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! 

destiny otero - Tides Sd Head Teacher

Hello! My name is Destiny, and I am the head teacher at Tides San Diego! I am a Southern California native who loves all things outdoors, especially snorkeling, swimming, hiking, and paddle boarding! I have earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Systems from UC San Diego, where I was able to spend countless hours putting my passion for wildlife and nature to work right here on the San Diego Coast at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

I have been immersed in the education field all of my life, as I grew up with two educators in my household, and I know being a teacher is one of the most rewarding things in the world. I have worked with children in multiple settings, such as being an aide in an elementary school, being a children’s sports coach, and being a STEM tutor. I love kiddos of all ages, and watching them grow both in and outside of the classroom is the best!

I am elated to put my two greatest passions in life together (teaching and marine biology) here at Tides! When children learn outside, they’re not just listening or reading; they’re exploring and experiencing. I aim to spark curiosity and creativity while instilling a love for learning and nature within our class!

Outside the classroom, I enjoy baking, watching sports games, going to yoga classes, traveling, watching movies, and hanging out with my cat, Aurora. I am excited for the school year to come and to learn and grow with you!

Britney Wethington - Tides Sd Assistant 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! 

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!