MADISON LAWRENCE - TIDES MANAGER

Hi! I’m Madison Lawrence - a SCUBA MSDT instructor, teacher and new mom of twin girls! I’ve traveled extensively for both exploration and diving, I’ve worked with a team to disentangle whales, spent many hours in a lab researching plankton and most recently teaching others to scuba dive! Encouraging others to be involved with the ocean in any capacity is my dream. As a past head teacher of San Diego with Tides turned to a co-manager of Lanterns Global, I am thrilled to continue sharing my passion with our communities! 

Britney Wethington - Tides Sd Head Teacher

Hi, my name is Britney! I am from Illinois, but got my bachelors of science in Marine Biology with a Chemistry minor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. I have spent my time during college volunteering at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center where I got to gain knowledge and experience hands-on with sea turtles native to the east coast. I have also been on a trip to Costa Rica with my fellow volunteers where I got to work with a team there on Leatherback Sea Turtles and releasing their young. I have been so grateful to have the opportunities to expand my knowledge and to be able to help out with the conservation of marine wildlife. When I am not learning about marine life, I am often sucked into a book. I love to read anything fiction, but most of the time fantasy has my heart. I also love to be in nature, watch sunsets, and to listen to music, either pop, rock, or even instrumental.

I also have a passion for teaching kids. I have worked at after school and child care centers prior to college where I got to provide children ranging from 3 months to 14 years old necessary care and activities to help build their cognitive skills. My favorite thing when working with children is the absolute joy they get from learning about new topics. I hope that with Tides, I am able to provide children with wildlife knowledge I have gained from my education and work experience while being able to make it enjoyable for them and to help expand their creative minds about the ocean! 

Sara McCarthy - Tides Sd Assistant Teacher

Hi, I’m Sara! I love exploring the ocean and have a passion for studying the creatures who call it home. I have wanted to be a marine biologist since elementary school- I read all the shark books I could get my hands on! After high school, I earned my bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Studies from Western Michigan University. I started my career in wildlife rehabilitation in North Carolina and later accepted a job in water quality monitoring for the State. I drove a boat along the East coast and used high-tech gear to monitor the health of the environment. I loved seeing dolphins, sea turtles, alligators, and sometimes even sharks! I later accepted a job as a wildlife biologist for the Dept. of Natural Resources at the Marine Resources and Research Institute. I worked in a coastal marsh collecting samples for environmental research and continued stewardship of the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve- a network of 30 protected estuaries across the US (one is located here in Imperial Beach!) I’m now in San Diego to pursue my master’s in deep-sea biology and become familiar with the West coast.

My favorite sea animal is a giant red deep-sea tubeworm because they’re strong enough to survive the most extreme temperatures in the sea! I enjoy spending my time in nature exploring local tidepools and hiking with my husband and dog. I’m so excited to work with Tides to help inspire joy and curiosity for the ocean! 

Sierra Helmann - Tides Monterey Head Teacher

I am thrilled to be a Teacher of Monterey Tides. I have a bachelors in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Cornell University and a Masters degree in Biological Oceanography from Moss Landing Marine Labs. I have developed educational materials for the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Sea Grant for a Floating Classroom. I have worked as a Museum Education Coordinator and led field trips and summer camps for grades K-5 at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I have volunteered with the Ocean Connections elementary school programs and currently lead behind the scenes tours. I am certified as an Interpretive Guide (National Association of Interpretation) and a California Naturalist and Climate Steward (UC Davis). I enjoy spending time in nature, whether that is hiking in Big Sur, snorkeling with harbor seals, or tidepooling amongst sea urchins and sea stars. I am excited to continue to inspire ocean stewardship through this role as a Teacher with the Monterey Tides Program.

Emma Auerbach - Tides Malibu Head Teacher

BIO COMING SOON!

Gabriela Marcial - Tides Malibu Teacher

Hola! My name is Gabriela (Gaby) and I am so excited to join the Tides team as Assistant Teacher in Malibu! I earned my bachelors degree in Environmental Systems: Ecology from UC San Diego and minored in
Climate Change Studies at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. I have conducted various types of research from parasites in queen honeybees, at-sea phytoplankton research in the Gulf of Mexico, intertidal work in the Pacific Northwest, to sea turtle conservation work in Costa Rica, my passion for science has always been a profound aspect of who I am! My love for the ocean stemmed from watching nature documentaries and watching the Little Mermaid multiple times, and since then, I've taken every chance I can get to be more engaged in marine science and learning how to be a better educator and
communicator.

Growing up in East Los Angeles, access to the beach remained a big barrier for me, and my goal moving on in my professional career is to make marine science more accessible for the public and various communities, and to foster a creative hands-on learning environment so
that science can be shared with everyone. When I am not working you may find me snorkeling in the kelp forests of San Diego, acrylic painting, scrapbooking, or reading. I am eager to share, learn, and create with the rest of the team!

Isadora Alne - Tides Monterey&SC Head Teacher

My name is Isadora, I’m an Outdoor Science Teacher, Ecologist, backpacker, and gardener!

I got my degrees in Ecology and Community Psychology from UCSC, which is also where I gained a love for the ocean and its unique marine life. I’m thrilled to be Head Teacher for Santa Cruz and Monterey Tides; teaching science the way it should be taught — through exploration and experiences! There is no better example of ecology than watching the waves bring to life pools of biodiversity in the rocks, seeing anemone open and close with the tide, and marveling at whale spouts in the distance. By actively participating in the cycles of nature children gain an awareness of the world around them and their impact in it.

When I’m not Outdoor Educating you can find me volunteering at my local preserves or homesteading. My newest project has been cooking from foraged material. My favorite recipe so far is sourdough with flour made from Curly Dock. Try it!

Ava Bentley - Tides Santa Cruz Assistant Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Ava Bentley, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Tides program in Santa Cruz. I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Living and studying near the coast deepened my love for the ocean and the diverse ecosystems it supports. I’m grateful to share this appreciation with the students I teach.

Previously, I worked in ecological restoration, where I gained hands-on experience in site management and environmental monitoring. I'm passionate about protecting natural spaces and excited to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. Santa Cruz is such a special place with so many opportunities to learn about the marine ecosystems that surround us.

Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, eating good food, and listening to music. My hobbies include hiking, tide pooling, reading, and anything that allows me to be creative! 

Jena Ornelas - Tides Laguna co-Head Teacher

Hello, my name is Jena, and I am a Tides instructor at Laguna! I've always had a passion for the ocean and am excited to share my passion with others. I recently moved to Orange County from San Diego, where I spent countless hours enjoying the beaches, snorkeling, tide pooling, and exploring the coast. I studied Environmental Systems at UC San Diego and was a student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. For the past four years, I have worked in children’s environmental education and have loved inspiring young learners to explore and connect with the natural world. Outside of teaching, I enjoy birding, sewing, and spending time in the sun and sand.

Madison Mellow - Tides Laguna co-head Teacher

Hi there! My name is Madison Mello, and I’m very excited to be joining the Tides program. I grew up in Huntington Beach, California, where spending as much time as possible in the ocean sparked my lifelong passion for marine life. I earned my degree in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a focus on marine ecology. I have worked in environmental and marine education for several years and am passionate about helping students understand the ocean and our role in protecting it. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new places, reading, painting, and spending time with my family and friends. I can’t wait to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with my students. See you all soon!

Sasha Urban - Tides Hawaii Head Teacher

Hi! I’m Sasha Urban - I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Hawaii. Originally from Novato, California, I moved to Hawaii for school and stayed because I fell in love with the island. My journey has been diverse, including working as an art teacher and volunteering with Hawaiian Marine Animal Rescue and Response, where I also conducted a research project on marine animal behavior. I have a deep love for marine mammals and invertebrates, and a passion for art, particularly drawing and painting. I also have a background in competitive swimming and lifeguarding. In my free time, you can often find me diving and snorkeling, exploring the vibrant underwater world of Hawaii. My dream is to combine my love for marine biology and art to foster a deeper appreciation for our oceans. I am excited to continue sharing my passion and knowledge with our students!

Maya Pompel - Tides Hawaii Assistant Teacher

Aloha! My name is Maya Pompel and I am a graduate of Hawai’i Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawai’i. With a degree in Oceanography, I love spending time in and around the ocean and can’t wait to spread that love to other people. With previous experience in coral research and snorkel surveys, I am now able to expand to teaching! I love snorkelling and shelling, and ridge hikes on the green mountains of Hawai’i. I am most passionate about environmental conservation and coral reefs, and a life goal of mine is to share that with other people and inspire them to take action. I’m thrilled to join this team and contribute to experiential learning environments for children!