Coordinator (Summer) - Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About The Position

Coordinates the daily operation of The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg (BMWTI) and leads a team to provide historically accurate and engaging programs in colonial American history.

Essential Function:

• Coordinates daily operations of the BMWTI including educational programs, classroom space, meals, hotel and transportation reservations, and admission tickets.
• Makes daily operational decisions and directs program staff of interns, peer facilitators, interpreters, and instructors to ensure the highest quality experience for teachers.
• Provides direction and guidance to assigned Intern C.
• Shares feedback and recommendations with the Manager of Program Development on interpretive and program quality.
• Assists with the evaluation of interpretive programs, including review of teacher evaluations throughout the week, and makes recommendations and suggestions to the Manager of Program Development.
• Assists with research for developing new educational materials and instructional strategies for teachers.
• Lead program orientations and wayfinding in the Historic Area to establish historical context and set expectations for participants’ experience.
• Consistently models effective classroom teaching strategies and interpretive techniques throughout BWTI programing.
• Assists the Manager of Program Development in solving problems related to all aspects of BMWTI programs, including logistics, performance issues, and personal concerns among the teachers.
  
  

Expected Hours of Work Per Week:

40 hours per week, primarily during early-May through mid-August. On occasion, additional hours (one to four hours at a time) may be scheduled throughout the rest of the calendar year for required trainings, updates, and program planning.

Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

Required:

• BA in American History, American Studies, Education, or related area.
• Experience in training teachers or historical interpreters.
  
  

Preferred:

• In-depth knowledge of Colonial Williamsburg and its history, programs, and operations
• Past Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute participant or Peer Facilitator
• MA in History or Education
• In-depth knowledge of the colonial and American revolutionary era with demonstrated specialization in related fields
  
  

Qualifications:

• Competencies usually acquired through completion of five years of teaching or interpretive experience.
• Ability to foster collaboration and lead teams.
• Ability to learn quickly or already has detailed knowledge of the Historic Area, Colonial Williamsburg hotels, restaurants, and conference facilities.
• In-depth knowledge of a variety of interpretive techniques and classroom educational strategies.
• Ability to communicate well orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain a cordial and enthusiastic demeanor with teachers and co-workers, handle a variety of customer interactions, effectively address teacher complaints, and balance the needs of the teachers and the organization.
• Ability to solve problems and work independently within a set of guidelines and procedures with general supervision.