Teacher Advances from High School to Marine Museum

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus

Nothing brings history to life quite like a passionate teacher, and the National Museum of the Marine Corps welcomed a new one to their staff. James Hunniford is the new full-time Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) at the museum.

Hunniford, who previously spent eight years as a social studies teacher at Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge, will now divide his time with three other full-time education professionals employed by the museum who develop and implement educational programming.

The TIR program includes five “traveling trunks” that range from American Colonial times through the Vietnam War.

“As the TIR, I assist in the development of these trunks and working with area schools to bring the programs into classrooms”, said Hunniford. He will also help with both Family and Robotics days. Hunniford is also working with the museum to develop a “Chesty’s Corner,” a special portion of the museum that will be dedicated to children.

“One of my main jobs is to act as a liaison between teachers and the museum…I help develop resources for use in the classroom, prepare for fieldtrips, and assist the groups as they tour. I also work diligently to help provide professional development opportunities for teachers,” said Hunniford. The museum will offer a class on the War of 1812 in November as part of Prince William County Public School’s professional development program.

Hunniford is following up on work implemented by last year’s TIR, Dr. Barbara Daniels, as well. Daniels implemented “An Afternoon at the Museum” to celebrate National Geographic Awareness Week, and an “Art for Wounded Warriors” project and Hunniford will continue those programs in her stead.

As a teacher himself, Hunniford is excited to work with teachers as part of his new position.

“As the school year progresses and teachers move more into long range planning, I look forward to hearing from more of them as they look to the National Museum of the Marine Corps to assist them in offering highly effective world-class learning activities,” he said.