2016/17 MAMEA Slate of Nominations: Candidate Profiles

2016/17 MAMEA Slate of Nominations: Candidate Profiles

Lauren Albright
Lauren Albright is the School Programs Coordinator at the National Aquarium. She joined the National Aquarium in 2012 and has been a MAMEA member since 2011. Lauren holds a dual master’s in Park and Resource Management and Environmental Education from Slippery Rock University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University where she majored in Marine Biology and Ocean Science and Coastal Studies. Lauren has worked in the environmental education field for 7 years, both at the National Aquarium and the North Carolina Aquariums (Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores). In her current position she is responsible for working with school groups for both onsite programs at the Aquarium and outreach programs at their schools, teacher workshops, homeschool programs, and is the education intern supervisor. She also served on the NMEA 2014 planning committee as the Exhibits chairperson. In addition to MAMEA, Lauren is also a member of the National Marine Educators Association, the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators and the Association of Nature Center Administrators.

Jackie Takacs
Jackie Takacs grew up the oldest of seven children on Long Island, NY, where she spent absolutely no time at the beach (seriously – who would take seven kids to the beach). It wasn’t until she moved to the Eastern Shore Maryland in her senior year of high school that outdoor time became more about the environment and less about an athletic field. It was also about that time when her father suggested – after watching an MPT special – that she should become a “fish farmer” when she grew up.

As all girls of that age do – she ignored her father and went on to University to pursue a degree in Education. That pursuit went down a different path a few years later after working at a restaurant with aquaculture ponds and summer interning with University Extension faculty. Extension education – specifically in marine sciences and fisheries - became her passion (she thanks her dad). She currently holds a BS in Life Sciences (emphasis Biology) and an MS in Marine, Estuarine and Environmental Sciences from University of Maryland College Park.

Professionally Jackie holds the position she coveted in her application to graduate school – to one day be a faculty member with the University of Maryland Extension – Sea Grant Program. She has held that position now for 20 years and currently holds the title of Watershed Restoration Specialist. In her position, Jackie works in cooperation with other UME Extension agents, regional and departmental specialists, and various local, state and federal agencies in organizing, conducting, and evaluating programs inwatershed management and restoration, watershed and environmental sciences education, and aquaculture within theSouthern Maryland Region, the state of Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Jackie was lured into MAMEA by that smooth talker Adam Frederick – who not only convinced her to join, but to step into the treasurer position. A position she has held for more years than she can remember. As part of MAMEA, Jackie has helped organized two annual conferences and is part of the Chapters’ finance and grants committees. In 2014, she coordinated the finances and registration for the NMEA Annual Conference held in Annapolis, MD. Currently, Jackie also holds the position of NMEA treasurer – a position she would not have accepted if it meant stepping down from MAMEA. The great work of MAMEA with a dedicated and passionate group of colleagues is why she continues (and would like to continue) serving on the MAMEA board as treasurer.

Allie Toomey

Allie Toomey is currently the Program and Digital Coordinator for EarthEcho International in Washington, DC. She works with school districts and community groups across the country to spread a love and passion for our Water Planet through project-based learning and digital and social media-based initiatives. Previously, she worked in field education in the mountains of California and on the coast of the Long Island Sound, and has field research and community outreach experience with the Delaware Shorebird Project in Delaware Bay. Allie holds a B.A. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology with a minor in Education from the Ohio State University. In 2014, Allie had the privilege to work with the NMEA14 planning committee to bring the national conference to her hometown of Annapolis, MD. Growing up splitting time between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Allie has had a life-long passion for the environment and education and is excited to have found a community of like-minded folks at MAMEA.

Rachel Riesbeck
Rachel Riesbeck, School Programs Specialist, Virginia Aquarium.
I’ve been working as a marine science educator at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center since 2008. Teaching school-aged children is my main focus, but I also work with teachers, volunteers and other informal science educators. One of my favorite experiences is working with educators all over the country on best practices for engaging people about climate change solutions. MAMEA has played a vital role in my development as an educator and helped me to gain new knowledge, collaborate with others to develop new ideas and have wonderful learning experiences. I would like to provide that same support to other marine educators by representing Virginia in the Mid-Atlantic chapter.

Kristen Sharpe
Kristen Sharpe is a Marine Education Specialist at the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR), located at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point. She holds a B.S. in Biological Applications of Environmental Studies from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. During her two years at CBNERR, Kristen has led field experiences, classroom visits, and informal education events for K-12, undergraduate, homeschool, and general public audiences. She also helps to develop educational materials and activities, and to implement professional development workshops for teachers and informal educators. Kristen has been a MAMEA member since October 2014, and was honored to be awarded the Informal Educator Mini-Grant at the 2015 MAMEA Annual Conference in Wilmington. She is also a member of the National Marine Educators Association, and is currently serving as Vice President of the Three Rivers Environmental Educators workgroup.Kristen has always had a passion for promoting conservation and stewardship, and believes that education is one of the greatest avenues to inspire a change in peoples’ attitudes and values regarding the natural environment!

Note: This year, there are no elections for the following positions:
Secretary
State Representatives for MD and NC.