Sharon Shaffer, PhD
Author of Engaging Young Children in Museums Dr. Sharon Shaffer is a consultant and leading expert in the field of early learning and museum education. She draws on nearly twenty-five years of experience in the field as the Founding Director for the Smithsonian's model lab school in Washington, DC. Shaffer received The Secretary’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service from the Smithsonian Institution – the only educator with this distinction – for creating a national model in museum-based learning for young children. Her experience includes consultations with museums and schools nationally and internationally, ranging from program development and evaluation to strategic planning and capacity building for educators. Dr. Shaffer teaches for the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia and writes professionally for the field. In spring 2012 she served as the guest editor for the Journal of Museum Education’s issue “Early Learning: A National Conversation.” Sharon can be reached at: sharonshaffer.consulting@gmail.com Website: http://earlylearninginmuseums.com/ Order her book at Left Coast Press: www.lcoastpress.com
