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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

Carolyn Sutton’s childhood was immersed with books, enjoying new experiences through play and planning fun things.

“My mom was anti anything to do with a screen so that often meant my younger brothers and I were outside, or I had my head in a book,” said Sutton. “To this day, I still have some significant pop culture gaps because technology was not embraced in our home.”

When Sutton went to elementary school, she spent part of her time at Redeemer and then onto Summit School.

“During my early elementary years, I remember my mom signing us up for art camps, we would walk over to Reynolda Gardens, and she really found all the cool activities in our community to be part of our educational experience. In middle school, she started Salem Montessori School in Winston-Salem (which just celebrated its 25th birthday) and I remember being so proud,” said Sutton.

As education was important both in and out of the classroom to Sutton, she also learned she preferred smaller class sizes. Initially trying a public high school when she finished at Summit School, she realized that Calvary Day School was a better fit.

“That experience also helped with my realizing that in college, a smaller school would also be better for me. Both my mom and dad went to Furman University. I toured when I was just a sophomore in high school just to see what a college education and experience would be like. We went during homecoming weekend, and I don’t think my parents expected me to be excited to attend there so quickly. Something just clicked when I was on campus,” said Sutton. 

When Sutton headed to Furman, she took full advantage of their study abroad program.

“Growing up taking lots of fun trips all over the United States, I was eager to try international adventures too,” said Sutton, who went to both France and New Zealand. “I ended up double majoring in French and English. I had received the advice that you should major in what you love, and I had always felt that literature was really important. It has doors and mirrors where we can see ourselves and the experience of others. And having experienced the French culture just made me love it even more.”

Sutton also completed a teaching certificate that allowed her to share those passions with students after she graduated.

“I began teaching after graduating in South Carolina. I also got married to my husband, Cameron who I met at Furman who was two years ahead of me. He was in medical school, so we stayed in South Carolina while I taught English in ninth grade, and he finished his schooling. Once he matched at Wake Forest, we were able to head back to my hometown,” said Sutton. 

Sutton decided to earn a master of arts in Wake Forest University’s Counseling Graduate Program.

“I was simultaneously teaching high school English at the time at Forsyth Country Day School for ninth and 12th grades. I knew that I wanted to have a counseling and human services background, and this two-year program would allow me to do that too,” said Sutton.

When the day school initiated some internal changes, Sutton saw the perfect opportunity to move into a new role.

“I taught English for two years, and then when we had some structural changes at FCDS, and l was intrigued by the opening for assistant director for student life. It was similar to the role of dean of students which operated over student clubs, some student discipline and being a support person for students. I loved working with how closely I got to work with students in the classroom,” said Sutton. 

“Loving my new role so much made it tough when my husband had to do a year of residency in Pittsburgh. I was fortunate though that the school and staff supported me so much to find a way to make it work. I felt encouraged to continue to develop my leadership skills. I knew that I couldn’t stay in the current role that I was in if I wasn’t going to be there full time. That is when I transitioned into admissions. Initially I was the assistant director and had the opportunity to work with Jan DiBlasio which was fantastic. She had so much knowledge and wisdom. It also allowed me to learn about all the great things that were happening on campus that I could share with prospective families,” said Sutton.

With both Cameron and Carolyn thriving in their fields, they decided to expand their roles as parents too.

“We welcomed our daughter Julia 18 months ago. And when I came back from maternity leave, I became the director of admissions when Jan retired. I told Nathan Battle that he had truly given me my dream job,” said Sutton. “And in an environment that is understanding and supportive of being a new mom and wanting to do the very best I can in my role at FCDS too.” 

Of course, Julia got her passport at just 2 months old.

“I am hoping to pass along to her the love of trying new things and experiences. I want to share with her the joy of talking with the locals, understanding new cultures and embracing everything around her. In our family, our motto has always been that we hurry up to have fun. We try and fit in the most fun things absolutely possible,” said Sutton. 

Even though Sutton and her family members all have busy lives and different schedules they still try and make time for new experiences.

“We still prioritize each other and making those memories. Our next upcoming trip is to Costa Rica. Everyone in the family had pitched a destination and this one won after my younger brother and his wife shared with us how great it was when they went on their honeymoon. I’ve already started looking forward to meeting interesting people and seeing new things and enjoying it with the people in my life that matter most,” said Sutton.