Where Are They Now?
By Mary Quinn
Here on the blog, we’ve talked before about how much we love our small-town community in the Keys, and our own MarineLab family as well. No matter if you are a returning chaperone that we get to see year after year, part of our well-missed staff alumni, or a past student who comes back to visit, you’re one of us from the moment you step onto our campus. And as much as we love the Keys and our MarineLab tribe, there is one thing that makes them both even better: when they become connected! If you have ever gotten involved with Ocean Studies Charter School here in Key Largo, you have probably met Martha Loizeaux, the head of their marine science department. Whether you have helped them with the incredible research that their students participate in or competed in their marine debris derby, you have most likely been lucky enough to see Martha in action as she inspires young scientists and cultivates a new generation of ocean lovers and environmental stewards. What you might not know is that she actually started at MarineLab as an instructor in 2006, and is best friends with our own Senior Vice President Sarah Egner! Read on to hear about Martha’s experience as a MarineLab staff member, and what she is up to now.
Martha and Sarah met in college and became best friends when they started working together at MarineLab!
When did you work at MarineLab and what was your role?
I worked at MarineLab from 2006-2012 and my role started as an Instructor, then moved to Assistant Director, Operations then to part-time helping with the scheduling.
What was your favorite MarineLab class/lab/field trip to lead and why?
I loved the coral reef trips and trips to Nest Key. I loved all the water time we had on the reef trips and how excited everyone was to be out. I loved Nest Key even though back then we didn’t do much academic stuff and just explored the island and had mud fights. Note from MarineLab: mud fights were not encouraged by staff, but the students sometimes took matters (and mud) into their own hands!
Where do you live now and what do you do? How did you end up there?
I still live in good ole’ Key Largo and I run the Marine Science program at Ocean Studies Charter School. I ended up here because I was looking for a school for my son when he was 2 years old and when I went to check out the school, I learned they hadn’t opened yet so I asked if I could work there. I love taking my students to MarineLab now!
Martha still takes her students to visit MarineLab
Did your time at MarineLab influence your current career? If so, how?
My time at MarineLab absolutely influenced my current career. I built the entire program at my school from the background knowledge about the Keys that I gained from working at MarineLab. I will carry that knowledge with me forever. Teaching the same thing 100 times helps it sink into your head and your heart!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at MarineLab?
One April Fool’s day my best friend and colleague, Sarah, hid in the dry box to scare me. I checked out the entire boat before realizing she was in there.
Ocean Studies students have a first class advocate for the marine world and environment as their teacher!
Tell us about yourself- What are you passionate about these days?
I am married with two sons, Marco Manolo (14 at KLS) and Luca (10 at OSCS). I have a cute old Chowgi (Chow and Corgi mix) named Rusty. I love to do yoga and travel. I spend my days planning things for school, working on getting my Master’s degree online, attending my kids’ sporting events, and getting out on the water when I can. I spend some of the year conducting trips with students and I love that too!
Anything else you want MarineLab blog readers to know?
I’m working on a project with my students to identify an area of Largo Sound (MarineLab’s headquarters) as a potential lemon shark nursery site using aerial photography. This will be an ongoing project through the next few years!