I N D I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M A N D H I S T O R I C S I T E S
CROSSROADS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2022
NEW YEAR, MEET THE NEW NEW ROLES: EDUCATION STAFF
This month, the education team welcomed a new hire, while two others were promoted to full-time. We asked them a few questions to get to know them – and their new responsibilities – a little better.
What program or event are you most looking forward to? The Girl Scout overnight event. When I was little, I used to be a Girl Scout. I started as a Brownie and later became a Junior. I had so much fun between the camping trips, badge days, cookie competitions and more, and this event is going to allow me to relive those days. SHEREE COOPER Youth Programs Manager What programs or projects will you be organizing or overseeing in your role? I will be organizing, overseeing and implementing afterschool, homeschool, camp and scout programs.
What’s a favorite museum memory? Attending the Bug Fest event at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. I used to go every year as a child, and I would learn about different bugs and insects and the contributions that they make in our environment. There would be performances, crafts, music and food all related to the theme. I had a blast every time! What programs or projects will you be organizing or overseeing in your role? I will oversee programs such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, TinkerFest and For the Win: The Hoosier Game Expo, as well as family and public programs, like Canal Nights and Family Fright Night.
STEPHANIE KAZMIERZAK Public Programs Manager What program or event are you most looking forward to? It’s hard to pick just one, but I’m partial to TinkerFest and Family Fright Night.
What’s something you’re passionate about that you hope to bring to or highlight in your new role? I can’t wait to be able to show visitors how exciting the Indiana State Museum can be! Not only that, but I also love informal education. I see programs and events as outlets for lifelong learners to keep learning and experiencing new things.
What’s a hidden talent of yours? My hidden talent would be baking. I love making all kinds of sweet treats, but my favorite type to make is cupcakes. What’s something you’re passionate about that you hope to bring to or highlight in your new role? Experience. I believe that we can provide people all kinds of information and facts, but unless we are going to create a memorable moment around it, we cannot expect people to remember it, or incorporate it in their daily lives. I hope that I can create a memorable moment for the youth in my programs each day so as they get older, they reflect back on us in a positive light.
What’s a favorite museum memory? Standing under the Saturn rockets and actually standing on the launch platform at the Kennedy Space Center. My father loved the space program, and I inherited that same love. I learned about the space program when I was little, and being able to stand in the actual spot where people are literally launched into space was astounding. It made everything I had learned feel more real. What’s a hidden talent of yours? I have been learning beginning carpentry and have built small pieces of furniture.
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What program or event are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to putting together our Family Discovery Days. I planned the activities during For The Win: The Hoosier Game Expo last year and had so much fun. I’m excited to see what else I can put together for our visitors to enjoy! REBECCAH SWANSON Gallery Program Manager What programs or projects will you be organizing or overseeing in your role? I will be supervising the frontline engagement specialists and overseeing daily engagement. I will also be taking on tours and the Family Discovery Days. What’s a hidden talent of yours? I am a trumpet player! I’ve played since I was in 5th grade.
What’s a favorite museum memory? I will always remember when I worked at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia that while supervising a school field trip within a gallery space, a young boy ran up to me and screamed, “SCIENCE!” with jazz hands and everything. He was so excited and following behind him, trudging along, is his friend, completely exasperated, “Why do you keep running around yelling science?” I had to hold in my laughter.
What’s something you’re passionate about that you hope to bring to or highlight in your new role? I am passionate about making people feel happy. I genuinely want everyone I come across to have a wonderful day whether it be a museum visitor, a co-worker or a friend. I understand we all have those days where happiness eludes us, and it’s okay to be sad. However, if you need a boost, just know that I am always around to help in any way I can!
SECURITY UPDATE Safety Walk-through And Discussions During a safety walk-through we will see all emergency exits and discuss what to do in emergency situations. These sessions take place on the first Monday and Friday of the month at the Indiana State Museum. Upcoming dates include: • • • •
Friday, Feb. 4 @ 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7 @ 10 a.m. Friday, March 4 @ 11 a.m. Monday, March 7 @ 10 a.m.
All walk-throughs will begin in ISM’s security office (located on the third floor of the museum side of the building) and will take about an hour. Walk-throughs cover both the museum and administration sides
of the building. To sign up, please contact Dustin Chavez at dchavez@ indianamuseum.org. Important Video Surveillance Video surveillance in the workplace improves workplace safety. While having video surveillance helps to deter criminal activity and provides records of theft and vandalism, it also ensures safety of all staff and visitors by monitoring individuals within camera view and keeping a record of suspicious activity. We continue to keep up with the latest technology at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites by upgrading for enhanced visuals and storage with easy-to-use software. These upgrades assist the security
department in optimizing 24-hour monitoring of visitors, staff, artifacts, contractors and properties. Currently, we have 200+ cameras throughout the Indiana State Museum and several of our historic sites. At all times, we have one to two security specialists monitoring and making sure the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is a safe and secure environment. Requesting Video Footage Need security video footage? We can make that happen. For information about how to request video footage, please email Dustin Chavez at dchavez@indianamuseum. org or stop by the security office.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: AARON MARTIN Aaron Martin is the program developer for Levi and Catharine Coffin and Whitewater Canal State Historic Sites. He began working for the museum system in October 2021. As program developer, Aaron’s duties include planning and overseeing programs at both sites. He lives in Wayne County.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR 2022? I have a couple of weddings coming up. One is for some old friends I haven’t seen in years, and the other is for a cousin who’s asked me to be a groomsman. I haven’t seen that side of the family all together in a long time, so it will definitely be a treat. IF YOU HAD TO DELETE ALL BUT THREE APPS FROM YOUR PHONE, WHICH ONES WOULD YOU KEEP? I would have to keep Maps. I do pretty well with directions, but sometimes I take a wrong turn and need to get back on track. My pedometer definitely motivates me to exercise and track my achievements. For the third, probably the one I use to do laundry. It’s just so nice not to have to hoard quarters anymore.
WHAT BOOK OR MOVIE HAVE YOU READ OR SEEN RECENTLY THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND AND WHY? I know sci-fi isn’t for everyone, but I’ve really been getting into Terry Pratchett lately. The last one I read was “Moving Pictures.” Pratchett just has this way of meandering and letting things develop for long stretches, then rocketing you toward an exciting climax. His humor is incredible, and the mix of fantasy setting and Old Hollywood is also quite interesting. WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU COMPETE IN IF YOU WERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UPCOMING WINTER OLYMPICS? I’d go with ski jump. It amazes me how they can fly for so long and go so far, and I’m sure it is an incredible feeling. Also, if I were an Olympian, I could do it without breaking all my bones. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE OF ALL THE PLACES YOU'VE TRAVELED? It has to be Athens. At the time, I called it heaven for a history nerd because no other place has given me a stronger sense of “history happened here.” You get to walk past Plato’s Academy and Hadrian’s Library, stand on the Acropolis and see the statue of Pericles. I even got to run a lap on an actual Olympic track and pose on the medal podium. The museums are top-notch, and the food is incredible. I crammed a lot into four days there, and I still wasn’t ready to leave.
PICK YOUR FAVORITE DECADE. TELL US WHY. My favorite decade to study is the 1890s. In Europe, nationalism was rising, with the minority communities in great empires starting to come together and form their identities. People were reviving their languages and looking to their past, either real or mythical. In the United States, the country was just starting to reckon with immigration and its global role. I also like the 1980s, which has my favorite music of all time and its own significant changes, like the rise of personal computers and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
DEIA UPDATE Book discussions with Tapestry Beginning in May, Tapestry will lead us in discussions about two books focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) topics and how we can create change within the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. The two books will be available and distributed in mid-February to provide time to read them in advance of the upcoming discussions. Each book discussion will be divided into two parts. Please be sure to sign up for these discussions, which will be held via Zoom, and be on the lookout for additional information coming to your inbox soon. How to Be an Inclusive Leader – Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown Explore how to drive real change at work through Brown’s book, which provides a step-by-step guide for the personal and emotional journeys that help to create a more inclusive workplace where everyone is welcomed, valued, respected and heard. Brown – an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, diversity and inclusion consultant and author – has worked to guide organizations in workplace diversity and inclusion for more than 14 years.
We Can’t Talk About That at Work – How to Talk About Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by Mary-Frances Winters Discover how to structure intentional conversations about taboo topics like politics, religion and race within the workplace. Although thought to be topics not discussed in the workplace, these conversations happen all the time – and if not handled effectively, can create a polarizing and divisive space. Mary-Frances Winters – a thought leader in the field of diversity and inclusion – has helped clients create inclusive environments for more than 30 years.
ANNIVERSARIES JANUARY SHAWN HUDDLESON AV
RON GOAD Facilities Maintenance
CURT BURNETTE Limberlost
CATE WHETZEL T.C. Steele
JESSICA STEPHENS T.C. Steele
BRIAN MANCUSO Experience
FEBRUARY 33 years 28 years 10 years 7 years 5 years 4 years
LAUREN OXLEY Gene Stratton-Porter
DARLENE PIELL Culbertson Mansion
COOPER DAVIS Security
2 years 2 years 1 year
KISHA TANDY Collections
MICHELE GREENAN Collections
JEFF ZAWADZKE Gene Stratton-Porter
TIFFANY PARKER Gene Stratton-Porter
DUSTIN CHAVEZ Security
ANITRA HELTON Marketing
20 years 20 years 10 years 10 years 9 years 3 years
HONORING
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
SHARE YOUR STORY IDEAS! Renee Bruck, manager of communication | 317.260.3506 | rbruck@indianamuseum.org