Co-Founders
Academic Director & Curriculum Lead Patrice Thompson, M.B.A. & M.Ed.
Patrice is a globally minded educator and curriculum leader with over a decade of experience in international schools. Having taught in the United States, South Korea, Germany, Morocco, and China, she brings a deep understanding of how creativity, language, and culture shape learning around the world.
With experience teaching across subjects — including English, language arts, and music — Patrice helps students discover confidence through creativity and connection. Her publications explore how language inclusion strengthens student belonging and global citizenship. She has also developed a strong track record of identifying, recruiting, and mentoring exceptional teachers who share her commitment to creativity, connection, and innovative, student-centered learning.
She speaks six languages (English, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Darija, and French) and believes that language is not just a skill, but a superpower that sparks imagination and understanding. At Level Up, Patrice brings her love of learning and adventure to every project, helping campers grow in creativity, confidence, and English — all through the joy of learning by doing.
Director of Operations & Strategy Caitlin McCarthy, M.Sc.
Caitlin is a globally minded management professional with deep roots in international education. A third-culture kid herself, she grew up attending international schools and has since lived and worked in the United States, Jordan, India, the Netherlands, China, and Korea.
With extensive experience in school operations, partnerships, and parent engagement, Caitlin brings a unique perspective on what makes learning communities thrive. She has worked closely with international schools across China to set up sustainable, efficient systems and develop high-performing teams. Additionally, Caitlin has led large teams to navigate complex operations and rigorous inspections to open new schools, create policies from scratch, and keep schools safe and compliant.
Inspired by her own childhood camp memories in the U.S., Caitlin co-founded Level Up to help children build confidence and creativity through hands-on, joyful learning experiences. She speaks English, Mandarin, and Dutch — and loves watching kids discover the power of language to connect cultures and inspire curiosity.