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! 

Katelyn Piwowar - Tides Sd Head Teacher

Hi, my name is Katelyn Piwowar, and I'm thrilled to join the Tides team as the Marine Biology Head Teacher for San Diego!

Growing up in the Midwest with a passion for marine life was a struggle, but I spent countless hours at zoos and aquariums, learning everything I could about the subject. This passion eventually led me to the Puget Sound area in Washington, where I earned my degree in Marine and Coastal Sciences. This also allowed me to truly fall in love with tide pooling. There, I was thankful to also have the opportunity to perform biological oceanography research on plankton and trophic interactions in kelp forest ecosystems. My pursuits in marine sciences finally landed me here in San Diego with the hopes of continuing my education and experience in an environment absolutely designed for this industry.

I'm incredibly excited to share my love for our coasts and oceans with the Tides students and am looking forward to the semesters ahead!

Amanda Swiderski - Tides Sd Assistant Teacher

Hi! I’m Amanda Swiderski. I grew up in the desert of California but was always obsessed with the ocean. I went to CSU Channel Islands for biology and got my masters also in Biology through Miami University. I have research background in species abundance in rocky intertidal zones, sea lion rescue and rehab, and fisheries management. I spent a few years working and volunteering at various aquariums and zoos. My go to hobbies include snorkeling, tide pooling, crocheting, and spending time with my pup. My favorite animal is an octopus, which I love to see when snorkeling! I especially love looking for nudibranch and small critters in the tide pools. My husband and I compete in a game of search and find to see who can find the most unique critters.

I’m so excited to get involved with the Tides team and share my passion with younger generations and learn from them as well.

Elisabeth Rosssbach - Tides PV Assistant Teacher

Hello there! I’m Elisabeth Rossbach, and I’m an assistant teacher with Lanterns Global. As a recent graduate of UC San Diego with a degree in Marine Biology, I love hanging out at the beach. I’ve got several years of experience working with kids as a sailing instructor and I’m excited that I get the chance to keep the fun going here! In my free time, I like to write, oil paint, and scuba dive! Can’t wait to help inspire a love of the ocean in our next generation.  

Emma Auerbach - Tides Malibu Head Teacher

BIO COMING SOON!

Ramona (Emilie) Becker- Tides Malibu Assistant Teacher

Hi there!  I’m Emilie, a certified mermaid, and I have a degree in marine science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. I’ve studied whale migrations and even been part of the sea turtle rescue team. I love to stay active and connected to the water, whether it’s scuba diving, playing water polo, or cliff jumping with friends. I’ve been a science teacher and wildlife educator for many years, and I absolutely love the outdoors. I’m passionate about inspiring curiosity in science and nature to students of all ages. 

Daria Mattly - Tides Monterey + SC Head Teacher

I am the head teacher for the Santa Cruz and Monterey Tide classes. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in History and International Politics. My studies sparked an interest in conservation, which led to my passion for marine biology and shaped my career.

I have developed a profound understanding of marine ecosystems through my experience providing educational tours for families and schools as a kayak guide in Alaska, Santa Cruz, and Point Reyes. My aim is to inspire curiosity and foster a sense of stewardship in every student, encouraging them to appreciate and protect our marine environments.

Ava Bentley - Tides Santa Cruz Assistant Teacher

Bio coming soon!

Sofia Sharon - Tides Marin Head Teacher

Hey guys! My name is Sofia, and I am a lover of the Salish Sea and the California Coast. I am a Bay Area native and studied marine biology at the University of Washington. I have spent a considerable amount of time on the San Juan Islands in Washington, conducting research and workshops focused on marine science. 

I am a huge Radiohead fan, love to surf, and enjoy walks in search of a sweet treat. I am constantly looking for new connections and a great laugh. I find so much joy communicating with others and teaching younger generations of the importance of our oceans. I find that learning through experiences and hands-on approaches are most beneficial for myself and I hope to apply this to my own teaching. 

It is refreshing to see such engagement and care from younger generations towards our oceans. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this community to help create a safe place for younger minds to explore their interests about the sea!

Madalyn Gordon - Tides Marin Assistant Teacher

My name is Mady, and I am a lover of all things coastal! I am lucky enough to have lived in the Bay Area my whole life; I grew up in Marin County and earned a biology degree from University of California, Berkeley. At Cal, I was a member of the sailing team, which races competitively with varsity teams in California, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii. I have spent my last four summers as a sailboat captain in the British Virgin Islands, teaching kids sailing, marine biology, and life skills. Through this experience, I developed a passion and interest in outdoor education, and for inspiring the younger generation to engage with the world around them through our oceans. I also have spent time studying and working at the Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay, which has continued to draw me closer to oceanography and marine biology. 

I like to spend my time tidepooling, hiking, bird-watching, and finding new places to swim all around California. My Spodify-Wrapped age was 72 years old, and my number one artist was The Beatles, which hasn't changed for the past 4 years! I enjoy being active and learning, which is what draws me to the TIDES team and its students. I can't wait to get started and start this learning journey together! 

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!