My title is the Coordinator of Area of School Programs, which means that I am responsible for running the educational outreach programs for local Washington, DC public schools. There are currently two programs, the DC History Program for third graders and Cathedral Adventures for fourth graders. I also plan and run the Family Saturday Programs once a month.

The DC History Program teaches students about the stories and symbols of DC and American history found at the Cathedral in the stained glass, stone carvings, and needlepoint. This program coordinates with the DC third grade curriculum.

The Cathedral Adventures program is more extensive. Students visit the Cathedral three times, exploring a different theme each visit. Working in small groups, students participate in such activities as measuring chapels, exploring behind the scenes, and interviewing members of the Cathedral staff. The program culminates with a temporary exhibition in the Rare Book Library of student photographs, writings, and drawings about the Cathedral.

Aside from teaching, running both programs involves scheduling all of the classes that come to visit, scheduling and training the volunteers, and making changes to the programs. I’ve just finished writing a new tour script and developing previsit materials for the DC History Program. In addition to ten volunteers, I am currently supervising three interns and the School Programs Assistant. I am also responsible for overseeing the budget for my area, which means tracking all expenses for educational programming.

Currently, I am working with my boss on developing a new program for local high school students. We want to start a program that would have students visit the Cathedral, the Washington Mosque down the street, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation Temple to study the architecture and art of three major world religions. Given what is going on in the world today, I think this is a good opportunity to promote understanding of different cultures.

This is such a great job! I feel like I am getting wonderful teaching and administrative experience in the museum field, plus the building, itself, is simply amazing! I feel very fortunate.