Teacher-Ranger-Teacher
The Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program provides opportunities for teachers to connect to the resources in a national park. Teachers develop lesson plans based on their park experience for use in the classroom and parks. The program focuses on teachers from schools with ethnically diverse student populations, who have had little or no experience with national parks or limited opportunity to explore the relevance parks can have in their lives and the lives of their students.
Program Background
Classroom teachers are detailed as park rangers to Congaree National Park through an Inter-Governmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement between their own public school district and the National Park Service. Teachers spend 8 weeks working in the park. They perform various duties depending on their interests and the needs of the park. During this time, the park provides a ranger uniform and a stipend ($300/week).
Once they return to their schools, teacher-rangers bring national parks into the classroom throughout the school year. During National Park Week in April, teacher-rangers wear their NPS uniform to school and engage students and other teachers in activities that relate to Congaree and other NPS sites.
Benefits
To Teacher-Rangers:
- Obtain a wide range of new knowledge and skills by working with park staff and partners
- Enhance their curriculum in multiple content areas
- Gain access to a wide array of teaching resources and tools
- Begin or extend a life-long personal connection with national parks
To Schoolchildren:
- Provide an opportunity to connect to their nation's heritage in new and creative ways
- Learn about the possibilities for volunteering and paid employment with the National Park Service
- Receive new tools and resources for exploring natural and cultural history
To Congaree National Park:
- Opportunity to reach new or under-served audiences
- Build a network of enthusiastic, knowledgeable educators who are able to teach their students and colleagues about the ethics and issues of conservation
- Enrich the park visitor experience through the programming and visitor service offered by the teacher-ranger
To National Park Partners:
- Serve partner missions or interests to promote the understanding, protection, and conservation of Congaree National Park
- Participate in and assess outreach efforts by park partners
- Strengthen collaborative relationship with NPS
Potential Park Experiences
Future TRT assignments and projects will depend upon the individuals hired and current park projects. Training in natural and cultural history and the National Park Service mission will be provided. Duties may include observing, preparing, and presenting public programs; staffing the visitor center; roving interpretation; assisting with field research; evaluating school programs; providing community outreach; and working with other divisions in the park.
Learn more about Congaree's TRT duties in the position description.
Application Process
Park TRT information is posted here and disseminated through teacher list serves. Teachers apply directly to the park by completing the application form below. Hiring is usually completed in early spring.
Application
- PDF (42kb)
More Information
Email Senior Interpretive Specialist Lauren Gurniewicz or call 803-647-3969.
A list of parks participating in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program is available on the Wupatki National Monument website.
