Tessa Anable
Board of Directors
Portland, Maine
she, her, hers
Innovative Program Design & Business Consultant
How do you spend your days? What are your passions? What is your occupation?
I love designing and running innovative kids programs in enrichment education, including experiential classes in art, STEM, activism, and outdoor exploration. I recently transitioned from full time work as Director of Enrichment/Auxiliary programs for a local independent school and am now embarking on the challenge of building my own business, with a focus on "makers" enrichment programs for kids. I am also working on a real estate project.
Explain your connection to the ocean. How does it influence your life?
Always in my life, there have been days/seasons spent by, on, or in the ocean, mostly along the Atlantic coast enjoying a cold rocky shoreline, all weather, all year. Hermit crabs have always been a favorite tidal creature. I run almost daily at the beach, alone, with the changing tides and reflected light. My favorite ocean views are along the coast of Cornwall, England, where my family is from. I am an artist -- charcoal, watercolor, oil painting, collage -- and my earliest memories of painting plein air are at 10 years old, painting with my father on the rocky NE coast, easels perched on rocks so we could paint the wild grey waves of the Atlantic. Later, in Key West, we painted along the canals, watching for fish, wild manatees, occasional sharks. In the past few summers, I have gone out early with a friend on her lobster boat. The beauty and health of the ocean is everything and must be protected.
The mission of Saltwater Classroom is to bring together young students, as well as learners of all ages, through an innovative approach to ocean education. How does this apply to your experience?
When redesigning and innovating new expeditionary learning programs for Waynflete Summer programs, I realized immediately I had found a gem with Lexi and Saltwater Classroom. We collaborated for the past five summers to bring to camp more science, through marine bio and ocean stewardship learning. Saltwater Classroom, with daily field trips to various Maine coastal destinations, was a hit. Campers aged 10-14 loved Lexi and Olivia's hands-on outdoor activities, fun games and being on site in the tidal pools. We eventually added afternoons of art, and avid campers continued filling these camps each year, finishing each week expressing greater confidence around science, inspired and empowered to care, and excited to take an active role in ocean stewardship. It's an effective way for kids to gain a life-long appreciation for our essential and increasingly fragile oceans and a passion for making a difference.
What are your earliest ocean memories?
Paddling in the shallow water and feeling hermit crabs wiggling away from under my feet. Watching the spray from waves hitting the rocks. Whale-watching.
If you had to pick one thing, what is your favorite aspect of the ocean? We know, it's a broad question.
The vastness; changing beaches due to tides; the enduring, unchanging quality (perhaps an illusion).
Is there a dream ocean destination on your list? Where would you travel to next?
Australia and New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, England, Ireland
Anything else to add?