Arboretum's new VP plans to use technology to connect visitors
When Susan Wagner oversaw the department of interactive media and digital technology at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, the museum used Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to reach out to the public.
She also helped develop an interactive planet explorers gallery for young children that will open at Adler in the spring.
Wagner plans to bring the same creative use of technology to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle in her new position as vice president of education and information.
"I love to witness that 'aha!' moment when visitors become fully engaged and feel the drive to find out more about something they're exploring," Wagner said in a news release from the arboretum.
The Downers Grove resident who began her career as a classroom teacher will oversee the Children's Garden, education program, Sterling Morton Library, plant clinic, exhibitions and interpretation at the 1,700-acre outdoor museum.
Wagner takes over from longtime arboretum staff member Craig Johnson, who retired at the end of last year.
"I'm here to build upon that success," Wagner said. "The Morton Arboretum is a very exciting place."
Gerard T. Donnelly, the arboretum's president and chief executive officer, said Wagner was chosen for the newly created vice president position for her enthusiasm and forward-thinking as well as her knowledge of information systems.
"She has an exciting and important role in enhancing the way members, visitors and others in the worldwide community learn about trees and the environment," he said.
Wagner, who began in October, said she will look for ways to further develop programs that serve teachers and students. That might include involving them in an area tree census project in which the arboretum may participate, she said.
She'll also seek to engage the public with the arboretum's upcoming Steelroots exhibit that will open in April. Created by artist Steve Tobin, the exhibit is intended to help the public understand the hidden life of trees while intriguing them with artistic forms.
"It involves approximately 15 provocative and monumental sculptures," Wagner said.
During a 16-year career as a teacher, Wagner always has sought an integrated approach to learning. She started as a math and social studies teacher in LaGrange, where she incorporated problem-based learning. She moved on to focus on integrating math, science and literature while teaching gifted students in Carol Stream schools.
Wagner ended her teaching career at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn where she worked as a team teacher in a wholistic approach to education.
While teaching, Wagner became involved with an Illinois State Department of Education program aimed at improving science literacy in teachers. The program brought her in contact with Adler, where she spent the past five years as vice president for exhibits and programs.
While at Adler, Wagner traveled to conferences and other facilities around the world and she will continue to do that at the arboretum. She recently returned from a three-week trip in which she presented a paper at a congress of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International in South Africa, visited the famous Kew Gardens in London, and attended an educational summit in Boston on how children and caregivers learn in informal settings.
Wagner also recently was named a peer reviewer by the American Association of Museums. In that position, she will read museums' self-studies, visit the museums and report on her findings.
But her chief occupation right now is assessing the arboretum's own programs, which include everything from nature hikes and summer camps for kids to classes and concerts for adults. She will work with staff to find ways to make them even more exciting for visitors, she said.
"I look for an incredible synergy that will be created with my staff," she said.
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