Meet the SCMEA Board!
PRESIDENT | MORGAN TREON
Morgan is currently the Marine Education Specialist with S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Prior to moving to South Carolina, Morgan earned her B.A. in Earth Science and M.A.T. in Secondary Education from James Madison University in Virginia. While Morgan’s educational background is in geology, she grew up exploring and appreciating the Chesapeake Bay in her hometown of Virginia Beach. Since moving to Charleston, Morgan has worked as the Lead Education Aide with Charleston County Parks and earned her South Carolina Master Naturalist Certification. From birding to kayaking, Morgan loves to be outdoors learning and educating about the Lowcountry’s ecosystems. |
PRESIDENT ELECT | ANNIE BOYD
Annie was raised in Ohio and came to South Carolina to attend Coastal Carolina University in 2015. She obtained a Bachelors in Marine Science and Biology while working as a marine science educator and a tank diver at Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. During her college career, she developed a passion for environmental conservation education and outreach, and followed that passion through working with rehabilitated sea lions with Squalus Inc., caring for manatees undergoing rehabilitation at Zoo Tampa, and as a naturalist at a variety of organizations within Beaufort, SC. Currently, she works for the Lowcountry Montessori School as a naturalist providing environmental education. She is a part of the Green Drinks Beaufort Chapter Steering Committee, the Lowcountry Master Naturalist Education Committee and is an active Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network volunteer. When she isn't waist deep in environmental education, she is engrossed in a book, her hands are covered in clay on a potter's wheel, she's forest bathing on a hike with her dog, or she is out exploring the marsh on a boat with a cast net and binoculars in hand. |
PAST RESIDENT | STEVE MORTON, PhD
Steve received his B.S and M.S. from Florida Institute of Technology in Biological Oceanography and his Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University. He is currently a Research Oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Reference Branch. Steve is the Principal Investigator of the NOAA Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN), a citizen science program whose volunteers represent public and private schools, colleges and universities, Native American tribes, state and national parks, aquariums, civic groups, shellfish growers and other non-governmental organizations. During his career, he has authored over 140 peer reviewed manuscripts, serves on the editorial boards of four international journals, and serves as a technical expert for the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science Arctic Task Force. Steve recently co-edited “Harmful Algal Blooms: A Compendium Desk Reference” published by Wiley-Blackwell press. Dr. Morton has been awarded the NOAA Administrator’s Award in 2016, the United States Department of Commence Bronze Award in Research in 2007, 2008 and 2015 and the United States Vice President’s Hammer Award in 2000. |
TREASURER | SARAH CLARKE
Hi! My name is Sarah Clarke. I’m a Western North Carolina native who grew up surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. I am a graduate of Elon University, where I received my B.S. in Environmental and Ecological Sciences and had the opportunity to explore my interest in environmental education and research. In the summer of 2024, I moved to the Lowcountry and accepted a position with Friends of Coastal South Carolina as their Education Programs Coordinator. My work allows me to educate, excite, and expose students of all ages to the coastal ecosystems of South Carolina. I am so grateful to join the SCMEA board and look forward to sharing my passion for coastal education with its members. |
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MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY | TANIA GRAETZ-PEDERSEN, PhD
Tania, a retired chiropractor and current K-12 educator, is passionate about marine science and environmental conservation. With a wealth of experience in health and wellness, Tania transitioned from chiropractic care to teaching, where she now shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for Anatomy & Physiology and Marine Science with students at Dorman High School. Growing up along the beautiful Jersey shore, Tania developed a deep love for the ocean, spending countless hours shelling, swimming, scuba diving, and walking the sands. This early connection to the sea ignited a lifelong passion for marine conservation, particularly in the areas of sea turtle protection and plastic pollution solutions. Residing in Upstate South Carolina, Tania continues to advocate for environmental stewardship, inspiring students to appreciate and protect marine ecosystems. Although far from the beach, her heart remains anchored in the coastal waters, where the rhythms of nature and the call for conservation resonate deeply. 
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS CHAIR | JENNIFER BROWN, PhD
Originally hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Jennifer Brown has been teaching Biology at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) since 2013. She has her B.S. in Biology from the College of Mount Saint Joseph, and her M.S and Ph.D. in Botany from Miami University. She struggled to choose between plants and marine science for graduate school, but plants eventually won. However, the opportunity to teach at GSSM brought her to Hartsville, SC, and closer to the ocean. She rediscovered her passion and has turned it into a teaching opportunity by developing a new Marine Biology course for her school. At GSSM, Jennifer currently teaches AP Biology and three above-AP advanced elective courses: Botany, Marine Biology, and Molecular Biology of the Cell. In the classroom, Jennifer strives to make her classes memorable through hands-on learning and real-world connections. In March, 2023, Jennifer was recognized as the 2023 Teacher of the Year for Excellence in Secondary School Math or Scientific Inquiry by the South Carolina Academy of Science (SCAS). Beyond the classroom, Jennifer works to mentor her students through a variety of groups and seeks new ways to give back to her school and local community. In her free time, Jennifer loves spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and racing in half marathons. 
SEASCRIPTS EDITOR | CALLIE CORNETT
Callie Cornett is originally from Peebles, Ohio. She attended Morehead State University and received her B.S. in Animal Science. Callie moved to Charleston in 2020 and currently works at the South Carolina Aquarium as an interpreter in the education department. Her favorite part of her job is creating programs for people of all ages. When she isn’t working, Callie enjoys arts and crafts, birdwatching, and spending time with her cats. 
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE | MOLLY MYER
Molly graduated from Boston University with a degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for twenty-nine years. Currently she is teaching Science (fourth through eighth grade) and STREAM (K4-eighth grade) at Saint John Catholic School in North Charleston. Molly loves living in Charleston and providing environmental activities to her students. She is so thankful to be a part of SCMEA and learning all that she can to help her students and other teachers. Current SCMEA Officers and Board Members
President: Morgan Treon South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Past President: Steve Morton, PhD NOAA President Elect: Annie Boyd Lowcountry Montessori School Treasurer: Sarah Clarke Friends of Coastal South Carolina Membership Secretary: Tania Graetz-Pedersen, PhD Spartanburg County School District 6 NMEA Chapter Rep: Jaime Thom South Carolina Aquarium SeaScripts Editor: Callie Cornett South Carolina Aquarium Media Secretary: Levi Wagner Student, University of South Carolina Seasonal Educator, South Carolina Aquarium Scholarships/Awards: Jennifer Brown, PhD South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Secretary: Jessie Eichman South Carolina Aquarium Board Member At Large: Molly Myer Saint John Catholic School |
MEDIA SECRETARY | LEVI WAGNER
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Levi has always had an admiration for the natural world. It wasn't until his junior year of high school when he interned with the South Carolina Aquarium that he discovered his passion for coastal conservation and environmental education. This internship led him on the path to pursue his degree in Environmental Studies at the University of South Carolina, and he will graduate in the fall of 2025. Throughout his collegiate career, Levi has returned to the South Carolina Aquarium as an environmental educator, interned with the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, served as a Peer Leader on campus, conducted research on zooplankton population dynamics and jellyfish life history, led education and outreach efforts for Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences, and more! Levi is minoring in Mass Communications, and he is very interested in science communication efforts, hence his role as Media Secretary! He looks forward to increasing SCMEA's media presence and spreading the word about all of the awesome work being done by SCMEA and its members. 
SECRETARY | JESSIE EICHMAN
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Jessie has always had a strong connection to South Carolina’s wildlife and ecosystems. While completing her B.A. in Biology from the College of Charleston, she gained hands-on experience in the environmental education field with Charleston County Parks and Recreation and through various roles with the South Carolina Aquarium. During undergrad, she discovered her passion for marine invertebrates and now loves to highlight the importance of even the smallest and simplest animals. Jessie has now transitioned to SCA full-time as an Education Interpreter III. One of her favorite parts of her job is the diversity of experiences and backgrounds the people she meets bring with them. In her free time, you can find Jessie beachcombing, birding, drawing, or spending time with her family and black cat, Beans. Jessie also volunteers at the Center for Birds of Prey! 
NMEA CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVE | JAIME THOM
Jaime is the School Programs Manager at the South Carolina Aquarium. She is passionate about sharing her love of nature and conservation with students all over South Carolina. She also enjoys working with teachers during professional developments. The ocean has always been a calling of hers from the time she was a little girl from Indiana exploring the beach on family vacations. Now she gets to share that love with her daughter and the visitors at the South Carolina Aquarium. Her 14 years experience in the informal education field is only the beginning! 
List of Past Presidents:
2024 Steve Morton 2023 Heidi Champion 2022 Courtney Gerstenmaier Felton 2021 Kelsey Murdaugh 2020 Hannah Giddens 2019 Marni Friedman 2018 Kendyll Collins 2017 Lindsay Patterson 2016 Rachel Davis 2015 Meika Samuel 2014 Blaik Keppler 2013 Beth Thomas 2012 Elizabeth Vernon Bell 2011 Beth Burkett 2010 Scott Meister 2009 Elizabeth Joyner 2008 Sue Morrison 2007 George Sedberry 2005 *Sue Morrison 2004 Elaine McClure 2003 Mark Madden 2002 Colette Dryden 2001 Arla Jessen 2000 Carmelina Livingston 1998 *Rob Young 1997 Sarah Mitchell 1996 Fred James 1995 Leslie Sautter 1994 Julie Cliff 1993 Bruce Lampright 1992 Phil Astwood 1991 Beth Day 1990 Paula Keener-Chavis 1989 Rhett Wilson 1988 Wendy Allen *18 month term because the conference changed from Fall to Spring between 1998 & 2000 and then changed from Spring to Fall between 2005 and 2006. |