Born and raised in Philadelphia, I left at eighteen to study Anthropology at Boston University, graduating magna-cum-laude with a BA. I continued on for an advanced degree in psychology from Michigan State University. My schedule was enriched through the years by five wonderful children and eight grandchildren.
Career: In 1972 I founded and built Impression 5 Science Museum. The successful museum is now a permanent an icon in the Lansing ,Michigan. I moved on to Portland, Oregon in 1985 to run the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. During a ten year stewardship, I moved the small museum to a prominent waterfront site, spearheading construction of a 225,000 sq. ft. science center, with large screen theater, submarine, planetarium, and restaurants. Educational programs, science camps, teacher training workshops and building traveling exhibitions are now known worldwide.
In 1995 with the help of 22 museums I founded Informal Education Products publisher of the Museum Tour Catalog, in order to bring quality educational toys to discerning parents throughout the country.
In 2011, my husband and I adopted a homeless teen and spent the next four years helping him overcome his dysfunctional past. Many recent writings have been influenced by this experience. Over the Peanut Fence was inspired by this wonderful boy.
My philosophy was influenced by education giants such as Maria Montessori, A.S. Neil, Jean Piaget, Howard Gardner, John Holt and Jonathan Kosol. These men and women introduced concepts of childhood developmental stages, multiple intelligence, home-schooling, child-centered learning and equality in education.
Other Influences: My life has been molded by the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the psychedelics of the 60s, love-ins, the cold war, times of economic prosperity and those of despair. These influences have contributed to the writings and art that I share in my books and blogs.
Art: Paintingis anongoing passion and can be enjoyed on my website eichingerfineart.com.
My company was sold 2013, and I now devote my time to writing, painting, traveling the world and enjoying my extended family and two children African, immigrant parents who call me grandma.