Helping Out at MOTAL Is the Best

You do not need to be a teacher to become a meaningful part of The Museum of Teaching and Learning (MOTAL). Take it from us; we are Bea, John, and Joan. You meet lots of great people, and find all kinds of interesting tasks that will engage and inform you.

In addition, you get to help MOTAL make our world a better place. A famous quote by Horace Mann is posted on the wall of the gallery at the MOTAL Hub. It reminds us that, “Education is our only political safety.”

Bea Lee

Bea Lee is our resident expert of the Adler typewriter and the fascinating story behind how MOTAL came to acquire it.
I was born and raised in Sacramento and graduated with a degree in health sciences from California State University San Francisco. Over the years, I was employed by a variety of organizations including the Bay Area Chapter of Leukemia Society and the State of California, where I worked as a public health assistant and an analyst. Eventually, I worked with a team that investigated cases of fraud in public health for the state.

In 2017, I retired and joined an exercise class at the YMCA where I met Greta. After many conversations and much laughter, she asked me to volunteer at MOTAL. I was hesitant because I had never worked for a CEO or a museum. After meeting Greta’s professional board members, staff, and helping with the membership and donation mailings, I was convinced that MOTAL was the place I wanted to dedicate some of my free time. I especially enjoyed learning about how MOTAL acquired the Adler typewriter. MOTAL’s goals and objectives are clear, and the community should embrace a museum that displays historical learning tools, artifacts, and the ways in which technology has progressed to enhance learning.

John Parra

John Parra is MOTAL's mover and shaker!
My name is John Parra. I am a retired college counselor and instructor and was always involved in educational opportunity projects. I grew up in La Mirada, California, but have lived in nearby Fullerton for over fifty years. My wife and I both graduated from Cal State Fullerton and our two children attended local public schools. I have been a supporter of MOTAL for over a dozen years. Then, during the last year I began to contribute time and energy (in addition to donating money). In the past few months. I helped prepare and load an exhibit that had been sold to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Library. It will now attract visitors from the Central Valley. I helped move furnishings from MOTAL’s former, tiny office to the new, spacious “hub.” I’ve also made many trips with my car to transport objects and boxes out of storage to new placements at the new headquarters. As long as I can be of service, I enjoy the active work. Being connected to MOTAL is meaningful, fun, and warms my heart.

Joan Vaught

Joan is a wonderful story teller and is always happy to talk about the View-Masters!
My name is Joan Vaught. I am from Winston Salem, North Carolina, and currently live in Placentia, California. I am a retired Insurance Medical Claims Auditor. I started volunteering for MOTAL after I met Greta in our fitness class at the Fullerton YMCA. Volunteering for the museum has been exciting and informative. I learned a lot about the history of the educational artifacts just by scanning the QR codes with my phone. I chose to know a lot about the old View-Masters, and actually have a badge that says, “Ask me about the View-Master.” Also, as a volunteer, I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people. We work with volunteers and staff each week, and had fun at our recent ribbon-cutting celebrations.