Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society Candidate for Board Director

Ted Williams

Planetarium Director

Methacton School District

Norristown,  Pennsylvania

My planetarium experience centers around 18 years of teaching in a school planetarium, while assisting weekends and evenings for 10 years as a part-time lecturer at the New Jersey State Museum and Planetarium.  I currently volunteer in service as an officer for the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society.  As one of their educators (and web-master), I design and deliver presentations and lessons for their membership and guests regularly in the Fels planetarium at the Franklin Institute.  I have on occasion had the opportunity to be a guest lecturer at the Rose Center Hayden Planetarium for their Celestial Highlights presentation. My experience touches all levels from small dome to large dome.  I have had the opportunity to present under both optical mechanical and virtually projected stars.

 Over the past two years, with input and assistance from your officers, fellow board members, and society members, I helped to develop a re-vitalized website including new initiatives involving mentoring, resources, tools, and a Featured Planetarium page to highlight our facilities.  Our web-site has become the place to turn for up-to-date conference information and related downloadable schedules and forms.  It has become a worthwhile visit throughout the year, not only at conference time.

 Working with colleagues on the MAPS board (and recently with GLPA board members as co-hosts of our last conference) affords me the opportunity for professional growth and enables me to gain a better perspective of what we face in our profession.  It has led me to a collaborative project that GLPA is spear-heading involving the production of a DVD with presentation techniques and tips for the educator.  I see our society endorsing future efforts to assist members in the exchange of ideas and as an avenue to highlight what we do best.

 As one of your web-masters, I truly enjoy putting together the work of fellow professionals into web documents that can assist colleagues and those who are interested in astronomy education.  As a board member, I look forward to the challenges we face in our profession (finding and assisting qualified professionals, technological hurdles, upgrading facilities, funding sources) and the job of how to best serve individuals dedicated to astronomy education.

 Two years ago the membership granted me the privilege of stepping forward in service to our organization.  I am now asking the membership to extend that privilege to allow me to continue in our efforts.  I feel that Steve Mitch stands for all that is professional within our organization. His actions (hosting some of the most memorable and informative conferences I have attended) demonstrate his commitment.  I look forward to an opportunity to work with Steve and Keith, our newly elected officers, and to continue working with our current officers Gloria, Patty and Sam.

 As you consider me for a second term on your board of directors, I want to thank you for the experience you have already granted me serving this amazing organization.  Please consider extending my stay on the MAPS board.  I consider it an honor to serve and represent such an outstanding, dedicated group of professionals.   Thank you.