The Early Childhood faculty gathered to celebrate Dr. Michael Barla’s contributions to the program area and School of Education and Human Development. After four years in the SEHD, Michael will resign at the end of summer to pursue new opportunities and live a wonderful life in New Mexico.
The faculty met at the Clyfford Still Museum (CSM) to experience the exhibition, Clyfford Still, Art, and the Young Mind. As shared by Nicole Cromartie, Education Director (pictured in the photo on the far right, “Michael played a critical role in the development of what would become the exhibition. He was an early supporter of the project, helping build CSM’s confidence into the uncharted territory of early learning and collaboration with young children in exhibition development for the Museum. CU Denver’s School and Education and Human Development joined as an official thought partner for the exhibition thanks to our relationship with Michael. He, alongside other thought partners and a four-year-old, conducted a site visit to CSM to help us identify how the facilities and holistic Museum experience could be more welcoming for visitors. Michael met with the curatorial and education departments regularly over the course of two and a half years providing insight on how to make the Museum more accessible and welcoming for all children and families, he gently and kindly pushed us to consider schools that aren’t often invited to the table and non-traditional learning environments and family structures. Michael also provided a powerful professional development session for our museum education team entitled, ALL: Honoring the Uniqueness of ALL Children and co-presented a session at the 2022 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference.”
For those interested in seeing Young Minds, please visit the CSM before it closes on August 6. A preview, including video, can be seen on the CSM website.