Who Makes Things Happen at The Woodlands Children's Museum? Meet Angela!
12 People Who Make Things Happen for Kids in Houston
Who makes things happen at The Woodlands Children's Museum?
Meet Angela Colton!
The Woodlands Children's Museum
Angela Colton feels that being the Executive Director of The Woodlands Children's Museum allows her the opportunity to start her days with wings. The mission of the museum is to create opportunities that educate, empower, and excite children and their families through play while inspiring a lifelong wonder of discovery. They easily do this by presenting cultural events at the museum, and by providing magical opportunities for children to indulge their curiosity.
What does your job entail?
How did you become involved in working with your organization?Paying attention, always being aware, observing children, encouraging staff to build on a strength or an idea that they have presented without fear of failure, asking permission, asking forgiveness, asking how, late night and early morning reading and, of course, spontaneous switching of left to right brain or right to left brain at any given moment.
I was the program coordinator for youth programs and non-credit leisure classes for continuing education at Lone Star Montgomery for 7 and 1/2 years. Shortly after retiring from the college, the previous executive director and board for The Woodlands Children’s Museum contacted me to consider being part of the museum. And so here I am 5 years later……..
What is the most fun part of your job?
“Seeing” positive differences we have presented in the lives of children and their families, as well as, creating opportunities for staff to spread their wings and wave their magic wands. Opportunities are always there. When the teacher is ready, the pupil will appear. So, I try to be ready.
How did you get started in your field of work?
Serendipity and trying to maintain my focus of where we can make differences for children where others may not or cannot.
What are some of your favorite events at your organization?
Mad Hatter Tea Party because we wear costumes and interact with the children while having tea, decorating cookies and making art projects that reflect the theme. Chinese New Year because the Lion Dancers that visit and perform are so great with the children. It is so entertaining and endearing to watch the children “pet” the dragon like it is real and squeal with excitement when the dragon stops in front of them…..and, of course, Magic Day.
What kind of unusual things have you done in the course of your job there?
Well, I am a “nearly” certified plumber and air-conditioner “expert.” I believe I could possibly also be a concrete floor expert. Consult me before putting in an epoxy floor over your concrete foundation…………
Tell us a little about your life outside of your work?
I was a photographer for 20 years and slowed down with it professionally when the medium turned digital…although now the bug has hit me again. I have lived in Spain for five years, owned and run my own screenprinting business with my husband. Lived in Idaho for 10 years, which anyone that bet this New Orleans native could not split wood, shovel snow and can peaches, certainly lost horribly….that would be my father-in-law, whom I loved dearly.
I am gifted with three wonderfully talented children, two sons and a daughter and am “VaVa” to one 8 year-old grandson and about to have two daughter-in-laws. I am always researching…….something…and want to do more with collage and altered arts.
What other interests do you have in the community?
I am a recluse…but so open to all (who share our same mission) that enter that inquire about how we can do things collaboratively to make a positive difference
Do you have any new events in the upcoming year?
We are planning a Magic at the Museum event that will present magicians, and circus-like entertainment and food in a family style setting at the museum.
Tell us a few fun facts about yourself:
I am a child at heart, believe in Neverland and can see how most adults just do not understand children’s behavior or respect their tenacity for discovery and questioning. It is most important for me to share my belief that the museum is not about ME. It is always about our staff, our volunteers, our board and all the members and visitors that work together and believe in the same passion of making positive differences in the lives of others…positive differences. Without them…I am NOT.
What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for the magical and valuable gift of time given to us by volunteers and consultants. Without this, we could not achieve many of our goals with the attention to detail they demand based on our values. The undocumented time that our loyal and passionate staff give without asking for compensation in order to do more research or make a sample just so that the end result is better than they can imagine is humbling and I am proud to be part of such an inspiring team. I am most grateful for the gifted acquaintances I have made that have always inspired me or left me with something more than I had when I first shook their hand in greeting.
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