Meet the Staff
The staff of Durango Mountain Camp are hand-picked professionals dedicated to the academic success and personal achievements of each student.
We will continue to monitor her progress and have Durango camp in the back of our minds for the future if needed!” Blessings to you all,
Korrine and Aubrey Winstead
Directors
M.J. Bilgrav, Executive Director
B.A., B.S. Certified: AOGPE, CERI Language Therapist
M.J. Bilgrav is a co-founder and executive director of Durango Mountain Camp and Rocky Mountain Camp. She is certified by the Orton-Gillingham Academy and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. Before moving back to Colorado in 1996, she was the co-founder and co-director of Pacific Quest Outdoor Adventures which specialized in group outdoor adventure education programs in Hawaii and the Pacific. M.J. has been teaching dyslexic students for the past 31 years. She taught English and math at a small private high school that boasted a 60% dyslexic population. She is head of the OG tutoring department at The Liberty School in Durango, CO, a specialized school for children with dyslexia.
Zane Bilgrav
Zane, a dynamic and experienced Director of Outdoor Programs and Language Interventionist, brings over 15 years of passion to creating engaging outdoor education and dyslexia mentorship. Known for being fun, approachable, and fully dedicated to helping dyslexic students thrive, Zane loves every moment of working with his students. With expertise in outdoor programming, risk management, and the Orton-Gillingham methodology, he professionally blends personalized education and leadership with effective character-building.
Tutors
Claudia White
Claudia White has tutored at DMC – and the Liberty School – for the past 10 years. She has come full circle, thanks to her dyslexic son, who attended DMC 22 years ago. She has a degree in English with a minor in German from Fort Lewis College, Durango. She is a self-professed “word nerd” and tutoring dyslexics is her dream job.
Tracy Brothers
With over 30 years of experience in teaching and tutoring, Tracy Brothers is dedicated to helping students unlock their potential. She holds a degree in nutrition from Colorado State University. She has a strong educational background, having homeschooled her dyslexic children before teaching at a private high school in Durango, Colorado. Tracy is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, which she has found life-changing for struggling readers across various ages and abilities. Currently, she tutors at The Liberty School, specializing in education for children with dyslexia. She has tutored at Durango Mountain Camp for many years. Tracy’s passion for education and commitment to student success shine through every session.
Pam Savage, B.A, M.A., A.B.D; Teacher, Language Therapist – Durango, Colorado
Mrs. Pam Savage is an academic tutor with DMC. She’s been with DMC for seven years and is always looking forward to applying and advancing her tutoring skills. Pam currently teaches at The Liberty School in Durango, Colorado working with gifted, dyslexic, and twice exceptional students where she is the gifted program coordinator. She loves to work with children of all ages and find creative ways to meet their needs.
Wendy Kurtz
Wendy is a Language Tutor at The Liberty School. She is an Associate Member of The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. Wendy has trained at the Certified Level level with The Academy. She has a Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in Special Education. Her love is teaching dyslexic students. She also enjoys living in beautiful Durango, Colorado where she runs, bikes, kayaks, and hikes with her beloved dogs, Sage, Bear, and Duke.
Barton Marks
Barton Marks M.Ed is an Orton-Gillingham tutor and special educator in Austin, Texas. He has worked as a tutor for 25 years and can’t imagine doing anything else. He has worked at Durango Mountain Camp for 8 summers. Barton enjoys hiking in the San Juan mountains, leaving the Texas summer heat, and being a part of students’ life-changing experiences at DMC. He also loves putting together the annual camp video for the staff, students, and their families.
Lisa Hurley
Lisa holds a Certificate in Dyslexia from the University of Florida, a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. She co-founded The Learning Alliance in Indian River County, Florida, a non-profit dedicated to bringing Orton-Gillingham teacher training to the Indian River School District. In addition to teaching writing at Durango Mountain Camp, Lisa provides 1:1 Orton-Gillingham tutoring at The Batt School in Juno Beach, FL.
Katie Swartzman
Katie was born and raised in Durango, Colorado. She first worked at Durango Mountain Camp as a study hall proctor. Eventually, she trained to become an Orton-Gillingham tutor. As a tutor at DMC, she loves helping students grow academically within the supportive camp environment and she values the personalized approach that the camp offers. Outside of work, she loves hiking Durango’s scenic trails, paddleboarding the many local lakes and rivers, or simply enjoying some warm sunshine and coffee!
