04/13/2026
It was a real pleasure to have Tyler Osborne, Digital Educator at Maryland Center for History and Culture, in for a Conversation this week. For several years, Tyler has conducted workshops on important aspects of Maryland's history through ZOOM with our students. This was our first in-person meeting.
The students had many questions for Tyler including about her background and what led her to want to work in museums. She talked about the importance of using first person voices and giving voice to those affected who can be overlooked. This can be a challenge in our present federal environment. We were also interested to find out about the careers available in museum work.
Thank you Tyler for your generous sharing of time with us.
04/06/2026
Prolific and noted author Saadia Faruqi was our special guest for a stimulating Conversation. The students had just finished reading her novel Some of Us Are Brave and were eager to talk with her about it. Ms. Saadia spoke about her experiences as a Muslim woman and an immigrant from Pakistan. She spoke about the challenges it has presented even as she has found opportunity and contributed greatly to this country. Ms. Saadia has written more than 60 books and traveled to speak to many students across the country. She is an interfaith activist as well.
In addition to discussion about her novel, the students were interested in Ms. Saadia's background and life experience and her unique perspective on events in the news. Although she was supposed to visit us in person, some of these events changed this to a ZOOM session. Ms. Saadia is now a U.S. citizen, but problems with TSA and suspicion and mistreatment by ICE of people who look like her, changed her travel plans. These events changed this to a ZOOM session.
We are grateful for this meaningful and enlightening session. We look forward to having Ms. Saadia visit us when she comes to Baltimore. Special appreciation to Martha Marani, Children's Programming Specialist at Charm City books for arranging for this visit.
04/13/2026
04/06/2026