Learning to Educate People About Education: Meet Our Fifth Doll Scholar

Introducing S. Mackenzie ("Max") Eastman

I am S. Mackenzie Eastman, though I go by “Max”. My parents named me after the little boy in Where the Wild Things Are, the famous book by Maurice Sendak. As the daughter of an artist and an early childhood educator, I have been a lifelong learner, encouraged to approach the world around me with openness and curiosity.
Both my educational and professional careers have been varied and non-traditional. I began my life in higher education at a fine arts college, dropped out for an alternating career in freelance toy design and e-commerce administration, eventually applied to California Lutheran University with a tentative interest in journalism, and finally graduated with a self-constructed interdisciplinary degree. During this return to higher education, a chance interview at the William Rolland Gallery ultimately changed the course of my life and career, opening my eyes to the opportunities of the museum world and allowing me to curate my first exhibition, Key Frames: A Celebration of Animation and Production Art.
I am now pursuing a Master’s degree in Museum Studies at Claremont Graduate University. My interest particularly lies in museums as a space of communication and education – what draws certain people to certain spaces? Why do certain institutions succeed in communicating with their audience while others struggle? How do context, history, and more play a role in it all? And how can we as educators ensure that everyone is able to experience and embrace a natural curiosity about the world around them? I am eager to tie these questions, and my work around them, to MOTAL’s ongoing and ever-resonant mission: educate people about education.

The intersection of my educational path with the work of MOTAL comes at the perfect time, as I have begun working in earnest to become an educator myself. I hope to use my varied background to contribute administrative support and creative problem-solving alike to the MOTAL mission. In turn, I hope that MOTAL’s passionate and experienced staff can help me to become a smarter, kinder, more effective educator, both in the world of museums and as an individual.


S. Mackenzie “Max” Eastman


Max Recommends:

• Have you ever looked at Coursera? This site offers both free and paid tiers of online classes, certificate programs, and even entire degrees from universities and corporations around the world. Many courses are “at your own pace”, allowing you to pursue learning about interesting topics no matter what your schedule or budget!

• Are you a college graduate? Have you ever checked if your alma matter offers free or discounted classes to alumni or community members? Some may even have courses on offer for seniors! Give the alumni office a call and see what learning is available to you!

• If you have a vegetable garden, check and see what food scraps can be planted and re-grown! Garlic, green onions, carrots and more can be grown by planting the cloves, roots, or tops!

In Memory of Loren Doll
Click Here to View
Loren's Obituary

The scholarship will continue to be funded with annual proceeds from a perpetual account. MOTAL also welcomes any further donations to support future scholars in Loren’s memory. Note: MOTAL interns are paid for their services. They do not work for free. One scholarship will support three months of part-time service.

Checks may be sent to:
MOTAL
P.O. Box 3820
Fullerton, CA 92834-3820

Electronic credit card contributions in Loren’s name may be given securely at www.motal.org.