GET TO KNOW: THE EDUCATION TEAM

We are excited to have two new staff members who have been doing incredible work to support teachers and students around our state. Our new Director of Education, Sally Meyer joined us in December from the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, while Education Manager Michelle Walker who began with the RIHS last July, transitioned into this new role after years of teaching in the classroom. Together they bring vibrance and passion to this essential area of our work.

Sally Meyer, Director of Education

You came to the RIHS from Virginia. What similarities and differences do you see between the work you did in Virginia versus what you are doing now in Rhode Island?

Meyer: My previous work was focused more on art and outdoor programs. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia includes a historic house, seven acres of gardens, history and art galleries, and a network of hiking trails. However, I was able to make use of my passion for history and introduced several program series that made use of the MSV's collection of historic objects including a "Lunch and Learn'' series, "History in the Kitchen," and programs focused on LGBTQ+ history No matter the topic or subject, I love any opportunity to engage in object and inquiry based learning with students, teachers, and general visitors-something I get to do even more at RIHS!

How do you see the changes coming to the John Brown House Museum affecting the education work the RIHS does?

Meyer: The coming changes to the interpretation at the John Brown House Museum will help us to better serve student groups and general visitors to the museum by exploring topics and themes like histories of trade, life in the early Republic, and the history of the slave trade in a more focused way. Students will be able to look closely at objects and learn about the experiences of a broader base of people who have called Rhode Island home.

What do you see as the role of education within the larger mission of the Historical Society?

Meyer: Education is central to the mission of the Historical Society! We honor Rhode Island's past by interpreting and sharing history with visitors and learners of all ages every day through school programs, tours, exhibits, online resources, and serving as the affiliate for National History Day.

Michelle Walker, Education Manager

How does your time as a teacher influence how you approach the Education Manager position?

Walker: When I accepted the Education Manager position, my mission was to try to make all of our existing resources as user-friendly and accessible as possible for teachers of all age groups and to do the same in the development of new resources. I think having been in the classroom, I have a working knowledge of what works and what does not work, as well as what conditions our teachers are working under Teachers today are overloaded and do not often have the time or support to research or create lessons and units from scratch. I want our website to consist of quality, ready-to-use resources that teachers can trust and rely on. Most of all, I want teachers to know that I empathize and have their backs

You recently finished your first time going through National History Day with the RIHS. What did you learn from the experience?

Walker: I learned so much! I had been a History Day teacher for many years, but seeing the process of what goes into putting a contest together and running it on that day is a TOTALLY different animal! There are so many logistical elements that go into planning, recruiting schools and judges, organizing, and training. All of these small actions behind the scenes ensure a smoother contest and a more enjoyable experience for all. We used the advice of veteran coordinators and what we learned from judging in the neighboring states of Connecticut and Massachusetts to inform what choices we made There were, of course, bumps in the road. However, now we know what we did not know and how we can improve next year. Flexibility and an openness to learning are key!

What is your approach to reaching students and teachers in this role?

Walker: Communication is key We typically send Teacher e-blasts once a month that contain free professional development and student resources and opportunities. I have developed and offered teacher workshops concerning History Day and The Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program that are practical for teachers to expand their curriculums. I make myself available to confer with teachers and students to offer troubleshooting, research and curricular assistance both in person and through Zoom. In creating content and planning for our summer History Camps, I facilitate personal connections between students and history so that it is alive and relevant to them in their daily lives. This job has been such a gift in that it enables me to continue sharing my love of history and education in a new way and a wider scope