From Sharks to Squid Snacks: How My Aquarium Summers Shaped Me as a Third Grade Teacher

Long before I ever stepped foot in a classroom, I was wearing rubber boots, hauling fish buckets, and leading beach cleanups at Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant.

For three unforgettable summers early in my career, I worked as a “Junior Keeper” camp counselor at the aquarium. It was an incredible opportunity to blend my love of kids with a passion for wildlife education and conservation. My days were filled with guiding public tours, teaching curious campers about marine life, and even helping with some of the behind-the-scenes animal care. (Yes, that included cleaning penguin poop—and yes, it was everywhere.)

Lessons from Life at the Aquarium

Working at the aquarium taught me some of the same lessons I carry with me every day into my third grade classroom at Peck.
 

1. Patience is Everything

One of the first things I learned: penguins don’t care how clean their exhibit is. The minute we finished scrubbing it, they’d waddle back in and, well… do what penguins do. That taught me to take a deep breath, reset, and do it all again. Now, whether it’s a classroom spill or reteaching a tricky math concept, I remember those penguins and smile. Patience is a superpower.

2. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Sharks were the most surprising part of my aquarium experience. They looked fierce, but when feeding time came—if they were already full—they took their food so gently, it almost felt dainty. That stuck with me. In the classroom, I know that every student brings a unique personality, and sometimes the quietest or most reserved child ends up being the most thoughtful or imaginative thinker.

3. People (and Animals!) Learn in Different Ways

Our seals were playful crowd-pleasers who loved to perform tricks. Penguins, on the other hand, were funny and stubborn—especially when we offered them healthy snacks like squid. Learning to connect with each animal on their terms helped me realize how important it is to meet kids where they are. Every child learns differently, and part of teaching is finding the best way to support and inspire each of them.

4. Do What You Love!

Looking back, those summers at the aquarium confirmed what I already knew—I love working with children. Whether I was showing them how sea stars eat or walking with them during a beach cleanup, I found joy in sparking curiosity, sharing knowledge, and seeing the world through their eyes.

Today, I bring that same energy and sense of wonder to my third grade classroom at Peck. We may not be feeding stingrays or scrubbing down exhibits, but every day is filled with learning, laughter, and the opportunity to discover something new.

And who knows? Maybe one day my students will be the ones leading the next generation through an aquarium tour—rubber boots and all.