If you’re interested in teaching but don’t want to be in the classroom, then you might be interested in a career as a museum educator. Outreach Educator Meaghan Huseman taught middle school science for eight years and then decided to pursue an M.S. in Conservation Education - which ultimately led her to join the Museum’s education team.

Through a wide range of specially designed programs, projects, and events, our Outreach Team brings the Museum to school children and adults statewide. We hope you’ll have the chance to meet Meaghan - she’s a remarkable educator and we are fortunate to have her on our team!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR MDWFP’S MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE?

I started my position with the Museum in January 2023.

WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?

My workday varies from day to day. As an outreach educator, I have approximately 20 counties in the Southeast part of the state that I cover. On any given day, I could be on the coast or to the North in Noxubee County.

I do mostly school programs and some teacher workshops. I have several animals that I care for and use in my programs. I love to see the joy and excitement in the children's and adults’ faces when I pull out whatever critter I am using that day.

Whenever I am not on the road doing programs or caring for the critters, I am working on developing new programs and tweaking ones that I already use.

ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?

The first one that comes to mind is when I was visiting a school. I was walking around with the Gopher tortoise and he decided it was time to potty! He barely missed unloading on a child - but I was covered. I learned a valuable lesson. Always bring a change of clothes!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

I grew up right here in Central Mississippi. I have always enjoyed being outdoors gardening, fishing, and hiking.

I graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Secondary education. I taught middle school science for 8 years and then I decided I wanted a change. I began working towards my M.S. in Conservation Education and stumbled across an internship with Duck’s Unlimited.

At DU, I created lesson plans and activities for outdoor camps and learned much more about water conservation and the benefits for both rice and ducks. My internship was drawing to a close and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I knew I did not want to go back to the classroom.

I was so blessed that an education position opened up in my area with the Museum.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?

The importance of conservation was instilled in me since I was a little child by my grandfather.

When I was a public educator, I realized that there was a huge gap in education in this area.

Even though I taught in a rural area, people did not have knowledge of the things right outside in their backyard and the effects that their actions have on those things.

HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?

My job relates to conservation because I have the pleasure of teaching individuals about our Mississippi Ecosystem and how everything is connected. I get to bring real animals, pelts, and skulls so that they can see and feel as they learn.

I feel that this makes the message much more personal than just watching a documentary or reading a book.

ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?

Get out there and do it! Take the volunteer positions and look for internships in areas that you have an interest in. There are several web-based portals and groups that can help you find these things.