Sea Squirts

30 years science K-12 20 years field science (sea turtle biology) 30 years of curriculum development STEM Project-based learning Tutor Homeschool instruction

Hands-on Project-based learning

Education Western Ct. State University Danbury, Ct. M.A, Biological and Environmental Sciences May 2009 B.A. Biological and Environmental Sciences May 1989 Experience The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk June 1989 – March 1991 Aquarist and Marine Educator Care for and maintain marine mammals and other aquatic exhibits. Present public and classroom demonstrations educating the public with approved Institutional information. Execute routine husbandry procedures to maintain federal, state and institutional guidelines. Keep proper records. Participate in the planning and training of assigned species. Monitor the operation of life support systems. Participate in the development of husbandry techniques and practices. Work with other staff to fulfill area and facility programming needs. Sea Squirts March 1991 - present Owner and Marine Educator Develop and teach group hands-on programs focusing on the diversity and ecology of Long Island Sound for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. Operated and maintained saltwater aquarium systems. Develop and teach various programs on topics in marine biology and environmental science/school and afterschool programs Develop and teach remote ocean science themed and environmental science coursework New Canaan Country School August 2001 - June 2002 Middle and Upper School Science Teacher Oversee the curriculum and instruction (7-9). Actively Support and promote the school’s mission and core values. Coordinate and implement at the classroom level appropriate student assessments. Integrate the use of technology to enhance student learning. New Canaan Country School June 2002 - June 2006 Lower School Science Teacher Oversee the curriculum and instruction (1-4). Actively Support and promote the school’s mission and core values. Coordinate and implement at the classroom level appropriate student assessments Integrate the use of technology to enhance student learning. Wooster School June 2006 - 2014 Lower School Science Specialist (K - 5) June 2014 - 2016 Science Department Head (K - 12) June 2014 - 2019 Middle School Science / Upper School Science and Field Studies Responsibilities include the creation/maintenance of a vibrant, 21st-century science program that makes year-round use of our campus actively engaging students in life, earth, and physical sciences. Manage a fully equipped science lab and a broad range of habitats, including woodlands, ponds, streams, trails, and vernal pools provide endless opportunities for rich outdoor "field experiences" for our students. Actively support and promote the school’s mission and core values. Coordinate and implement at the classroom level appropriate student assessments Integrate the use of technology to enhance student learning. Develop and manage school field studies programs for middle and upper school students (grades 6-12) providing marine biology-based hands-on science field opportunities. (Sea Turtle Ecology in SW Florida, Coral Reef Ecology Florida Keys, Tropical Marine Ecology/ Microplastics Study Bermuda). 2019 - 2020 school year Upper School Science Adjunct for coursework in Research and Experimental Design Coursework taught both in person and remotely MS and US Tutor Encouraged and guided learners to fully develop and fulfill their academic potential growth through active, interdisciplinary, and project-based learning. As an online facilitator helped students to plan, organize, and carry out academic responsibilities via a virtual learning environment . Educational Innovations June 2020 - present Freelance Science Curriculum Developer Design and create hands-on STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school students. Research Experience June 2019 - present Surf City, North Carolina Topsail Sea Turtle Patrol Each Hatching Patrol team is responsible for the zone they are assigned to. Volunteers walk their zone and watch for activity around the turtle nests. Hatched nests are marked and recorded. The patrol surveys the beach every morning to ensure the nests in a specific zone have not been compromised by the elements or predators. As the time gets closer for the eggs to hatch, the patrol looks for signs of emergence. After waiting three days after the first emergence, the patrol examines and catalogs the nest contents. May 2006 – May 2019 Casey Key, Florida MOTE Marine Laboratory Sea Turtle Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Satellite Tagging Program Primary Investigators: Dr. Tony Tucker / Kristen Mazzarella Sea turtles migrate long distances from feeding grounds back to the beaches where they were born. By attaching satellite transmitters to follow the turtles' migratory journeys, potential threats to these animals are better evaluated and sea turtle life history is better understood. May 2007- May 2019 Casey Key, Florida Wooster Field Studies Program Upper School students (9-12) are given the opportunity to travel to Casey Key, Florida for five days to learn about loggerhead sea turtle life history and conservation issues. They will satellite tag loggerhead sea turtles and come face to face with these amazing animals in collaboration with scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. The students contribute to ongoing research about sea turtle health and migration while engaged in real-time science. August 2008 Jalisco, Mexico Project Migration Researchers and educators representing seven institutions from Mexico and the United States met to discuss and define primary objectives for the first phase of Project Migration. We agreed that everyone was primarily concerned with sea turtle conservation making our first priority to understand what the post-nesting behavior patterns along the Jalisco Coast were for the Olive Ridley, including GPS position, sea surface temperature, dive depth, and duration submerged. Satellites were attached to 5 nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles in La Gloria (Longitude: 1050. 4232 Latitude: 190.8991). Educators had an opportunity to meet and begin brainstorming on how information gained by this program could be transferred to their respective students. Publications Lener, Christine; Pinou, Theodora. “Learning with Loggerheads.” Science and Children, v45 n1 p24-28 Sep 2007. http://www.seaturtle.org/documents/NSTA_learningcenter_article.pdf Are Epibiont Communities Found On Loggerhead Sea Turtles Reflective of Their Migration Patterns Recorded by Satellite Telemetry Data?” In progress.

I am an innovative and accomplished biologist with a strong background in environmental science, project-based learning, and learner-centric environments. I have served as teaching faculty in the independent school community for almost 20 years in addition to teaching 10 years in an informal education setting. A few of my highlights and accomplishments include facilitating a consistent, predictable learning environment where students are motivated and driven by their own successes and accomplishments. I have experience developing curricula, preparing and executing behavior plans, evaluating student progress and building relationships with parents to update them on student performance and development. Furthermore, I have earned a reputation in my previous position as an engaged and committed contributor to the overall school community, leading STEM focused field experiences in marine biology in Florida and Bermuda, and coordinating all-school programs and initiatives to foster a cohesive and enthusiastic student body.