Meet Mover and Shucker Katherine Ward

Katherine Ward moved to Stuart in 2013, and over the years, she has enjoyed bringing her family to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Her interest in preserving and protecting our beautiful south Florida waterways is what drew her to volunteer at Florida Oceanographic. “I view Florida Oceanographic as a vital link in the community between citizens, educators, government, and businesses,” she says.

Katherine has been a volunteer with Florida Oceanographic for less than two years, but has already accumulated almost 200 hours in her role as an Exhibit Guide at the touch tank and inside the Ocean EcoCenter; she also helps with the oyster restoration projects. “I love helping guests,” says Katherine, about her daily volunteer work. “I also enjoy observing and learning about Florida’s fish and invertebrates.”

A benefit of working as an Exhibit Guide has been Katherine’s ability to meet people from numerous states, and countries—with some surprising results. “The most surprising experience I've had at Florida Oceanographic is that I met a guest who actually lives in my old house in Michigan!”

After receiving a BA degree in advertising Katherine worked in the newspaper/radio advertising business for five years. She then became a stay-at-home mom for ten very rewarding years, raising four children. “It allowed me to be totally available to my children and set my own agenda,” she said. After raising her children, she earned a master’s degree in Education. Her return to the working world saw her spend twenty-one years as a first-grade teacher in Detroit.

Her children, four grandsons, and three granddaughters live in Michigan and Oregon. Before landing in Florida, she lived in six different states: Maine, Mississippi, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Snapshot:

Born in: Bangor, Maine

College: BA from Michigan State University, Masters from Wayne State University.

Favorite local restaurant: King Neptune, Port Salerno

Other volunteer commitments: Audubon Society, GOP of Martin County, Redeemer Lutheran Church

Hobbies: Exercise by walking, Zumba and Tai Chi. She enjoys fishing and crocheting.

Recommend books : Aging with Grace by David Snowdon, Sugar Crush by Dr. Richard Jacoby and Authoritarian Moment by Ben Shapiro

Good recent movie: “Elvis”