EdCom
The American Alliance of Museums' Education Professional Network (EdCom) advances the purpose of museums as places of lifelong learning, serves as an advocate for diverse audiences and educators, and promotes professional standards and excellence in the practice of museum education.
EdCom’s strategic agenda focuses on defining, fostering and celebrating best practices in museum education, as well as investigating, articulating and provoking next practices.
EdCom does this by:
- Sponsoring national awards for excellence in museum education
- Conceiving and implementing professional development opportunities at the AAM annual meeting and beyond
- Providing access to the most up-to-date information about the informal learning field and the profession
- Offering networking opportunities for those engaged in fostering the educational purposes of museums
Get involved in EdCom by volunteering to serve on a committee!
Awards
EdCom recognizes outstanding museum educators and supporters, programs and resources that exemplify excellence.
Leadership
EdCom is organized by the sub-committees led by the following board members, along with a dedicated team of volunteers.
Tony Pennay, Chair
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Simi Valley, CA | Sheri Levinsky-Raskin, Chair-Elect
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
New York, NY |
Megan Wood, Secretary
Ohio History Connection
Columbus, OH | |
Communications
Prepares and distributes regular correspondence to members and promotes opportunities to engage in EdCom activities and social media conversations.
| Heather Schneider, Chair
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, IL | Chair-Elect to be elected in 2018
|
Annual Conference
Reviews and recommends content for the annual conference and organizes networking events.
Mark Osterman, Chair
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Miami, FL | Chair-Elect to be elected in 2018
|
Leadership Development and Awards
Orients leadership, recruits and maintains volunteers, and coordinates and recruits solicitations for the EdCom awards.
| Claudia Ocello, Chair
Museum Partners Consulting
Maplewood, NJ | Sarah Jenks, Chair-elect
Ford's Theater
Washington, DC |
Membership
Welcomes new members with information about the network and offerings and serves as a liaison to the regional and state representatives.
| Russanne Hoff, Chair Elect
Hastings Museum
Hastings, NE | Chair-Elect to be elected in 2018 |
Museum Education Issues
Addresses areas of special concern to the field of museum education through identifying new resources and organizing professional development programs, including the Marketplace of Ideas.
| Dina Bailey, Chair
Mountain Top Vision, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia | Kyle Parsons, Chair-Elect
Minnesota Historical Society
Minneapolis, MN |
Professional Development
Conceptualizes and implements professional development programs and coordinates and recruits solicitations for the EdCom awards.
Sheri Levinsky-Raskin, Chair
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
New York, NY | Rebekah Harding, Chair-Elect
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
Simi Valley, CA |
National Associates
These advocates are appointed by the Chair to help keep EdCom’s thinking relevant, ambitious and broad, acknowledging the educational work within museums outside of formal education departments.
Monica Montgomery, Museum Hue
Chris Taylor, Minnesota Historical Society
Museum Education Roundtable Representative
Amanda Thompson Rundahl
St. Louis Art Museum
St. Louis, MO