Place-based education program assistant with Teaching the Hudson Valley
THV is based at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park, in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley. It is a program of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Greenway Conservancy with offices in Albany, NY; the Hudson River Estuary Program, of New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation with offices in New Paltz, NY, and Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Our service are includes the 11 counties of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Teaching the Hudson Valley (THV) is an innovative, interdisciplinary, place-based education program. By providing grants, professional development, and resources, THV aims to help K-12 teachers and informal educators discover, appreciate, and share the region's natural, historic, and cultural treasures with children and youth. We also foster collaboration among schools, environmental groups, museums, parks, historic sites, libraries, and others. A key goal is to give students the appreciation, knowledge, and skills to be the stewards of tomorrow.Qualities and skills we need:
- Effective oral communication
- Familiarity with or interest in Hudson Valley environment, culture, and/or history
- Self-reliance, resourcefulness, and flexibility
- Experience with online tools, social networks, and digital media
- Excellent writing skills
- Well organized with keen attention to detail
- Desire to learn and take initiative
- Willingness to accept constructive feedback/guidance
Qualities and skills that are a plus:
- Knowledge of or experience with teachers, environmental educators, or museum staff
- Research skills
- Experience with html, WordPress, Joomla, video, photography, blogging, and/or Facebook pages
Job description. This is primarily a networking, promotional, and coordinating postion. It involves planning events, writing for print and the web, and learning about the day-to-day functioning of a small program attempting to reach a large audience. Specific tasks will depend on the successful applicant’s interests and skills, however, during the internship period THV will be involved in:(1) A three-day professional development program for teachers and site staff, “Place-Based Learning and the Common Core," July 30-August 1, featuring workshops and field experiences designed to encourage teaching about the region’s environment, culture, and history in light of changing expectations. The assistant may be involved in every aspect of publicizing, preparing for, running, and following up from the institute.(2) A course on "Using Primary Sources to Teach the Hudson Valley," July 8-11. THV is working on this program with the Southeastern NY Library Resources Council using a grant from the Library of Congress. The assistant may be involved in every aspect of publicity, preparation, coordination, and follow up.(3) The National Day on Writing, which THV participates in each fall, awarding field trips to at least three students. The assistant may help recruit co-sponsors, encourage teachers to participate, review rubrics, develop promotional materials, etc.(4) Resource development and dissemination. THV’s free on-line library includes 60 instructional units with more than 250 lessons and activities developed primarily by teachers and site staff within our network. We also publish occasional original material. The assistant may be involved in soliciting, reviewing, developing, and/or promoting such materials.(5) Website upkeep and expansion.(6) Possible independent project. Assistants may propose an outreach, research, or publication project to be completed during the internship period. The project must be consistent with THV's overall aims and be approved.
