Slayden Wirt
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Graduate of UCSC eager to expand current skillset, as well as contribute to team success through knowledge of photography, education, and marine conservation and biological sciences. Most recently worked at a marine research lab. Years of experience with children, specifically in an educational setting. Interested in being a future-researcher or instructor. Hoping to gain more ocean-science-related and hands-on experience. Motivated to learn, grow, adapt, collaborate, and excel in the Marine Biology field as well as combine passions for both marine wildlife and photography.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
School Programs Instructor
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Santa Cruz, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Prepared various materials and activities to gauge how well students were learning.
- Established clear objectives for lessons, units, projects and communicated objectives to students.
- Facilitated learning through imagination, sensory activities and age-appropriate activities focusing on marine sciences.
- Take care of various marine species within the Seymour Center, and learn how to handle each individual animal.
- Provide hands-on learning experiences for children so inspire them to be passionate about marine conservation.
- Guide children on how to safely handle the animals to optimize both their learning experience, as well as the marine species' safety.
- Give tours in the Long Marine Lab, making sure that the groups I am leading are working together to leave the marine mammals undisturbed.
- Study new material being taught each week, which differs by grade level.
- Managed classroom environment conducive for learning to meet maturity level and interest of students.
- Evaluated progress of individual students to adjust teaching strategies to meet needs.
- Implemented positive behavior interventions and supports to promote rules and compliance during discovery labs.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
Nature Photographer- Contributor
Getty Images And IStock
Santa Cruz, CA
05.2022 - Current
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
- Edited, toned, captioned, and uploaded photographs for publication.
- Ventured out in extreme outdoor settings with camera equipment to get up-close images of animals in their natural habitat
- Planned and prepared for on-location and studio shoots.
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
- Managed and organized photo database using consistent naming conventions and key-wording for search optimization.
- Leveraged camera gear and equipment to express creative vision.
- Used image processing algorithms to reduce motion blur and enhance color, contrast and light range.
- Displayed portfolio to show off best work to potential clients and promote skills and value.
- Utilized natural and artificial lighting to capture desired images and maintain quality.
- Took photos from different angles and perspectives to capture perfect images.
- Utilized various types of camera equipment to capture best possible shots.
- Captured stunning images for variety of projects.
Marine Mammal Husbandry
UCSC Long Marine Lab
Santa Cruz, CA
09.2024 - 11.2025
- Conducted field research to support marine biology projects and ecological assessments.
- Assisted in data collection and analysis for marine life monitoring programs.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective project coordination and execution.
- Clean animal enclosures
- Creates toys for dolphins
- Plan enrichment for dolphins, seals, and cockatoos
- Water quality testing
- Creating endobroth
- Conduct coliform tests
- Food sorting and prep for all animals
- Keeping compound clean and up to USDA and APHIS codes.
- Free feeding the dolphins
- Working part time in Vallejo to care for dolphins over summer 2025 and quickly adapted to an entirely new lab and space
Nanny
Family Friends
St. Louis, MO
07.2020 - 09.2022
- Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
- Balanced playtime and limited screen time to support development of fine motor, gross motor, and cognitive skills.
- Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
- Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
- Engaged with children on age-appropriate level.
- Supported children in play activities, meals, and snacks, hygiene and socialization.
- Developed and implemented behavior management strategies to minimize indiscipline and guide children in attaining positive behavior.
- Prepared meals and snacks for children based on dietary guidelines.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships.
- Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling.
- Regularly traveled with family to help with vacation activities and childcare.
- Encouraged children to be understanding and patient with others.
- Identified warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in children.
- Supervised children on playground to help develop physical and social skills.
- Developed games and activities using arts and crafts to support learning and verbal skills.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06.2022
Skills
- Team Teaching and Collaboration
- Diverse Audiences
- Classroom Leadership
- Social Skills
- Classroom Presentations
- Adobe Lightroom
- Landscape Photography
- Wildlife Photography
- Image Editing and Retouching
- HD Photography
- Extensive Knowledge of Local Marine Wildlife
- Extensive Knowledge on Marine Mammals, their training, and their care
Getty Images Link
https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/SarahWirt?mediatype=photography
Timeline
Marine Mammal Husbandry
UCSC Long Marine Lab
09.2024 - 11.2025
School Programs Instructor
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
01.2023 - Current
Nature Photographer- Contributor
Getty Images And IStock
05.2022 - Current
Nanny
Family Friends
07.2020 - 09.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz