COMMENTS from Colleagues:
"Brookdale Community College was
well represented by Dave Grant at our most recent conference.
His laid back style, in-depth knowledge and hilarious delivery
combined to make him a perfect keynote presenter…There are
not many speakers who could have connected art, baking, geography,
geology, coastal dynamics, prevailing water current patterns and
science in an understandable and fun way."
President, South Carolina Marine Educators Association
"Once again, you are to be congratulated on the time,
energy, and devotion you give to your work. Your enthusiasm and
dedication are truly hallmarks of all you do for Brookdale and
I want you to know you are truly appreciated. Keep up the good
work!"
President - Brookdale Community College
"Innovative and enthusiastic...is wonderful with students
and has developed excellent programs." Supervisor,
NJ Dept. of Education
"Terrific with students...a natural teacher"
Student teaching supervisor, Monmouth College
"Dave has developed one of the finest marine education
programs in the country."
Director, Sea Grant Program
"The master marine educator from the Jersey Shore."
- Abstract from Garden
by the Sea (1991 National Marine Education
Association Annual Meeting)
"As a graduate student, I saw your
presentation at the National Marine Educators Conference in San
Diego. I was not only impressed with your knowledge, but also
with your talent to convey information in a clear, humorous manner
that I still remember years later....I am presently designing
the summer camp curricula here at the Miami Seaquarium and would
like to use parts of your ESTUARIES:
A Day At The Bay book...I have found many of the lessons, activities,
pictures, and games to be universally appicable to all marine
environments and also to students of all ages."
Director of Education, Miami Seaquarium (1998)
"A walking encyclopedia." - Director,
Acadia Institute of Oceanography
"An instructor who makes his subject matter come alive
and captures the interest and
enthusiasm of his students." - (Another) President,
Brookdale Community College
"An institution unto himself in marine science education."
- Marine Science Specialist for New
Jersey. NJ Fish and Wildlife
"Dave understands the academic needs of students and
teaches them with a balance of information, imagination, humor,
and challenge that is ideal." Lead G&T Teacher,
West Long Branch Schools
"Generous with his time...a knowledgeable and talented
teacher, able to translate complicated ecological principles into
terms that are easily understood, while incorporating his trademark
humor that keeps groups of adults, as well as children, transfixed
on the topic."
Supervisor - Monmouth County Park System
"What better testimony is there than the continued
quality and quantity of offerings like yours?"
NJ Science Teachers Association
"Dave has been a facilitator for marine education programs
associated with NJDEP for more
than a decade. It has been a pleasure to be able to work with
him."
Senior Wildlife Biologist, N.J.D.E.P. Fish, Game and Wildlife
Division
"A great field trip leader...very informative and entertaining."
Curator, Newark Museum. Author: Peterson Field Guide
"An informative naturalist and writer."
Curator of Mammals, American Museum of Natural History
"Helpful, enthusiastic and quite knowledgeable."
- Director: New Jersey Marine Science
Consortium
"He's the guru of teacher training."
Lead Science teacher, Marine Academy of Science and Technology
"We are indeed proud of Dave's record of service and
advocacy for environmental education and teacher training....wonderful
exposure for Brookdale and your talent...Thanks so much for your
hard work and dedication.... Keep up the good work! ...Once again,
thank you for being such an able representative of our institution."
- (Another) President, Brookdale Community College
"All this confirms what we already know, that the program
at Sandy Hook is first rate."
Vice President - Brookdale Community College
"We call him the Jackie Chan of environmental education
- he does all of his own stunts."
Director of Education - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
"Dave provided his talent, knowledge and expertise
to conduct one of our most popular public programs. He is a very
capable and energetic guide. The educational partnership developed
with Brookdale Community College here at Sandy Hook is of great
value to us, and it is always a pleasure working with Dave. His
support as a volunteer is just another example of his dedication
to the program at Sandy Hook."
Superintendent, National Park Service - Gateway National Recreation
Area
"Your activities have always been interesting and original,
and you have provided us with informative, thorough background
information...I also appreciate your speedy turnaround time despite
rather hectic deadlines."
Managing Editor - Scientific American FRONTIERS television
curriculum project
"Many thanks for a job well done. We've
received rave reviews of your work with us."
Director, Department of Community Affairs - Hoffman-LaRoche Pharmaceuticals
"Always a privilege to hear you present. I've learned
many new things from your talks."
Author of Environmental books, and John Burroughs Medal winner
"Professor Grant's program surely
helped to make the day memorable for all. The smiles and fascination
on the children's faces were a testament to a great program."
Project Director, Keansburg Schools - from the BROOKDALIAN - September
2006
"An invaluable (teaching) tool."
(Dave Grant's Sandy Hook website)
from the 40th Anniversary issue of the BROOKDALIAN (1967-2007)
"It has everything we need!" (Sandy Hook
website)
Boston middle school science teacher
"Many thanks to you for the wonderful job you did during
our circumnavigation cruise. I can never express how much your
positive and enthusiastic attitude did to alleviate passenger
stress and to draw them into our learning concept."
Director of Education, World Cruise Company
"You are really exceptional and have left a whole ocean
liner in love with you. We'll never forget you for your love of
the earth and your tireless teaching."
Medical Researcher, University of Maryland
"Your lectures during the cruise were the best. We attended
every one of them!"
Newspaper writer, California
"Your teaching and company were the brightest spots
of the cruise."
President, The Explorers Club, Ltd.
"We had a GREAT time - you are so very knowledgeable.
Wish we could remember even a tenth of what we learn whenever
we are with you."
Director, NJ Council of Diving Clubs
"We receive at least a dozen letters of all types at
the president's office each week, but included with them, there
is always one enthusiastically praising Dave and his programs
at Sandy Hook."
Assistant to the President, Brookdale College
"He is well-known and respected in the environmental
field and is frequently called upon for assistance and advice.
Dave has vast knowledge and experience in environmental matters
and natural history, and has proven himself as an environmental
educator."
Professor, Monmouth College, Biology Department
"This letter is one of many I receive where teachers and
students want to tell us how important the Ocean Institute is
to them and how much they learn and enjoy the entire trip. You
definitely have the ability to impress these students with the
subject that you love and then walk away wanting to learn more."
(Another) President, Brookdale Community College.
Your writings are so interesting and
not "drab" like my kids say most of the
science readings I give them are; and your website and pictures
are great too!
Science teacher, Cranford, NJ
I just read your article
in the recent edition of the NMEA
"Current."
Great job! You did an excellent job of representing Sandy Hook
and the NJMEA.
Past President NJ Marine Education Association
I just read the NMEA Current with your
article....you have a great program going. Congratulations!
Education Director, Sea World
On behalf of myself, Massachusetts Audubon
and the entire team, I would like to express my thanks for your
participation in our workshop. After reading the evaluations,
it is clear that the participants learned as much as we did from
your talk. You have a wonderful ability to interpret complex ideas
for lay audiences, and participants expressed their appreciation
for the wonderful images and video clips included in your presentation,
as well as your easy-going style. Once again, thanks for taking
the time to share your knowledge and experience with educators
from across New England.
Naturalist, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Massachusetts Audubon
Society
I am looking forward to our visit to
Sandy Hook. You have been highly recommended by teachers in my
district as the place to go for Ocean study.
Middle grade teacher, Middlesex
County, NJ
It was a pleasure to visit your site
and take your outstanding botany tour of Sandy Hook. I particularly
appreciated the home-cooked lunch and chowder! Thank you for a
rewarding experience.
Director, University of Massachusetts Nantucket Field Station
"As Earth Day approaches each year,
we stop to think about why we do the work we do and how we get
it done. One thing is always crystal clear - we would accomplish
far less without the help of dedicated people like you who are
willing to share their time and talent to help us empower others
to care for the coast."
Director, American Littoral Society
"I don't know if you're familiar
with Dave's background, but he's taught many different marine
and environmentally-oriented courses at a variety of different
colleges. He's got an incredible wealth of experience, having
done everything from working as a naturalist on cruises to the
Arctic to winning national teaching awards for his marine science
programs. Here at Brookdale, his SOR's (student evaluations) for
teaching Environmental Studies were incredibly positive. They
were the best I've ever personally seen. As an additional footnote,
he even lived on Sandy Hook as a kid before it was turned into
a park. I think he's a great choice."
Department Chair - Brookdale Community
College
"Many thanks for a wonderful experience. The students
had a very good time.
It has been a long time since I met anyone who knows the natural
environment
as well as you do. I look forward to doing this again next year."
Diretor of Science Scholars program - Fairleigh Dickenson University
"I greatly enjoyed your recent article,
and found it particularly relevant and interesting. Your style
is personable and multi-levelled; and the asides and comments
about places and people, especially Native Americans, give it
nice texture. I would like to submit it to the college (literary)
magazine."
Vice-President of Academic Affairs - Brookdale Community College
"I know a teacher isn't supposed
to say this, but you were the strongest participant there.
The creativity and science of the methods you presented are right
on target.
Also, I appreciate that you play well with others, helped draw
out people's strengths, and helped steer activities toward a useful
form."
Facilitator/Curriculum Developer, Project WET (Water Education
for Teachers)
(And let's not forget) "Person of the Year" Time Magazine - 2006