For Modern Museum Educators
Museum education sometimes feels like the “red-headed stepchild” of the public history field. But, as a vertern of museum education, I like to think of us more like the Anne Shirleys of the public history field. (Now, I KNOW, Anne Shirley wasn’t technically a “stepchild,” but you know what I mean.) If you’ve never read Anne of Green Gables, let me explain: Anne was misunderstood, considered eccentric, and was usually a little out of step from the rest of her community… I mean, this sounds familiar, right? Does anyone else in your institution understand what you really do? Like, do they REALLY?
Because in my 14 years of experience, I’ve never had a colleague who isn’t an educator ever fully grasp what all is involved in this special, little part of the nonprofit world.
But, Anne Shirley is also hands-down the most fun, the most creative, the most intelligent, the most resourceful, the most daring, and the most persistent character of the story. And if that doesn’t describe the last decade of my professional work, I don’t know what does.
Modern Museum Education Was Designed for Museum Educators by a Museum Educator
As I approach the midpoint of my career, I feel an undeniable urge to elevate our work and to support other museum educators. I have a lot of thoughts about how museum education departments rank in the overall structure of the nonprofit world. I have big opinions about the value our work provides to the world. I have a lot of experience translating high-level theories into real-world practices. I know how it feels to be up to your elbows in crayons and glue sticks in the morning, and then meet with a Board member about your strategic approach to interpreting difficult history in the afternoon. I know what it’s like to painstakingly plan a program with free-choice activities and VTS-informed lessons, only to end up wishing you could just reenact Cookie Monster’s “Don’t Eat the Pictures” song and be done with it.
I know what museum educators need because I am one, and I’m excited to create a space for sharing resources, best ideas, and leading theories with other educators.
Introducing the Educator Resource Library
One of my biggest goals at Modern Museum Education is to make our daily work easier, so we can focus on what’s really important - crafting meaningful learning opportunities for our patrons. That’s why I’m so excited to create a library of done-for-you resources!
If you’re curious about how this library can shave hours off your workload, I explain it all at modernmuseumeducation.com/introducing-resources.
Or, if you’re ready to dive straight in, use the sign up form below to get immediate access!