GA instructor reported an NMAC while flying a high wing tail wheel aircraft. Descending to enter the CTAF traffic pattern immediate evasive action was needed to avoid an aircraft that was climbing through the instructor's flight path.

Narrative

Flying VFR back to my home airport in Aircraft X. This is an older tailwheel airplane with limited electrical availability so no ADSB in or out. We were breaking in a cylinder so we were constantly monitoring the oil pressure and the oil temp.We were leaving our VFR cruise altitude of 3500 feet and descending to set up for a 45 entry to our home base traffic pattern at ZZZ. We had listened to the local AWOS and was monitoring the CTAF; getting ready to call 7 miles out. We did not hear anyone nor did we see anyone leave. Visibility was great. I had been flying the return trip; but asked my husband in the back seat to take over and land as I had been flying all day and needed a break. He took the stick and I looked down for only a few seconds to scan the instruments and gauges. When I looked up; there was an airplane right in from of me - I could see faces; wheels; etc; and it looked like they were slightly climbing; so I instinctively pushed the stick forward and dove - which scared my husband who started yelling; but he then saw the other airplane. My husband is also a pilot with over 10;000 hours of GA experience; and 51 years of flying. It scared us both - I actually cringed when I pushed the stick forward because I thought we were going to hit them and expected to feel an impact. We think they saw us at that point because they turned back toward us. They were a low wing and we are a high wing. No one did anything wrong; but it is an example of serious need to SEE AND AVOID as head on gives you zero time. I was looking and scanning even though I was not controlling the stick; and looked down for maybe 7 or 8 seconds; but it was enough to make a huge difference.Normally we fly with an ADS-B receiver connected to our phone; but the phone had dropped to the floor and we couldn't reach it. Although ADS-B is great and maybe it would have helped us see them sooner; it would not help them see us; so I can only say how important it is to be diligent and look outside.