Modern Museum Education

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.

"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

“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

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