Sarah Schoedinger

Sarah Schoedinger (she/her) spent over 25 years building environmental and science literacy through formal K-12 and informal education, driven by a belief that informed and motivated people of all ages are key to creating climate resilient communities and a healthier ocean. 

Before retiring from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2025, Schoedinger was co-founder and co-lead of the Environmental Literacy Program, which provided $95M in grants to 163 projects across the United States over two decades. As a senior education program manager, Schoedinger shaped a national portfolio of grants and partnerships for NOAA supporting ocean and climate literacy, environmental and STEM education, and community resilience. The program’s investments demonstrated numerous effective, scalable approaches for helping children, youth, and adults take an active role in improving ecosystem health and increasing climate resilience in their communities.

Schoedinger is also a long-time advocate for global ocean literacy, having led the development of the foundational Ocean Literacy Framework, which is now used internationally to connect ocean health, climate, and human well-being. She continues to champion the idea that education is essential infrastructure for resilient communities and a thriving ocean.

Schoedinger has a B.A. in philosophy and history of science and mathematics from St. John’s College and a M.S. in Marine Studies from the University of Delaware. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat whose antics warrant his own Instagram account.