Using Digital Curriculum and Curation Tools with Your Students: Developed by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Anne Kraybill is the Director of Education and Research in Learning at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art where she oversees the distance learning initiatives for the museum, including the Crystal Bridges Online Learning Program. Anne was formerly school and community programs manager at the musuem, where she oversaw the implementation of the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit Program and initiated a random-assignment evaluation measuring the impact of a one-time visit to an art museum.

Anne has a BFA in Photography from the Maryland Institute College of Art, a MA in Museum Education from University of the Arts, and a MS in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University.

Diana Garrison, Virtual Arkansas Art Instructor, is the pilot teacher for both of Crystal Bridges’ online courses for high school students. As she was wrapping up her first semester of teaching Art Appreciation and American Identity, she was asked to be a consultant during the development of Art + Process: Creating a Body of Work. Diana now trains instructors for the Crystal Bridges courses through the Online Scholars training program. She has 15 years of teaching experience, and is entering her fifth year of online teaching for Virtual Arkansas where she teaches public school students across the state. 

Diana graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BFA in Graphic Design. After working in the advertising field for 15 years, she earned her alternative certification to teach K-12 Art. Diana enjoys working from her office in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Erin Earnst is the Director of Dissemination for Crystal Bridges Online Learning at EDC. Through this work, she supports the use of the Crystal Bridges digital curriculum and curation tools by arts and humanities educators across the country. For over 17 years, Erin has worked to design and lead effective online and blended learning programs. To all of her work, she brings a first-hand understanding of classrooms and schools drawn from her work as an elementary and middle grades teacher and a deep commitment to providing educators with high-quality learning opportunities.

Erin received her BA in Elementary Education from Boston College and her MA in Teaching from the University of Portland (Oregon) through the University of Notre Dame’s ACE AmeriCorps program.  

Kirsten Peterson is the Director of EdTech Leaders Online at EDC. She has extensive expertise in designing engaging learning experiences, managing large-scale online teaching and learning initiatives, and leading teams of instructional designers. She helps organizations build, nurture, and sustain communities of learners, with a special focus on online learning, and also supports the integration of virtual and blended learning opportunities in K–12 school districts.

Kirsten taught high school English and journalism prior to joining EDC. She holds a BA in English Literature from Montana State University and an EdM in Technology in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Sara Brannen is an art teacher at Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Arkansas, where she piloted use of the Crystal Bridges Online Scholar digital content with her students during the 2017–2018 school year. She has led professional development for educators in her district in the use of the Crystal Bridges courses with students. She teaches AP Art History, Art Appreciation, Crafts and Pottery 1–3, and Painting 1–3 for students in grades 10–12.

Sara graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, and continued her education at University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she received a Masters in Education. She also holds an English as a Second Language endorsement and is currently working on a Masters in Counselor Education.