She developed her passion for environmental and sustainability education while teaching for 16 years in public school classrooms in Virginia. Professor Merritt has also worked as a director for a natural history day camp and an education coordinator for a natural history museum. She majored in elementary education at the College of William and Mary. Professor Merritt later received two graduate degrees from the University of Virginia: a master's degree in science education and a doctoral degree in educational psychology/applied developmental science. Her early career work was focused on mathematics teaching practices. She co-authored two NCTM publications that were awarded Linking Research and Practice outstanding publication awards.