Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Lacey.
Hi Jenn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The happiest memories I have as a child were spent at the beaches in San Diego. Specifically, being in the ocean–swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling, diving, splashing, playing. The ocean has always been my happy place where I feel the most alive and free.
More than just my happy place, the ocean is also my greatest teacher. I was introduced to the ocean’s power at a very young age and learned quickly to respect her. The ocean forever humbles us and inspires a lifetime of learning (and unlearning). Before the ocean, we are all students.
In the summer before college, I began surfing–it was love at first sight. Since then, almost all of my decisions in life–what my day-to-day looks like; where I live, work, travel; who I build relationships and community with–have centered around the ocean and surfing. Surfing brings out the happiest and healthiest version of myself and has given me all of the best, wildest, and most rewarding opportunities in my life.
I attended Point Loma Nazarene University, the ideal campus to surf my heart out, and received my bachelor’s in psychology. It was there that I found the connection between surfing and psychology–surf therapy!–as I interned for Groundswell Community Project, a local nonprofit that offers surf therapy programs for women.
As a living testimony (and witness to countless others), I wholeheartedly believe in the healing powers of the ocean. I continued learning as a trauma-informed surf instructor and surf safety co-facilitator for Groundswell after my internship ended.
During my time at PLNU, I also started to uncover my love for working with children. I worked as a youth development leader at the Peninsula Family YMCA’s afterschool program all through college, aspired to be an elementary school teacher and so completed all of my child development units and elementary education classes. This was only the beginning… I have over 10 years (and counting!) of experience working with children in a variety of settings: as a youth development teacher, surf instructor, English teacher, camp leader, lifeguard, behavioral interventionist, inclusion aide, nanny and tutor.
Working with children has always given me so much fulfillment and purpose. It is a great honor to get to pour into our next generation. These little humans motivate me to be a better person. They bring me back to the most joyful, pure and loving state. They remind me to live in the now, to keep my heart and mind wide open, and to play all throughout life.
After college, I moved to Huanchaco, Peru, and worked as an assistant teacher for 3rd grade English. I found out that, although I love working with kids, teaching in the classroom was not truly where I wanted to be. I thrive outside, learning from the virtues of nature and outdoor play. Establishing a love and connection to nature is one of the most important things we can impart onto our youth.
After nine months of traveling, surfing, learning, and teaching in Peru, I returned to San Diego and began exploring alternative education and different philosophies of teaching. I particularly resonated with the philosophy of nature schools, which generally looks like full immersion in nature, hands-on learning, child-led learning, and free play. I began seeing the first glimpses of an ocean-centered learning center I wanted to create one day.
I sought out directors and teachers of local children’s nature school programs, learned all that I could from them, and began looking for more aligned work opportunities.
I landed the opportunity to be the lead teacher at a holistic alternative school in Ayampe, Ecuador that was just starting up. I learned a lot about myself, my capabilities as a lead teacher, how to build and implement my own curriculum, and what establishing a learning center looks like.
In the summer of 2020, the chance to start Ocean School fell on my lap. A family I had been nannying for several years asked if I would be open to being their kids’ teacher for the year while the schools were shut down due to the pandemic. They would organize a small “pod” of second graders for me to give the kids some face-to-face interaction and normalcy in this unprecedented time.
I proposed my vision of Ocean School, all of the parents were incredibly supportive and enthusiastic. I could not have been in a more encouraging network of people where everything just flowed effortlessly. Our very first six students and their families are the essence of a true community, our roots, and foundation that made it all possible.
In addition to the incredible “First Wave ” families, my husband, Orlando is an indispensable part of Ocean School. He and I first met surfing and we share the same love for the ocean. Orlando is an exceptionally passionate human being and an outstanding surfer, athlete, coach, and lifeguard. He studied Physical Education and was a co-founder and event’s organizer for his local surf association in Santa Catarina, Brazil. In other words, he is the perfect match for me and the little dream I had of Ocean School.
Because of Orlando–his beautiful heart, ocean wisdom, surf, and sports expertise, exuberance with the kiddos–the dream of Ocean School was growing bigger and in ways, I could have never dreamed up alone.
Neither one of us can imagine a better life than one spent living and learning by and in the ocean. We have been surfing, expanding, learning, growing, dreaming, doing, trusting, and riding the wave that is Ocean School ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been learning to embrace uncertainty and let things unfold in their own perfect time and way.
Starting in the height of COVID, everything was ambiguous–the schools were going back and forth on when they would reopen again; we had no timeline; I wasn’t sure who else would be in the group or how it all would work. We were all just taking it day by day.
As business owners, we don’t have a consistent month-to-month paycheck or set schedule or boss to answer questions that we don’t know.
Yet what is meant to be always will be–I find a lot of peace in that. Also remembering that there are no mistakes. I truly believe that we are, in any given moment, always exactly where we are supposed to be. Whatever happens, is “perfect”–part of the bigger story and necessary for our own growth and learning along the way.
I am constantly reminded and learning to embrace that I do not have total control. As an all-outdoors program, we are at the whim of the weather and ocean’s conditions. Letting nature be our guide means being not only in tune with the seasons and swells but also flexible and willing to shift our plan in a moment’s instant. Respect for the ocean and prioritizing the children’s health and safety always comes first.
For example, we all come prepared to get in the water every day (it is generally the highlight of all of our days); however, when the waves are too big or the water quality is below normal, we won’t go in.
On the flip side of these challenges are many learning points and constructive conversations about respecting the ocean, ocean conservation, and so much more. We take advantage of the opportunity to connect directly with our environment and learn from what is happening around us at all times.
Trusting, surrendering, and going with the flow in all circumstances demonstrates what I hope the children can gain from all of our time together and nurture flexibility and resilience for when they confront challenges in their own lives.
More than anything else, our intention is to be a container of safety and support that always points back to our greatest teacher: Ocean!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ocean School?
Ocean School is an all-outdoors learning program based in San Diego, California. We offer seasonal camps and afterschool programs for elementary-age children and surf lessons for all ages.
Our programs include surf lessons, ocean swims, beach sports and games, tidepool explorations, coastal hikes, beach clean-ups and so much more.
We provide a safe and supportive space for kids to become aware and connected to their own body; explore the ocean and natural world; build confidence and competence; spark meaningful friendships and community; better take care of themselves, each other, and the earth.
We give our students the freedom and responsibility to take learning into their own hands and find what truly lights them up. Whether it’s surfing, snorkeling, making ocean-inspired art, studying marine life, boogie boarding, or simply taking a mindful breath, there is something about the ocean that we all can appreciate and enjoy.
We cultivate not only love and curiosity, but also a desire to protect and take care of the ocean. We empower our students through awareness and knowing that each of us makes a difference through our day-to-day choices. Together we find fun and creative solutions such as upcycled art projects, trash-to-treasure hunts, and plastic-free challenges.
In all of our time and learning together at Ocean School, we ultimately hope that our students love, respect, and take care of themselves, each other, and the ocean… just a little bit more.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is understanding that all of life is connected, whole; then realizing our purpose within the context of the whole.
Success is finding what benefits oneself and the world around them. I believe that we are each here on purpose. With all of our unique stories and experiences, there is a thing (or things) within all of our hearts where our passions, desires, and skills align; that which we are good at and brings us joy… this is our gift. Success is sharing our gift to the world–whatever it may be–and, in doing so, uplifting and touching the lives of others around us.
Success is a feeling–a sense of peace knowing that I shared my heart, my gift, and did something, no matter how small, that made the world even just a fraction better than how I found it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oceanschooliscool.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/oceanschooliscool
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/oceanschooliscool
Image Credits
Melissa Johnson
Lucas Cartaxo
John Cocozza
