2025 NMEA Award Winners
Celebrating Excellence in Marine and Aquatic Education
Each year, the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and commitment advance the field of marine and aquatic education. The 2025 award recipients exemplify the creativity, collaboration, and passion that drive our community.
Marine Education Award—Individual
Timna Mahaly Varela, Honduras
The 2025 NMEA Marine Education Award for Distinguished Performance in Marine Education was awarded to Timna Mahaly Varela, marine educator and ocean literacy leader in the Bay Islands of Honduras.
Timna Mahaly Varela (L)—2025 Marine Education Award recipient, with President Tara Hicks Johnson (R)
Timna is a trailblazer in marine education and a powerful advocate for ocean literacy across Honduras and beyond. For more than a decade, she has transformed marine education through her work to integrate ocean literacy into national curricula, develop culturally relevant teaching materials, and empower educators and community leaders to embed ocean stewardship in their programs.
Through her leadership in the Latin American Network of Marine Educators (RELATO), the All-Atlantic Blue Schools Network, and the IOC-UNESCO Global Blue Schools Network, Timna has elevated Honduras’s voice on the international stage. Her efforts helped develop the Bay Islands National Marine Park Biennial Environmental Education Plan and the nation’s first structured ocean literacy curriculum.
Her creativity and impact have earned international recognition, including the 2022 Climate Guardian Prize from Fundación MERI and UNICEF LAC and selection as Honduras’s delegate to the UN Ocean Conference Youth & Innovation Forum. Most recently, she shared her work at the 2024 Ocean Literacy Dialogues in Barcelona.
Through her innovative spirit and unwavering dedication, Timna has inspired a generation of young ocean advocates. We are proud to honor her with the 2025 NMEA Marine Education Award.
OUTSTANDING TEACHER
Karycia Mitchell, British Columbia
The 2025 NMEA Outstanding Teacher Award for excellence in classroom-based marine science education was awarded to Karycia Mitchell, an inspiring educator at Belmont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia.
Karycia Mitchell—2025 Outstanding Teacher Award recipient
Karycia has transformed science learning in Victoria through innovative, hands-on marine STEM education. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she engages students in grades 9–12 through a Marine STEM cohort that reimagines Biology and Chemistry courses through a marine science lens.
Her students analyze water quality, track global ocean floats, and engage with conservation organizations to connect classroom learning with real-world action. She highlights local knowledge—from marine biologists like Jackie Hildering to Indigenous knowledge keepers—fostering a deep sense of ocean stewardship.
An active leader in the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) community, Karycia helped organize the 2024 NAME Conference and continues to inspire educators across the region.
For her innovation, leadership, and dedication to student learning, we are proud to celebrate Karycia Mitchell, the 2025 NMEA Outstanding Teacher Award recipient.
Marine Education Award—Outstanding Organization
Seacamp Association, Inc., Florida
The 2025 NMEA Marine Education—Outstanding Organization Award for leadership in marine science education was awarded to Seacamp Association, Inc., an environmental education organization based in Big Pine Key, Florida.
Alicia Melton (L) accepts the 2024 Marine Education—Outstanding Organization Award on behalf of Seacamp Association Inc. Pictured with NMEA President Tara Hicks Johnson (R)
Since 1966, Seacamp has reached more than 300,000 students through immersive, hands-on marine science programs in the unique waters of the Florida Keys. With a mission to raise awareness of our complex and fragile marine world, Seacamp fosters critical thinking and responsible decision-making about our use of natural resources.
Their programs—spanning K–12 school sessions through the Newfound Harbor Marine Institute, summer camps, and day camps—are rooted in experiential learning and discovery. Seacamp’s dedication to access is equally inspiring: they award more than $65,000 in scholarships annually and recently secured a $100,000 NOAA B-WET grant to expand Everglades watershed education for middle school students.
Through innovation, inclusion, and lifelong impact, Seacamp exemplifies the spirit of this award. Congratulations to Seacamp Association, Inc., the 2025 recipient of the NMEA Marine Education—Outstanding Organization Award.
Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award
Jean May-Brett, Louisiana
The 2025 NMEA Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award for outstanding service and dedication to NMEA was awarded to Ms. Jean May-Brett, STEM education leader and environmental literacy advocate from Louisiana.
Jean May-Brett (L)—2025 Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award recipient, with President Tara Hicks Johnson (R)
Named in memory of longtime NMEA Administrative Assistant Johnette Bosarge (1999–2013), this award honors individuals whose service, loyalty, and enthusiasm have significantly advanced NMEA and its chapters.
Jean embodies these values through more than four decades of leadership in education and environmental literacy. As a classroom teacher, STEM coordinator, and state education leader, she has inspired generations of educators and students alike.
Her contributions include award-winning educational series such as Enviro-Tacklebox© and Literacy and Learning©, and leadership roles across multiple professional associations, including SAME, NMEA, and the Louisiana Science Teachers Association. Her national impact extends through work with NOAA’s Science Advisory Board and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Advisory Committee.
Even in retirement, Jean continues to mentor emerging leaders and support environmental education initiatives nationwide. We are deeply honored to present her with the 2025 NMEA Johnette D. Bosarge Memorial Award, recognizing her lifetime of service and lasting legacy.
Youth Leadership in Marine Conservation Award
Demi Johnson, Mississippi
The 2025 NMEA Youth Leadership in Marine Conservation Award for outstanding youth advocacy in marine stewardship was awarded to Demi Johnson, student and founder of Off Bottom Oysters in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Demi Johnson—2025 Youth Leadership in Marine Conservation Award recipient
Demi is an inspiring young environmental advocate whose dedication to oyster conservation has made a significant impact on her local marine ecosystem and beyond. Since seventh grade, she has cultivated more than 1,000 oysters through her farm at Schooner Pier, restoring vital reef habitats that support biodiversity and improve water quality.
Her leadership extends beyond restoration—Demi actively educates her community about sustainable aquaculture and marine stewardship. Her accomplishments have earned recognition from National Geographic’s Slingshot Challenge and the Girl Scout Silver Award, highlighting her growing influence as a young conservation leader.
Looking ahead, Demi plans to pursue a career in environmental law, using her voice to shape policies that protect natural resources. We proudly celebrate her as the 2025 NMEA Youth Leadership in Marine Conservation Award recipient.
Honorary Member Sarah Schoedinger (C) with nominators Diana Payne (L) and Craig Strang (R)
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Sarah Schoedinger, North Carolina
NMEA is proud to bestow Honorary Membership on Sarah Schoedinger, retired Senior Education Program Manager for the NOAA Office of Education in Asheville, North Carolina. This award is the highest recognition that NMEA can offer and recognizes a distinguished career in teaching, research, or service in marine education.
Jackie Lewis (L)—2025 Presidnet’s Award recipient, with President Tara Hicks Johnson (R)
President’s Award
Jackie Lewis, Maryland
The 2025 President’s Award, given by the current President of NMEA Tara Hicks Johnson, based on outstanding contributions to NMEA and/or marine education goes to Jackie Lewis, NMEA Executive Administrator.