Modern Museum Education

Rachel E Gibson
  • 3.7 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Rachel, the consultant, creative partner, and champion small-but-mighty museum education teams turn to when they’re ready to level up. Fueled by a passion for museum educators, who are stretched thin, but long to fall in love with their world-changing work, Rachel set out to create a podcast to support her fellow educators by grounding her episodes not only in practical advice and personal experience, but in the latest research and industry standards. Part conference session and part coffee shop chat, these episodes will inspire you to reclaim your professional creativity and emotional energy! 

  1. 12/22/2024

    This Work Matters: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 12

    "Now more than ever, the world needs the truth, creativity, and inspiration that museums provide." We're wrapping up the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition with a heartfelt reflection on the importance of museum education. In this final episode of 2024, I share my gratitude for the museum educator community and excitement for what lies ahead in 2025. Join us as we celebrate the impact of museum education and look ahead to a year of growth, innovation, and meaningful connections. Thank you for being part of this amazing community! Let’s make 2025 the best year yet. For consulting inquiries or professional development opportunities, reach out via modernmuseumeducation.com. Stay tuned for more updates and resources in the new year! For full show notes and a transcript, visit https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/020.

    7 min

  2. 12/21/2024

    Thriving at Work: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 11

    In this penultimate episode of the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, we dive into a deeply resonant topic for museum educators: finding and sustaining joy in your career. Whether you're thriving or just surviving, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you reconnect with your passion, create balance, and innovate in your work. From rediscovering the spark that brought you to museum education to building meaningful connections and setting boundaries, discover insights and practical advice to help you start the new year on a positive note. Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/019.

    13 min

  3. 12/20/2024

    Volunteer Recognition: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 10

    "Volunteers want to feel like they're contributing something meaningful, not just completing a task." Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, a special podcast series designed to give museum educators actionable tips and research-backed strategies to elevate their programs for 2025. In today’s episode, we’re focusing on volunteer recognition programs—a cornerstone of many museum operations. Volunteers are often the unsung heroes of museum life, providing support for tours, events, and so much more. But as we move into a new year, it’s time to rethink how we inspire, reward, and retain our volunteers to create meaningful, long-term relationships. This episode will inspire you to take your volunteer recognition efforts from transactional to transformative! Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/018

    10 min

  4. 12/19/2024

    Show and Tell: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 9

    “Your perspective is valuable. Whether your first presentation is big or small, it’s a chance to contribute and inspire others in the museum field.” In today’s episode we explore a topic that might feel intimidating to many but is incredibly rewarding: presenting at professional conferences. Sharing your knowledge and experiences with peers can be a transformative step in your professional journey, and Rachel is here to guide you through it! Whether you’re new to presenting or just need a little push, this episode is packed with actionable tips and heartfelt encouragement to help you take the leap. Rachel shares her personal journey, advice for starting small, and practical tips for planning, practicing, and engaging your audience. For full show notes and a transcript, visit https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/017

    14 min

  5. 12/18/2024

    Empathy First: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 8

    Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition! In this episode, we explore the transformative power of human-centered design in creating museum programs that truly resonate with visitors. Whether you're designing for school groups, families, or adult learners, this approach puts people at the center, ensuring relevance, meaning, and engagement for all. Human centered design is not just for physical spaces! Use this technique to identify visitor needs, encourage collaboration, and refine your programs based on real-time feedback. Find the full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/016

    13 min

  6. 12/17/2024

    Original Ideas: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 7

    Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition! Today’s episode dives into fostering creativity and originality in museum education programs, inspired by Adam Grant’s book, *Originals*. Listen to learn key insights about the innovative nature of museum education and how museum educators are the prime candidates for fostering originality and innovation! Discover how to create a culture of creativity and find out why iteration is the key to success in museum education programming! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review or share it with a colleague. Join me tomorrow for Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Full show notes and transcript can be found at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/015

    16 min

  7. 12/16/2024

    Systems Thinking: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 6

    Today’s episode dives into the transformative power of systems thinking and its application to the wicked problems we face in museum education. Learn how this innovative mindset can help you approach complex challenges with clarity, adaptability, and creativity. In this episode, you'll discover what wicked problems are how systems thinking can help you solve wicked problems a real-world example of a wicked problem in museum education why systems thinking, and its emphasis on perspective-taking, can make a big difference for your museum education work Find full show note and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/014.

    19 min

  8. 12/15/2024

    Program Refresh: 12 Days of Christmas, Day 5

    In today’s episode, Rachel dives into the art of knowing when—and how—to refresh long-standing museum education programs. Whether it’s your department’s signature offering or a seasonal favorite, keeping programs relevant and engaging requires intentional reflection, strategic updates, and community input. Key Takeaways: Recognize the Need for a Refresh Use Data as a Guide, Not a Judgement Balance Tradition with Innovation Engage Your Community Document the Process Frame Change as Growth, Not Failure Key Quotes “If you can do a program in your sleep, that’s not the energy you want to bring to an audience.” “Don’t let your numbers define you, but don’t run from them either." "Every ending is the beginning of something new. Embrace change and take your programs from good to great.” Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/013

    13 min
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About

Join Rachel, the consultant, creative partner, and champion small-but-mighty museum education teams turn to when they’re ready to level up. Fueled by a passion for museum educators, who are stretched thin, but long to fall in love with their world-changing work, Rachel set out to create a podcast to support her fellow educators by grounding her episodes not only in practical advice and personal experience, but in the latest research and industry standards. Part conference session and part coffee shop chat, these episodes will inspire you to reclaim your professional creativity and emotional energy! 

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel E Gibson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Modern Museum Education