In more than a decade of experience as an informal educator, I’ve worked both in person and online with every age group (and sometimes many at once) to achieve myriad objectives. From coaching individuals to speaking to a crowd, I relish every opportunity to connect with a new audience of learners, helping them hone their skills, wrestle with sticky subjects or discover new passions.
“As a former public school educator AND current homeschooling parent, I noticed how Kirsti [kept] the entire mixed age group interacting, on task and involved in the discussion and activity. Kirsti possess very unique skills being able to accomplish this without knowing the children prior to or their knowledge base. Not only were the parents impressed with the information taught to our children, the children had an incredible time in the learning center.”
Newseum Learning Center class participant
Training Professionals
- I’ve led dozens of in-person professional development workshops and corporate team-building events at the Newseum. I’ve also presented sessions at the National Council for Teachers of English conference, the Jefferson/Overseas Schools Technology Institute (sponsored by the U.S. State Department), and through Smithsonian Associates.
- As a coach, I’ve created custom plans and resources to help teams and individuals hone their ability to create quality content, efficiently manage feedback, and streamline overall production processes.
- I’ve presented webinars for organizations including the Poynter Institute’s News University and the National Council for the Social Studies.
Educating Students
- I’ve been working with students in professional and volunteer capacities since college. I’ve taught subjects ranging from conflict resolution to clowning in settings ranging from formal classrooms to community events.
- I taught thousands of students who visited the Newseum for field trips and special events. I also trained more than half a dozen staff educators who have gone on to teach tens of thousands of students combined.
Engaging the General Public
- I’ve led tours and workshops for adult groups including Road Scholar and the American Association of University Women.
- I’ve presented at the Sulzberger Family (New York Times) Annual Meeting, Newseum Corporate Engagement Night, and for the Newseum board.
Video Presentations
- Lincoln, Greeley, & Emancipation: A casual conversation filmed for the American Battlefield Trust to explain the impact of Horace Greeley’s open letter to Abraham Lincoln calling for the immediate abolition of slavery.
- Explore the Information Universe: One of a suite of videos I scripted and filmed to help teachers explain core media literacy concepts to their students in digestible ways; each has a corresponding infographic to help students retain the ideas and apply them in real life.
“Kirsti’s lesson design and classroom management was stellar. I was taking notes on her preparation, lesson organization and delivery as much as on the content of her lesson.”
Newseum Summer Teacher Institute participant