Anne Spruill
My route to Odyssey was long and windy, but I am so glad that this is where I ended up. I grew up in Virginia, and went to college at Washington and Lee University there, graduating with a degree in Biology. After college I decided to teach Outdoor Education and moved to Wisconsin to work at Camp Manito-wish in the Northwoods. My first summer at camp I worked on the ropes course and was thrown into the role of backpacking trip leader. I was completely hooked.I spent the next six years leading trips and teaching leadership in experential and outdoor settings in Wisconsin, Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, and Canada. Because outdoor education jobs are typically seasonal, I used my “off” seasons to explore other interests and try out other jobs. I worked as an office manager, as a research assistant in a heart failure clinic and even as a sandwich maker at a deli. I was also fortunate enough to visit Africa and South America during some of my time off. Unfortunately I wanted longer relationships with kids in a setting which would allow me to use my experience in the outdoors.
When I discovered the Teacher Training Program at RMSEL, it sounded like the perfect place for me. I got my teaching certificate through this program and worked at RMSEL for two years before moving to Odyssey. This is my seventh year here and my second year on the board.
