SEAS Cruise 2007 : People
Carolyn Sheild - SEAS Teacher-At-Sea
- What do you do?
- I teach 7th grade Life Sciences at Clarke Middle School in Lexington MA. I also coach girls and boys cross country - 55 runners!
- What is your role on this cruise?
- I am the SEAS Teacher-at-Sea for this cruise. My main role will be to help answer students' questions by interviewing scientists and crew members. I will also be writing about my experience at sea, helping students understand what life at sea is like and how skills learned in the classroom can be applied at sea.
- What is your education/training?
- I went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and majored in Biology. I then worked at the Wisconsin DNR for two years before going back to school for a masters - Marine Biology from Northeastern University. I studied sea star predation on sponges. I got my teaching degree from Salem State College.
- What inspired you to choose your career & who were your role models?
- My parents have always been very supportive of me. My mom was an elementary school teacher, so growing up I thought that's what I'd be. At the same time, I have always been fascinated with the ocean (loved watching Jacques Cousteau videos!) and thought I'd be an oceanographer. During a SEA Semester program, I met Dr. Susan Humphris (now at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution). She has been my role model/mentor and helped me decide to pursue graduate studies in marine biology. Since I enjoy working with kids, I ultimately chose teaching over research.
- Please describe your family:
- My parents live in Wisconsin where I grew up. My mom is a retired teacher and my dad is a retired minister. I have three older brothers; one is a dentist, one is a school librarian, and the third is an environmental lawyer.
- What are some of your favorite things about life at sea?
- I enjoy being away from it all (phones, bills, traffic, crowds), looking out over the ocean, sunrises and sunsets, seeing the beauty of nature and all its wonders. I also like being a part of a community working together to achieve its goals.
- What do you do in your free time?
- My FAVORITE hobby is flying trapeze(!) although I also like swimming, running, biking, listening to music and photography.
- Any Fun Facts about you?
- I was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, and was a four sport All-American in college. I ran a 4:58 mile!
