Name: Makaila Carpenter
Title: Educational Interpreter
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education (K-6th)
Responsibilities: Program development, education, animal care, utilizing native and exotic artifacts to teach about our world
Questions:
Q1: What did you know about Anniston Museums and Gardens prior to employment?
I grew up in the Oxford/Anniston area and frequently visited AMNH throughout my life. I knew that the Anniston Museums and Gardens was home to two museums and the botanical garden. I knew that AMNH hosted field trips for schools (I’ve attended several!), did outreach programs for the public, and helped to educate the public about the history of our natural world. I have learned so much about the Berman Museum and Longleaf Botanical Gardens since my employment; I did not have as much knowledge about these facilities as I did AMNH.
Q2: What are you looking forward to most about working here?
I am looking forward to joining the team as an educator and helping to educate all ages about the amazing history of our world. I am most excited about working with the Animal Ambassadors and teaching about them during outreach opportunities. I hope to be able to teach people new things about the animals that will foster excitement about learning.
Q3: Favorite animal and why?
It is incredibly difficult for me to pick just one favorite animal! I would say my top two are giraffes and snakes. Giraffes are beautiful animals that have such a special niche in their world. Because of their size, many other small animals use them almost like a warning system in nature. When a giraffe spots a predator and starts running, other animals know they should too. I’ve always found them beautiful and interesting. My love for snakes stems from an interest in their misunderstood reputation. I’ve always thought they were pretty animals and not so scary. I love to look at all the different patterns and learn the differences from one type to the next. I enjoy being able to tell people more about snakes and why they shouldn’t necessarily be afraid of them. (I also have a pet Western Hognose, so of course there is some bias here!)
Q4: What is your favorite exhibit and why?
My favorite exhibit at AMNH is Attack and Defense. I am so interested to see how different animals use their bodies’ abilities and natural instincts to survive. The animals in this exhibit are gorgeous and the way they are placed in natural positions allows the viewer to gain insight into what would’ve been the animals’ real lives. Plus, of course, this is where we have a couple of live snakes incorporated into the exhibit. I still find myself walking through this exhibit and reading new information that I didn’t see the first time through.
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Name: Maryellyn Hawbaker
Title: Educational Interpreter
Degree: Bachelor of Art
Responsibilities: LAB, tours at AMNH and Berman, live animal presentations, and point of sale
Questions:
Q1: What did you know about Anniston Museums and Gardens prior to employment?
I felt pretty familiar with the AM&G prior to employment because my husband and I have been members at the AM&G for several years and enjoyed bringing our girls to the museums frequently when they were younger on rainy days or during winter months!
Q2: What are you looking forward to most about working here?
Getting to work with the live animals during animal outreach and programs, and creating my own programs to help encourage our community to love learning new things.
Q3: Favorite animal and why?
Elephants are my favorite animal because they’re so noble and intelligent, and even though they’re huge and heavy, I think they’re super cute!
Q4: What is your favorite exhibit and why?
I love the Environments of Africa exhibit (elephants, obviously) because it’s so diverse and varied; you can talk about so many different parts of one continent, so many different types of ecosystems and wildlife; it’s a lot of amazing stuff.