Formed in 1969, the National Museum Education Roundtable (MER) fosters professionalism among museum educators by encouraging leadership, scholarship and research in museum-based learning. Since the forming of MER, museum educators in many cities have created their own “mini-MERs”, including PittMER, the Pittsburgh Museum Educators’ Roundtable, founded in 2013. PittMER meets throughout the year in the spirit of collaboration.
Led by a steering committee with representation from 8 museums and organizations, PittMER hosts meet-ups at museums and cultural institutions around the city, and the region. Event types include tours, panel discussions, cafe conversations, story slams, multi-day summits, and informal happy hours. Topics may cover technology, evaluation, accessibility and inclusion, mindfulness, programming, gallery teaching, and more. PittMER seeks to level the professional playing field, connecting students and professionals of all levels with colleagues from a variety of cultural and informal institutions.
2020 Steering Committee:
- Becky Gaugler, Independent Museum Educator
- Mariruth Leftwich, Heinz History Center
- Kelliann Walsh, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Amanda Gillen, The Frick Art & Historical Center
- Wendy Brenneman, Carnegie Science Center
- Rebecca Grabman, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- Hattie Lehman, Carnegie Museum of Art
- Danielle Linzer, The Andy Warhol Museum
