> << Museums will always have subject matter > experts around. They don't always have good educators. >> I find the idea that educators don't have to be subject "experts" rather distressing. Perhaps not THE expert, but certainly as well informed as, say, a master's degree in a related field for someone responsible for planning the education programs. Otherwise junk information and wrong emphasis and poor interpretation can run wild. You have to have a solid grasp of the basics of the field to put information in context, know the terminology, know the arguments, know the coming areas for research, know where the sources are for good and reliable information... maybe only the tip of this iceberg gets out to the public, but you need the whole iceberg. At the art museum where I work as a consultant, the education staff is specialized - one person for school programs, one for adult and docent programs, one for family programs - and I believe that all of them have advanced degrees and experience. The head of the Education Department is considered a Curator, and makes decisions along with the art Curators and other senior staff. All these people have to know their stuff. Teaching experience and training is important, but even a gifted and trained teacher is a better one with a deep background and a passion for the subject taught. Carol Ely Museum Consultant Louisville ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).