McLean County Times

Katie Keller has been appointed as the new director of education at the Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, Illinois, with her tenure beginning on September 2. The announcement was made by Beth Whisman, executive director of the museum.

“The Museum is excited to welcome Katie to this role on our team,” said Whisman. “We believe she will be a great fit and a wonderful addition to our pool of experience and knowledge of informal education and the power of play.”

In her new position, Keller will oversee curriculum development, recruit educators for programs, update staff on changes in educational standards, and provide input on exhibit design from an educational perspective. She will also coordinate with public schools, homeschool groups, and special needs programming while working with community partners to streamline efforts.

“I’ve approached my work believing that learning should first and foremost be fun,” said Keller. “When participants are having fun in an educational environment, it is a transformational experience that has the power to remain with them. These unforgettable moments are what the Children’s Discovery Museum is all about.”

Keller brings over 15 years of experience as an interpreter and environmental educator with the National Park Service. Her background includes collaboration with various communities, leadership roles in staff development, program creation focused on place-based learning, and success in securing grant funding.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban & regional planning from The University of Illinois and a master’s degree in environmental education & interpretation from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Throughout her career across different regions—including recent service at National Parks in St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands), Isle Royale National Park (Michigan), and Keweenaw National Historic Park (Michigan)—Keller has promoted environmental standards.

Her achievements have been recognized through awards such as the Freeman Tilden Award for excellence in interpretation for her work on the “Isle Royale Stay Wild” project and recognition by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain David P. Dobbins Award for outstanding action during a search and rescue mission.

A native of McLean County who attended Unit 5 schools and began higher education at Heartland Community College, Keller expressed enthusiasm about returning to serve the Bloomington-Normal area.