School Programs

Miriam Anton

ROM position: Bilingual Museum Educator since 2022

Favourite ROM gallery or object: The striding lion in the Gallery of the Middle East, because I enjoy learning about societies and civilizations of the past. Since there is so little that remains of Ancient Babylon, it's fascinating to examine an element of this society that was once a powerful city. Equally fascinating are the details of the lion and the colourful glazed bricks which offer insight into the art and architecture of this ancient city.  

About me: I have taught ESL, English and Social Sciences at the secondary level. In 2014, I had the opportunity to work with students in Guangzhou, China which was a memorable experience! I love learning about different cultures, languages, and history. I am thrilled to connect with and learn from students while exploring the many stories, insights, and lessons found at ROM!

Kelly W Hodgins

ROM position: Museum Educator since 2003

Favourite ROM gallery or object: Strigil in the Roman Gallery. This seemingly innocuous object can be interpreted as intersecting science, history, and human perseverance.

Favourite quote: “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your life…make it the life you want to live.” - Mae Jemison

About me: The ROM is an incredible place to teach, with our millions of objects and wide range of visiting students! My degrees are in science, English, and education. I have taught preK to post-secondary, and have taught outdoors, in schools, and weekly on a commuter bus. My favourite parts of teaching are learning from students and engaging visiting classes. I look forward to welcoming you to the ROM and sharing the wonder around us!

Jessie Jakumeit

ROM position: Indigenous Museum Educator since 2018

Favourite ROM gallery or object: Shaking Pole of Kw'ax̱suu'. It’s a symbol of our matriarchal cultures and has a great story about respecting nature.

Favourite quote: "What is a life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." - Chief Crowfoot

About me: I am a Visual Artist and Educator from Vancouver with Gitxsan, Tsimshian, German, and Icelandic ancestry. I studied Visual Arts at the University of Victoria and Education at the University of Toronto. In 2015, I completed an International Residency in northern New Mexico and Colorado. Curiosity led me to teaching at art galleries and museums including the Royal BC Museum, Blue Crow Gallery, Latcham Gallery, the Living Arts Centre, and Art City.

Alexis McBride

ROM position: Bilingual Museum Educator since 2015

Favourite ROM gallery or object: Plastered skull from Jericho. The Jericho plastered skull is my favourite object in the museum because even though it has been studied a lot, we still don’t really know why people made it.  This reminds me that people in the past had a rich culture that we will never fully understand.  It motivates me to keep asking questions and appreciate the complexity of the world. 

About me: I am an archaeologist with a PhD in Middle Eastern archaeology and over 15 years experience working in museums.  I have travelled all over, learning about the world and how people live, and I love nothing more than sharing my excitement for this knowledge.

Leslie McCue

ROM position: Indigenous Museum Educator since 2018 and Coordinator of the ROM Youth Cabinet since 2015

Favourite ROM gallery or object: The three cradleboards in the First Peoples Gallery. I often think of who might have been cared for and wrapped in those particular cradleboards. It makes me cherish the times I have wrapped my younger family members in their cradleboards, and how we continue to wrap them with love and support as they grow.

About me: I am a proud member of the Mississaugas of Curve Lake First Nation and an artist who also works freelance for various organizations in performance, arts administration, facilitation, and project coordination. My work is driven by my past, my passion to educate, and my motivation to empower others.

I am a third year Fellow for the International Society for the Performing Arts and part of the Thread Residency with Musagetes Foundation. I work independently with Chocolate Woman Collective, Mola Dulad Media Collective, CHIPPEWAR, Young Peoples Theatre and many other community projects throughout the year.

Melanie Ng

ROM position: Museum Educator since 2021

Favourite ROM gallery or object: The Gods in My Home exhibit that ran until January 5, 2020. This exhibit was such a calming space to think about family, family traditions and connections to ancestors through observing Chinese visual culture. It’s the kind of exhibit that I saw my own family reflected in.

About me: I have been at the ROM since 2019 and I’m currently working on earning my PhD at the University of Toronto studying histories of Chinese immigration/migration to Canada and throughout transpacific networks. I’ve taught all sorts of spaces - schools, lecture halls, museum galleries, community outreach centres, and basements. The ROM in My Backyard program was one of my favourite and most rewarding jobs as it allowed me to do outreach visits to communities all over the Greater Toronto Area and meet some amazing people!

Ana Maria Oliveira (Preferred Ana Oliveira)

ROM position: Rom Educator since 2022 and Hands-On Gallery Facilitator since 2019

Favourite ROM gallery or object:  The Bee Hive one the second floor in the Hands-On Biodiversity Gallery! Honey bees have so much to share in what they achieve, how they take care of their home, and how they collaborate so well with each other.  From making honey, bee bread, building a hive, pollinating, taking care of the land and more. They are a great reminder of how learning is interdisciplinary!🐝🍯

Favourite quote:  “It was a pleasure meeting you, even if you are my least favorite vegetable! Take care, Turniphead!” -Sophie from Howls Moving Castle 

About me: I am a teacher with a focus on history! A new thing that I am learning is the history and stories of math. I really enjoy listening to the stories that folks share. What I love about learning is, that it is collaborative, social, engaging and always growing. I look forward to meeting you virtually or in person! 🙂

Julie Tomé

ROM position: Lead Bilingual Educator since 2007

Favourite ROM gallery or object: The planetarium. I know, I’m cheating. It’s immersive, and I can whisk students to the farthest reaches of the galaxy or to a dinosaur dig in Alberta.

Favourite quote: “[Kids] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” - Jim Henson, It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider

About me: I’m by my nature a science communicator - that kid who would dive into a subject then tell you all about it. I decided to study astronomy in Grade 6. While at university, I realized it was the teaching not the research aspect of science that I preferred. I’ve worked as a science communicator at observatories, science centres, and at the ROM for over 20 years. My alphabet soup: BSc, BEd, GDip SciComm.

Januya Uthayakumar 

ROM position: Bilingual Museum Educator since 2021

Favourite ROM gallery or object: This one is always changing for me, especially as I learn more and more about different things. For now, my favorite exhibit was The Cloth that Changed the World. I love how identity stories and cultural myths were woven (both literally and figuratively) into the cloths. As a Sri Lankan-Canadian, this exhibit connected me to my identity, especially because my mother continues to work with cloth and fabrics to this day.  

Favourite quote: “Search (and learn) with sincerity, humility and love,” ~Hatsheput: Daughter of Amun by Moyra Caldecott.

About me: I am a teacher. I have a Bachelor of Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies. I have an insatiable curiosity, especially all things history and science, and I absolutely love learning! I think learning is all about helping people become kind and caring citizens who want to make the world a better place for everyone!