Ups and Downs, Insides and Outs

As I wrap up another school year, Marine CSI's 8th to be exact, I have to reflect on some pretty hard truths. This was the second year where fall has been lighter than spring and winter programs just didn't happen at all. If it were not for a new homeschool co-op partnership, I wouldn't have done any fall programs. Where I used to see that as failure, I now take it in stride as a learned lesson (or two, or three).

I had to ask for financial help from places I did not want to ask, and yet, it was available to me when I needed it. My mother had been out of work for two months with knee surgery and recovery, putting me through a whirlwind of stress over being a caregiver, purchasing a ton of new supplies for fall programs that did not happen, and not having the financial stability to pay the bills to keep the business (and myself) going. I probably succumbed to several panic attacks along the way. Yet each time, she became my rock, helping to remind me that it's okay and the money is there if I needed it.

Under no circumstances would I ever want this to become the natural order of things. I do not want to ever feel like a burden or a debilitated and enabled child. But for this one time, this one season, I had been there for her and she had been there for me. And I'm learning how to manage the ups and downs of those seasonal changes that go with business planning and financial stabilization.

Overall, I educated almost 2000 students this school year, which includes two school-wide programs. North Topsail Elementary School (Pender County) has been my top tier returning school and this year made year five for us. The PTA again came through with funding and we are now one of two which they budget for each year. I am sincerely grateful for the principal, media coordinator, PTA, and staff for their dedication and leadership for this kind of programming. The students remember me, remember the activities we do year after year, and get excited for my return.

A brand new school this year was Roland-Grise Middle School (New Hanover County). The PTSO offered to fund a school-wide program consisting of 9 days of activities, three with each grade, to cover approximately 750 students. After following up with their PTSO president, she informed me that not only was there positive feedback from the teachers, but from the students as well. We'll be back in touch again next year for another school-wide program, for sure!

Some new and returning schools I have reached this year include Dixon Middle School, Dixon Elementary School, Bladenboro Middle School, Silverdale Elementary School, and Cape Fear Academy. There were also some schools I hadn't been to in a while that I got to return to, such as C.F. Pope Elementary School and Blair Elementary School. We spanned four of the six counties we serve and hope to return to Brunswick and Duplin in the near future.

There were a surprising number of schools who just couldn't get their approvals and funding together this year to have Marine CSI come for a program and we will be looking to them and their leadership for best practices going forward. While it seems the students and teachers are very interested in what we have to offer, administration is hard-pressed on funding and time constraints with testing schedules and breaks to get us on the calendar for their students. And what appears to happen is that while one grade may get the funding, there just isn't enough in the pot for multiple grades in one school or even one district.

So this summer I am planning a full-on campaign to meet with and speak to each principal and county superintendent to direct them correctly towards in-school field trip options for their schools. I will also ask to be put in touch with their PTAs and PTSOs for funding options, so these students do not have to worry about having to pay out of pocket for a cost-efficient program. It breaks my heart that there are still some schools who do not allow students to participate based on their income instability and inability to pay for a program. Can you imagine being that one student who has to stay behind while the bus pulls away or go to another classroom while their entire class has fun?

This lesson is one that runs deep within the core of my values of environmental education for all. There is no reason and no excuse for lack of funding, from a board, from a school, from a district, for EVERY student they serve to participate in a hands-on learning experience from Marine CSI (or any other organization). There is no reason why Title I schools should not be given extra special care while higher-income schools reap the benefits they can afford. Especially since I have seen some of the most engaged and interested students come from those underserved communities.

The 2026-27 school year's programming will come out of the feedback from teachers and administrators, participants and funders. I'm learning every day how to better prepare myself for the next season ahead and this year will be our best yet! Have a great summer y'all; see you in the fall!