JOB OPPORTUNITY: History Curriculum Developer

Low Bridge, Everyone Down: The Life and Times of Jimmy Brown

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the National Canal Museum are seeking a Curriculum Developer to create lesson plans and educational materials for an upcoming project tied to their graphic novel, Low Bridge, Everyone Down: The Life and Times of Jimmy Brown.

This project will include a microsite that functions as a simple digital reader, paired with downloadable curriculum resources developed in collaboration with the selected curriculum writer.

Scope of Engagement

The Curriculum Developer will identify learning outcomes that align with existing curriculum standards aimed at Middle school, 12-14, 6th-8th grade – PA, NJ, Tristate primary. They will write 8 Lesson Plans (~3,000 words) designed to work within a standard US curriculum. Curriculum will be focused on using the Graphic Novel in the classroom, alongside activities involving the canal boat footage shot on location.

Deliverables

• Participation in a 90-minute virtual focus group session with educators
• A curriculum outline covering all lesson plans and activities
• 8 Lesson plans (~3,000 words in total)

There will be a review point and meeting after each of the deliverable drafts.

Requirements:

The candidate is expected to be working toward or completed a graduate level program in Education and have a depth of knowledge of American history. Specialization in African American history preferred. Candidate must have strong writing skills and demonstrated capacity to translate complex scholarly material into engaging and accessible content for students grades 5-12

Timeframe

June 26th 2026 Applications Due
July 2nd 2026 Curriculum Developer Selected
July ?? 2026 Lesson Plan and Activity Outlines
August ?? 2026 Draft Lesson Plans and Activities
August ?? 2026 Final Lesson Plans and Activities

Compensation

$3000 fixed fee is budgeted for all work, including reasonable revisions.

How to Apply

Interested parties please apply to info@whatscookin.com with the subject: National Canal Museum Curriculum Developer and cc Carolynnb@delawareandlehigh.org. Include resume and relevant writing sample (no more than 500 words).

About Night Kitchen

At Night Kitchen Interactive we craft dynamic digital experiences to engage audiences. For over 20 years we have combined storytelling, design and technology to encourage learning and participation on-site and online. Our clients include the Smithsonian Institution, The New-York Historical Society and The Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

About Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and The National Canal Museum

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (DLNHC) preserves the historic pathway that carried anthracite coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, PA. The organization was established by Congress in 1988 to celebrate our nationally significant story centered on the transport of anthracite coal from the mines of Luzerne and Carbon County to the markets in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia (via Bucks County). The D&L Trail is a multi-use trail spanning over 165 miles from the mountains of northeast Pennsylvania, along rivers and through the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County. In 2017, DLNHC merged with the National Canal Museum to incorporate the archives, museum, canal boat and educational programs into preservation and education efforts. Today, DLNHC and its National Canal Museum is an AAM (American Alliance of Museums) accredited Smithsonian Affiliate and an organization with the ability to connect people to unique experiences in nature and the environment, community and economic impact, health and recreation, history, preservation, and education.