyone that is able to take the opportunity to study a semester in another country during undergraduate studies to do so,” said Camp. “You will learn and appreciate so much more about your own culture, while coming to understand the importance of new cultures and diversity.”
Camp has taught French at DCHS for ten years. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Camp is the French Club advisor. Under her leadership the French Club goes ice skating, goes out to eat in Atlanta, and takes part of many more activities to experience the art and culture of France. “Over the past ten years the French Club persistently grows significantly more every year, and I am ecstatic to see students interest in the French culture and arts grow,” said Camp.
“Madam Camp, as she prefers to be called, is everything you can ask for in a teacher,” said DCHS Spanish teacher Steve Burton. She loves what she does, loves her students, and loves teaching. When you find a person with those three qualities, everything else is simply window dressing.”
“I am honored and humbled because I never realized that other teachers recognized my love for teaching,” said Camp.
DCHS Principal Dr. Susan Long feels strongly about the positive impact that Camp has made at the school as an educator and a leader.
“Mrs. Wendi Camp is a quiet leader who leads by example. She is a dedicated, professional, and the epitome of what the Teacher of the Year status entails, said DCHS Principal Dr. Susan Long. “We are honored to recognize her as the Dodge County High School Teacher of the Year.”
Camp is married to Wade Camp. Together, they have two children: Logan, who is a second grader, and Rylee, who is in Kindergarten.
“My family is most important to me, but my students are also a part of my family, so I enjoy being with them as well,” said Camp.
In her spare time, Camp enjoys traveling around the world. In 2003 and 2004 Camp lived in Dubai where she worked for her father’s company. She has also traveled to Egypt, Germany, Italy, Oman, Switzerland, and Paris. This summer, Camp is taking a group of students to Paris.