Learning to Educate People About Education: MOTAL's Newest Doll Scholar

Introducing Anna Emerald

One of the highlights of my Heritage Management program was learning how to properly clean historical objects at Hampton Court Palace. In the above photo I am practicing my dusting skills on a Grinling Gibbons wood carving that was destroyed in a fire in 1986.

A few years ago, I was in an interview for a position with a healthcare provider. My interviewer was a middle manager many years my junior. He took a minute to review my resume and seemed to be interested until he reached the education section. When he read it, he looked confused and with his hands a-waving, said something like, “Your resume looks great, but then you got an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching? Why?” The way he said it made me think he thought it was a fluke. I took a deep breath and responded that THAT was NO accident. 

I had to explain that learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. In community-based programs, we are trying to do one of two things; impart knowledge or change behavior. I had been creating learning opportunities for people from various backgrounds since my undergraduate days at UCLA. However, I realized that if I wanted to create effective programs, I needed to learn HOW people learned. I needed to understand how to create curricula that incorporated every students‘ modalities and learning styles so that they could understand what I was teaching. With a look of embarrassment, he ended the interview. He nodded his head and said, “Yeah, you are overqualified for this position.” I never heard from him again.

My career path has been anything but conventional. However, I have had the privilege of putting together creative learning experiences for children and adults alike. After obtaining my B.A. in English, I moved to Quito, Ecuador where I taught English as a Foreign Language and English Composition and Culture. I taught undergraduates at the Pontifical Catholic University of Quito, Ecuador using a multi-subject approach focusing on American history and literature. I loved every minute of it.  

I returned to Los Angeles and worked in a mentor program that helped to get first generation students into college. I truly enjoyed meeting and working with young students and their mentors and families. After a few years, I decided to pursue an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University so that I could continue creating educational programs. I returned from New York and worked in various organizations on several projects ranging from a neighborhood revitalization initiative in Lennox, CA to an international research institute at the University of Southern California. 

In 2019, I set out to realize a personal dream to study Heritage Management in London, England. I attended an amazing program with Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) at Queen Mary University of London. I was so fortunate to attend Master classes at Hampton Court Palace where I learned how HRP managed royal palaces as museums. I had practicums at Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace in Operations, Curating, and Surveyor of the Fabric (Maintaining the Physical Plant). I learned so much about the heritage industry and would have loved to have moved their permanently, however, I was not able to find a post during COVID that sponsored visas. ​

Now three years after earning an M.A. in Heritage Management, I find myself interning at MOTAL! I am enjoying working with Greta Nagel and the team as we prepare to move into a new space. We have been busy sorting through books, packing artifacts, and selling exhibit materials that are no longer in use. Additionally, we have been researching and discussing new ideas regarding board development, fundraising, and merchandising for current exhibits. I am happy to have found a museum that educates people about education! If I had kept in touch with my interviewer, I would have invited him to come join us!

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.