Studying English literature at Yeshiva University’s Stern College, EY Zipris originally planned on getting a PhD in the subject and becoming a professor. However, after taking some time off from school, and beginning to work in Jewish Education, she eventually landed at Teachers College where she completed her EdM in Art Education with a concentration in Museum Studies.
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EY Zipris is a TC alum and Assistant Director of the Frederick A.O. Schwarz Children’s Center
While at TC, Zipris saw a posting for a part-time educator position to teach school programs at the Museum of the City of New York. Fast forward 10 years and she is now the Assistant Director of the Frederick A.O. Schwarz Children’s Center, where she develops and leads professional development programs, creates exhibition-based material for classroom use, and oversees a staff of part-time Museum Scholars who lead Adult Group Tours. Zipris explained that she loves working at the City Museum for many reasons, among them the fact that she is able to constantly learn new information about New York City’s history in a truly collaborative environment with “an amazing array of professionals who are generous with their time and expertise.”
Zipris cites her experience at TC as influential to preparing her for her current position. “My classes always included opportunities to present our work – standing and speaking in front of peers and faculty, and it was a great way to prepare for my job,” Zipris remarks. “I am constantly speaking in public – from teaching history to 30 fourth graders, to discussing our programming with 300 parent coordinators. TC really prepared me to consider not just what to deliver but how to present information.” Zipris particularly mentioned Associate Professor of Art Education Olga Hubard, as a prominent professor who guided her work and ensured she had meaningful outcomes. Zipris explains, “I began working in two museums under Hubard’s tutelage and am certain that my ease came from her classroom.”
As someone who has seen Zipris’ passion, knowledge, and charismatic group leadership first-hand it is not something to be missed. A&H alumni are lucky to have the special chance to witness Zipris at the first A&H in the City event at The Museum of the City of New York on Saturday, November 7th where Zipris will lead a highlights tour of the Museum before attendees congregate in the Activist New York exhibition for interactive activities with Zipris and TC Social Studies Faculty.
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Zipris leading a group during the Social Activism Conference at the Museum of the City of New York.
“I think these events are a great opportunity to discover where our Teachers College experience has taken us,” Zipris says. “I’m delighted and proud that TC’s first A&H in the City event will be at the Museum. I am personally looking forward to connecting with old classmates and learning what adventures they have been up to as well as making new connections. And as we are the city’s museum it makes perfect sense to kick off the program here!”
Get a preview of Zipris’ knowledge of NYC in this “Archeology of New York” video, and if you are A&H alumni make sure to reserve your spot for A&H in the City: The Museum of the City of New York to meet Zipris in person here: bit.ly/AHCityMCNY
Image may be NSFW.
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Alyson Greenfield is a writer and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Alabama, is the Founder of the Tinderbox Music Festival, and is the Event Producer for the A&H in the City series at Teachers College.