Teachers, Invite a Department of Cultural Affairs Educator Into Your Virtual Classroom

April 22nd, 2020

SANTA FE, N.M. – As school districts across the state have transitioned to online instruction for the remainder of the academic year, teachers can supplement lesson plans by inviting an educator from one of the divisions of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) into their virtual classrooms.

Find out about traditional sheep herding. Uncover what an archaeologist does. Learn how women won the right to vote in Spanish-speaking countries. Explore the diversity of southwest pottery, textiles, paintings, and jewelry. Discover the history of airships and build your own blimp. 

These and a variety of additional topics and programs are available for virtual instruction by a staff educator of the DCA, which includes eight museums, seven historic sites, New Mexico Arts, the Office of Archeological Studies, the Historic Preservation Division, and the New Mexico State Library.

Teachers can fill out an “Invite a DCA Educator” form online found on the department’s website at www.newmexicoculture.org. Requests will be forwarded to the appropriate department division, which would then coordinate with the teachers.

“If we can’t have classes visit our amazing museums, libraries, and historic sites, then we want to go to them, and our new request form should make it easy to connect with teachers and students,” said State Librarian Eli Guinnee.

About the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, seven historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, the DCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico. 

Events, news releases, and images related to activities in divisions of the DCA can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.

###