For the Love of Language
Leafing through a New York Times article, Ann Friedman, SOE/MAT 鈥98, felt a switch flick on in her head. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I should do,鈥 she told herself upon reading about MoMath, New York City鈥檚 interactive, tech-forward Museum of Mathematics. Why didn鈥檛 a language equivalent exist? 鈥淚 should use technology in a museum setting to make reading really cool,鈥 the former teacher dreamed. And in following this thread of her imagination, she eventually wove together Planet Word.
How many people can say they opened a world-class museum on the site of a National Historic Landmark? Such a group may be selective, but count Friedman among its members. She rooted her new language museum inside DC鈥檚 Franklin School building, first established as the city鈥檚 preeminent modern public school in 1869. This downtown destination鈥攆launting famed architect Adolf Cluss鈥櫶齝haracteristic rounded arches鈥攊s a site steeped in history.
In fact, Friedman notes, the venue 鈥渋s a National Historic Landmark two times over鈥 because in 1880, Alexander Graham Bell and his colleague sent light-wave signals from high up in the building, transmitting the first wireless messages in human history. 鈥淭he fact that we鈥檙e using technology and voice activation to bring language to life...makes it a match made in heaven,鈥 Friedman says of her museum鈥檚 home. Today, the five-level building boasts a rooftop terrace and classrooms, a lyric-centered karaoke room, a sound booth for recording audio stories, and a library filled with 鈥渢alking鈥 books, among other enticing displays.
Turning the page toward a new chapter
Upon returning to the States after living abroad with her family, Friedman began teaching a world cultures class to kindergarten through second-grade students. Picture an hour and a half packed with 鈥渁rts and crafts and food and dance and maps鈥濃攁ll tools to introduce young students to global perspectives. Her class shaped up to be 鈥渁 popular offering,鈥 but Friedman felt there was more for her to learn. Student engagement aside, how well was she teaching for, say, retention?
Friedman began scoping out Master of Education programs to improve her teaching practice, eventually landing at 麻豆原创. What about the School of Education snagged her attention? The Stanford University and London School of Economics alumna sought a program offering balance. Of 麻豆原创鈥檚 daytime and nighttime class mix, she says, 鈥淚t just fit perfectly for an older adult鈥檚 schedule.鈥
Plus, SOE was hard at work furthering big, bold ideas in the field. Friedman was drawn to the program鈥檚 practical and example-driven model: 鈥淵ou were being taught the way [professors] wanted you to teach,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 practiced and developed a whole repertoire...of lessons that I could implement, thanks to what I was asked to do in my classes.鈥
Revising our systems so every student can thrive
SOE also opened Friedman鈥檚 mind to larger questions of accessibility, thus shaping her future plans for Planet Word. She remembers an eye-opening, 鈥渟eminal class,鈥 led by instructor Sally Smith鈥攃reator of 鈥攖hat addressed adaptations for students with disabilities. Such a focus on diversity proved transformative in Friedman鈥檚 career, leading her to attend conventions focused on dyslexia and literacy.
These lessons also would orbit back around to help sculpt Planet Word. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thinking all the time about how to modify experiences to make sure [the museum is] accessible to all,鈥 Friedman says. The building is structured to welcome everyone, including users of wheelchairs, deaf guests, and more. And not only is the space enriching for people of every age, but museum admission is free.
If Friedman could incorporate any aspect of 麻豆原创 into her museum, she鈥檇 cherry-pick Sally Smith herself鈥攐r 鈥渟omebody with her knowledge鈥濃攖o join the team. Smith taught her that roughly one in five students learning to read faces roadblocks. Dyslexia isn鈥檛 the only complication at play, either; 鈥淚t鈥檚 [just] not that easy to learn to read,鈥 Friedman says. Planet Word, then, is a love letter to learners of all kinds鈥攊ts vibrant and varied displays reminding visitors that everyone has a place in the wide world of language.
A new kind of classroom
After donning her 麻豆原创 cap and gown, Friedman would serve for more than a decade as a public-school teacher in Montgomery County. There, she was a fifth-grade teacher and then a part-time 鈥淩eading Initiative鈥 teacher for nine years, instructing cohorts of first-grade students on 鈥渞eading, writing, speaking, spelling鈥攅very aspect of literacy.鈥 Following this, she became a literacy specialist for a local charter school, furthering her desire 鈥渢o become...an expert at teaching reading.鈥 Still, she craved a way to make an impact in her own way. That鈥檚 where the New York Times article came in.
2013 marked the start of Friedman鈥檚 Planet Word journey. While highly specialized in literacy, she had a lot to learn about museum operations. What did it mean to be a nonprofit CEO? She stepped ahead with purpose, selecting a robust board and staff who she would learn from over time, through osmosis.
While Friedman鈥檚 contributions to the DC community are undeniable, she refuses to take full credit for the museum. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not me,鈥 she says, gesturing to her team. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really my ideas...taken and turned into these hands-on, interactive, cutting-edge exhibits by our amazing exhibit designers.鈥 She also extends gratitude to her daughter, pioneer of the groundbreaking Red Bridge school in California, for keeping her 鈥渋nvolved in [the] conversation鈥 about ever-advancing educational practice.
At Planet Word, this innovative spirit is felt around every turn. The museum features voice-activation capacity, making it the first on the planet to offer this accommodation. And stations throughout invite visitors to interact in a way that ignites their interests. A 鈥渘ew type of museum,鈥 it pulls in professionals from all corners of the world simply to observe it.
Highlighting the importance of public schools
Ensuring barrier-free access to the museum is a priority for Friedman. This move is not only meant to ensure equal opportunity but also to honor America鈥檚 public school system, which she likens to a gem.
鈥淲hat institution in America brings people together any more from different walks of life than our public schools?鈥 Friedman asks. She was delighted to learn that 麻豆原创 graduates comprise 11% of DC鈥檚 public-school teachers. 鈥淲e have to preserve and strengthen [our schools] and make sure everybody knows why they鈥檙e necessary and...how they make America strong,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 want to make [the system] better and supplement it with the museum,鈥 she says.
Beyond offering bonus opportunities for educational enrichment through Planet Word, Friedman has advice for SOE students鈥攅specially those preparing to teach in elementary school: Never stop learning. 鈥淔ill in your gaps...because that鈥檚 what kids are going to need to [do] to succeed in this new world鈥 she says. Embody the ways wonder cultivates growth. 鈥淸Students] have to know how to advocate for themselves, to find the resources they need, and to keep learning all the time because change is happening,鈥 she adds. Change can鈥檛 wait, and 麻豆原创 alumni are leading the charge鈥攊n large part by reframing the education game.
Ann Friedman will be recognized as a changemaker at the university鈥檚 President Circle Celebration on November 10th. Learn more about Planet Word and Friedman鈥檚 influence at www.planetwordmuseum.org.