Traci joins the museum after 18 years of service in the Akron Public School system and most recently as program officer at GAR Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in Akron. Buckner is the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School…Center for STEM Learning and most recently served as Director of Specialty Programs.

She is also an author and has co-authored the book STEM Leadership, a guide on creating a STEM culture in a school or district. Prior to her educational career, she worked in corporate marketing and sales. Buckner has served as a guest panelist at the Athena Leadership Forum, The Ashland University Leadership Academy Seminar, and the Akron Roundtable. She is a member of Leadership Akron and currently serves on the United Way of Summit County Board of Directors. She was featured in Akron Life magazine as one of the city’s 2015 change makers and was a recipient of the Women of STEM Rising Amongst the Stars award from the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus. Buckner received a Master’s in education from John Carroll University and Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from The Ohio State University. She also earned an instructional leadership administrative certificate from Ashland University. She resides in Akron with her husband, Tobin and their two sons.

Tessa is a founding board member of the Akron Children's Museum, driven by her unwavering dedication to fostering innovative learning environments for children. With a diverse range of experience in the education field, including as a classroom teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, director of multiple tutoring centers, and educational consultant, Tessa brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

Tessa holds degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, along with an MBA from the University of Akron. She is a distinguished alumna of Akron Torchbearers, served on the board of Imagine Romig Road Community School, and held the position of President at the Copley-Fairlawn chapter of MOMS Club, a nonprofit organization providing support to at-home mothers. Tessa actively volunteers in her children's schools and at her church, further exemplifying her commitment to serving her community.

Residing in Bath Township with her husband, Ben, and their sons, Grayson and Wesley, Tessa is deeply invested in creating a bright future for her family and the children she passionately advocates for. Her exceptional leadership and tireless efforts make her an invaluable asset to the Akron Children's Museum.

Kat Dunlap has always held a passion for hands-on learning through discovery and exploration. As an alumna of the University of Akron, she began her career as a Middle School science teacher. Kat left classroom teaching in 2015 to join the education team at Holden Arboretum. Working in a diverse outdoor setting cemented Kat’s love for informal learning. From there, her journey in the museum world took her across the country to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where she taught and developed educational programs ranging from Lego Robotics, to Animation, Space Geology, Volcanology, and more.

Kat joined Akron Children’s Museum in 2021. As the head of the education team at ACM, Kat is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of ACM’s educational content and curriculum. In addition, Kat is also responsible for coordinating the Head Start - Mobile Museum in a Box program, as well as the Kindergarten Essential Experiences Field Study: Explore Galore with Monsters and More, for Akron Public Schools. When she’s not at the museum, you can find her outside in all seasons, enjoying the tranquility of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Kat and her family are proud to call Akron their home.

Victoria is a dedicated and enthusiastic non-profit professional. Victoria graduated from Mercyhurst University in 2019 with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Since then, she has worked at various summer camps and after-school centers, where she gained experience working with children of all ages and learning the importance of hands-on play. Victoria also completed two years of AmeriCorps service with Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, where she discovered a love for working in the non-profit sector. She continued to work for Habitat for Humanity for two more years as the ReStore Volunteer Manager developing volunteer appreciation and retention strategies.

Victoria’s passion for community and love of creative learning led her to work with Akron Children’s Museum as the Community Engagement Coordinator. When Victoria is not out in the community chatting about the museum, she can be found hiking outside, hanging with friends, roller skating, or sorting through piles of clothes for vintage outfits at the thrift store.

Susan is a dedicated professional who joined the staff following a career at the Akron Beacon Journal. With a deep-rooted passion for curating exceptional events that leave a lasting impact on attendees, Susan's expertise aligns seamlessly with her role at the Akron Children's Museum. Her unwavering commitment to fostering an enjoyable environment for children and their families makes her a valuable asset to the museum.

Drawing from her vast experience in organizing events for the community and her active involvement in various local organizations, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the museum. She is a proud graduate of the Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron, which further enriches her understanding of the community she serves. Born and raised in Akron, Susan, along with her husband Loman, have two sons and call the vibrant Ellet community their home.

With great enthusiasm, Susan eagerly anticipates the opportunity to connect with families visiting the museum, as they partake in the exceptional events she meticulously plans. Her unwavering dedication and passion for creating memorable experiences will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all those who have the pleasure of engaging with her at the Akron Children's Museum.

Paige has always had a passion for creating and problem-solving. Developing a diverse body of work rooted in lived experiences, she attained her MFA in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling and Textiles from Kent State University in 2020. She began hosting workshops teaching fiber and metal at a local arts center to creatives of all ages. She joined the museum’s Education Team in 2021 and fell in love with non-profit work.

Now the Visitor Experience Team Lead and Facility Manager, Paige lends her diverse skill-set to the museum. Having worked in many different industries and attending skill-shares and workshops, her knowledge and experience in the Arts, fabrication, maintenance, organization and design helps her develop new exhibits keeping the museum space in top form. Her greatest motivation is making the museum a safe and fun place for kids and their families to learn through engaging play. You’ll most often find her out on the museum floor interacting with visitors and installing new exhibit features. 

When not at the museum, you might see Paige at her favorite thrift stores or enjoying the great outdoors foraging, backpacking, and fishing or cuddling with her three cats. She maintains an active studio practice in textiles: spinning and dyeing yarn, and weaving on her loom.