Laura Winnie Education Professional

Heritage Village - Largo, FL - Curator of Education

Jan 2018–Present

• Manage Junior Docents, teen volunteers providing tours and activities for visitors
• Train and evaluate 150 volunteer docents and interns
• Point of contact for all group visitors: scheduling, greeting, and gathering and processing program feedback
• Develop standard operating procedures for reservations, groups, and other programs
• Evaluate and upgrade programs including traveling history trunks, field trip activities, customized curriculum for special programs and events, and adult lecture series
• Design exhibit panels and interactives
• Manage social media and web content

Busch Gardens - Tampa, FL - Zoo Education Aide

Jul 2014–Feb 2016, Jul 2017–Jan 2018

• Led guests on tours throughout the zoo, providing interpretation on animal behaviors, biology, and training, as well as conservation guidance
• Assisted in staff training and developed training materials

Museum of Science and Industry - Tampa, FL - Youth Programs Manager

Apr 2015–Aug 2017

• Managed YES! Team and Youth Advisory Board programs with over 50 teen staff and volunteers
• Increased volunteer program enrollment by 500% in the first year
• Developed career ladders, workshops, events, evaluations, and other program materials
• Led STEAM programs on and offsite for program participants and visitors of all ages
• Increased volunteer program enrollment by 500% in the first year
• Managed program budget, calendars, and special events
• Cultivated community partnerships for service learning opportunities
• Created and maintained monthly and annual reports for entire education department
• Organized, interpreted, and reported all department evaluation data

Tampa Bay History Center - Tampa, FL - Instructor

Jun 2014–Aug 2017

• Developed and led American Girl Doll and Archaeology Mysteries camps, providing lessons, crafts, and activities for 24 elementary-aged students
• Managed program budgets and volunteers

Polk County History Center - Bartow, FL - Curator of Education and Programs

June–October 2013

• Developed, planned, and led the Center’s most successful family programs, bringing hundreds of new visitors to the museum
• Provided information and assistance to Center guests as a primary contact for the public
• Partnered with local groups to provide programming and support for new initiatives
• Trained and supervised interns and volunteers

Burlington County Historical Society - Burlington, NJ - Program Specialist

July 2010–June 2013

• Developed school programs created to provide engaging experiences while meeting academic standards
• Scheduled and implemented programs for adults, families, school groups, and scout troops
• Exhibit research, development, construction and creation of interactive components for families and children
• Training and supervision of interns and volunteers
• Worked closely with Board of Trustees and advisory committees to implement new ideas and initiatives
• Assist Executive Director with various responsibilities including grant writing, collections management, building and grounds work, and public relations
• Creation of marketing materials
• Social media coordinator

Fenimore Art Museum - Cooperstown, NY - Education Consultant

February 2011–May 2012

• Designed books on collection pieces for sale in the gift shop
• Created family activity bags for temporary and permanent exhibits

The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum - Cooperstown, NY - Education Associate

June 2009–December 2009, March—July 2010

• Created Art Carts featuring hands on activities for children and families for exhibits including the Thaw Collection of Native American Art
• Created school programs for NY History Day
• Developed and implemented programs and tours of exhibits
• Created and implemented summer art program for children
• Supervised volunteers, museum educators, and graduate students
• Organized public program events including recruiting vendors, arranging setup and cleanup, booking speakers and managing finances

Milwaukee Public Museum - Milwaukee, WI - Education Intern

June 2008–August 2008

• Revised education programs and applied academic standards
• Created activity book and marketing materials for public overnights
• Assisted Head Educator as needed, including special events, summer camps, and professional development workshops

Cooperstown Graduate Program - Cooperstown, NY - State University of New York at Oneonta/New York State Historical Association

M.A. History Museum Studies

Graduation: May 2009

• Student/Faculty Research Grant
• Thesis: More Than Just Home Base: Community Relations Between the Racine Belles and Residents of Racine, WI

University of Missouri-St. Louis - St. Louis, MO

B.A. History • Minors: Archaeology, American Studies • GPA 3.934/4.00

Graduation: May 2007

• Pierre Laclede Honors College
• George Rawick Award in History for Undergraduate Work

“More Than Just Home Base: Community Relations Between the Racine Belles and Residents of Racine, WI,” NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, In Press.

Review of “We Were the All-American Girls,” by Jim Sargent. NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture 22, no. 2.

Review of “Intimate Apparel,” by Jill Fields. Material Culture 42, no. 1 (Spring 2010): 91.