Churn butter, make soap, mold candles and teach children all with Haverford’s Living History positions
Have you ever wished you lived in Colonial times? Do you long to don the wardrobe of your ancestors, teaching the practices handed down for generations? Currently, such an opportunity exists and, no, a time machine is not required.
Instead, you could opt to serve what the Haverford Township Historical Society calls an “urgent need” and apply to become a teacher guide for the Living History program. With locations at Nitre Hall/Lawrence Cabin and the Federal School, guides will work with fourth and fifth grades in the The School District of Haverford Township.
According to a post from the society of Facebook, teacher guides help students by “leading them in full day, hands-on activities.”
“Applicants should enjoy working with students and do not need to have prior teaching experience,” said the post. “Extensive training is provided, and most classes take place during October, April, and May.”
Interested applicants can apply online via the listing in Job Openings on the School District of Haverford Township website. The position is listed as “Colonial Living/Federal School,” and can be found here.
The Colonial Living/Federal School is “a living history program” for the fourth and fifth grade classes within the school district.
“It takes place at Nitre Hall and Lawrence Cabin on Karakung Drive in Havertown,” said the job description. “Guides wear provided colonial garb, and lead one class per scheduled day through the chores and activities that children did in the early 18th and 19th centuries.”
Some of the activities involved in the living history program include:
- sawing and splitting wood
- fetching water
- cast iron stove and open-hearth cooking
- candle dipping
- soap making
- butter churning.
“Guides also lead students on tours of Nitre Hall and Lawrence Cabin,” said the job listing on Haverford’s “SchoolSpring” site. “[Applicants] must like to work outside.”
While, knowledge of early U.S. History and local history is preferred, all hired teacher guides will be fully trained.
Those hired for the position typically work between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., for an average total of 5.5 hours per day. Teacher guides will work anywhere from 4 to 20 days during the fall and spring sessions. The salary is set at $16.61 per hour.
“As necessary, a separate email will be sent with a link and access code to comply with the Act 168 Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure release forms,” said the job listing. “If applicable, you will have to provide email addresses for both current and prior employers.”
For more information on the role, apply online to Job ID 5327701. Applications are due into the district by Feb. 28.
