February featured student mentor—Jenna LoDico
Our National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) monthly mentor for February is Jenna LoDico, Director of Marine Studies at the Canterbury School of Florida. Jenna has worked in the field of environmental education for over 14 years. In her role as Director of Marine Studies, Jenna works with students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and focuses on creating opportunities to engage students in marine science and environmental education. The program is designed to enhance the traditional science curriculum and focuses on inquiry-based marine science education aligned with the Ocean Literacy Standards. Students participate in hands-on labs, field trips, and restoration & research projects while collaborating with many local and state institutions. Jenna oversees the program facility, the Cousteau Center for Marine Studies (CCMS), and resources which include touch tanks, a kayak and paddle board fleet, an equipment trailer, a boat, a STEAM garden with hydroponics and aquaponics systems, and the summer sessions including the internship program.
When asked what she loves most about her job Jenna says,
“I love that I am engaged with learners of all ages, and we are always learning new things together. For example, this year we have been building a STEAM garden together. My background is primary in marine science, so there has been quite a learning curve in gardening! However, I love being a partner with my students in learning. We get to problem solve and figure out solutions together.”
Jenna holds a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of South Florida. She decided to attend USF because she had previously worked with her mentor professor there during an undergrad internship. Jenna found she had a very good working relationship with her mentor professor, and he had funding for a good project she was interested in working on. Jenna did apply to other programs, toured and even received some offers with funding, but at the end of the day, she decided it was best to work at USF because of the positive work experience she already had there.
Advice Jenna would give her younger self includes,
“I would encourage you to try to do as many internships as you can to not only establish professional connections, but also to get a sense of the type of work you enjoy and or don’t enjoy! While I loved working in a lab setting, teaching and working with students was always the thing I found most rewarding. Luckily, I had many different internships and job experiences that helped me establish that as a career that worked well with my science background.”
Interested in connecting with Jenna for more information or advice? NMEA Student members are given the opportunity to connect with our student mentors! Email us to find out how to become a student member: students@marine-ed.org.