Sarah EW MartinThank you for the warm welcome you have extended me in taking the Beach Watchers Program Coordinator position. I am honored to work with such a fine, thoughtful and hard-working group of people. I am excited to get to know everyone, and to learn the the needs of the many Beach Watchers who work hard to educate and develop stewardship among the communities on Camano and Whidbey Islands. 
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio in a family of idealistic, talented artists. My father was a professor of life drawing and printmaking at the Cleveland Institute of Art before he retired, and both parents are artists. Their advice to me was to work hard and make a difference (but not through art).
I went to the United States Military Academy at West Point to do that. I graduated with a BS in English and engineering and served as a topographic and port construction engineer officer in the Army in various locations, such as Virginia, Haiti, Hawaii and Kwajalein. Having worked around water, I developed a strong connection to the sea and the coasts. I earned an MPA at the University of Oklahoma while still in the Army and left the Army after my service in 1997. While living in Missouri, I worked as a writer/editor of environmental publications for Advancia Corporation and taught for several colleges. And while living in Alaska, I taught high school English, economics and art at Pacific Northern Academy in Anchorage. I also developed latent creative skills in drawing, painting (acrylic and watercolor) and stained glass.
Also while living in Alaska, I was inspired by the magnificence of the outdoors and the environment. I witnessed such shocking changes in the environment that guarding our world took on a new meaning for me. Moving to Whidbey Island in 2006, I found a smorgasbord of ways to become involved. Because I have two young children, Samantha (9) and Luke (7), I first participated in their activities and education. I also served as Island County Deputy Coroner. I got to know Island County well through that job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. However, when the Beach Watchers Program Coordinator position became available, I felt my talents and skills could serve Beach Watchers well in the long-term.
My immediate goal is to get to know the organization and its participants well. I can feel the Beach Watchers’ passion, see their competence in their various fields of expertise, and sense their dedication to people and the environment. Again, I am honored to be here to serve you and to support our common goal:
Also while living in Alaska, I was inspired by the magnificence of the outdoors and the environment. I witnessed such shocking changes in the environment that guarding our world took on a new meaning for me. Moving to Whidbey Island in 2006, I found a smorgasbord of ways to become involved. Because I have two young children, Samantha (9) and Luke (7), I first participated in their activities and education. I also served as Island County Deputy Coroner. I got to know Island County well through that job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. However, when the Beach Watchers Program Coordinator position became available, I felt my talents and skills could serve Beach Watchers well in the long-term.
My immediate goal is to get to know the organization and its participants well. I can feel the Beach Watchers’ passion, see their competence in their various fields of expertise, and sense their dedication to people and the environment. Again, I am honored to be here to serve you and to support our common goal:
. . . to educate Island communities about the fragility of ecosystems and water resources, while developing a stewardship ethic among the people who live, work, and play in the area.
Sarah EW Martin