from the January 2001 PAEA Newsletter

Megan joined the Education Department at the Carnegie Museum of Art in the fall of 1998. In her relatively brief tenure there, she has made a significant impact on the museum’s ability to achieve its mission as an arts resource for schools, students and teachers. From her first days on the job, Megan demonstrated her commitment to supporting teachers in their desire to enhance in and through the visual arts. She has set out to open and invigorate the museum’s line of communication with area educators. The overwhelming success of the museum’s student and teacher programs related to the 1999 Carnegie International Exhibition is due in great measure in Megan’s vision, creativity, and persistent hard work. Megan was a significant force in creating an award-winning videotape produced with the collaboration of area high school students. The 1999 Carnegie International Exhibition was viewed by a record number of school students who produced compelling and powerful responses to the issues and ideas presented in the artwork on view. The museum is especially proud of the publication produced by a high school editorial board, working under Megan’s guidance.

Megan sustained the momentum built during the Carnegie International in her work with a team of teachers to identify connections between classroom curriculum with the museum’s next special exhibition Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets. At the same time, Megan has worked closely with countless teachers to support their individual teaching objectives through innovative programs or specially focused gallery tours related to the museum’s permanent collection. She continues to strengthen the single-visit museum experience that is the most frequent request of teachers while bringing her considerable intelligence and creativity to bear on multi-visit, in-depth gallery experiences. She is also responsible for Learning Links, the museum’s newsletter for teachers, and for improving the way in which gallery services are delivered by the museum’s volunteer docents in the galleries.

In her planning efforts with and on behalf of teachers, and in her communications with teachers and administrators she demonstrates respect for the creativity with dedication of teachers who so often accomplish remarkable feats in the face of considerable obstacles.