About me
Tirzah S. Jaynes is the founding director of the Maritime Engineering & Environmental Studies Academy (MEESA), a Virginia College Partnership Lab School created in collaboration with Old Dominion University. Grounded in a design thinking instructional model, MEESA blends environmental science, maritime engineering, and global logistics to prepare students for careers in the blue and green economies.As part of ODU’s Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity, Tirzah leads a school that doesn't just teach innovation, it actively researches and practices it. Her work centers on reimagining public education through real-world learning, student agency, and interdisciplinary design. A former science educator and instructional lead, Tirzah is passionate about helping teachers move from compliance to creativity—no matter the grade level or subject.
