GEM North East
Meet the GEM North East Reps!
The North-East has a diverse and varied heritage ranging from our Roman history to our industrial heritage and the historic cities of Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle and other sites found all around us. This cultural heritage is reflected in the wide collection of museums, heritage sites and organisations that are found here.
Joanne McKenna
Assistant Learning Officer
Northumberland National Park
[email protected]
My current role is with Northumberland National Park working with schools. My previous roles have included working with schools and families at Discovery Museum in Newcastle, Life Interactive World, Gateshead Libraries and many moons ago a primary school teacher. The opportunity to get children to engage more with nature and the heritage around them seems even more important now. Outside of work I enjoy busman’s holidays visiting museums with my children.
Morgan Fail
Assistant Learning Officer
Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
[email protected]
Tel: 0191 277 2183
Morgan is Assistant Learning Officer for History at the Great North Museum: Hancock, part of Newcastle University and Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. Her role is to lead on the history programming for formal and informal learning through school facilitation and project delivery. She is trained in all levels of Arts Award, and has a successful Home Educators program, attracting families from throughout the country. As well as her GEM NE rep role, Morgan was a previous Chair and current Vice-Chair for Hadrian’s Wall Learning and Engagement Forum. Morgan has worked in the sector for over 12 years working in education roles in various venues, facilitating science, arts, history and local history activity.
Kirsty Robinson
Assistant Learning Officer
Segedunum Roman Fort & Stephenson Steam Railway
I currently work as an Assistant Learning Officer at Segedunum Roman Fort and Stephenson Steam Railway. I started out my career as a Secondary History teacher before deciding to change to work in Museum Education. I have worked with children from under 5s upto A Level at a number of different museums including Arbeia Roman Fort, Beamish Museum, Discovery Museum in Newcastle and Darlington Railway Museum. Outside of work, I love to go running and enjoy taking part in half-marathon and marathon events as well as watching loads of different sports including cycling, athletics and football.