Gateway National Recreation Area - For Teachers (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS PHOTO

Teacher-Ranger Moran-Kurklen

Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Journal 2009

Follow the journal of Teacher-Ranger Renay Moran-Kurklen as she spends her summer working at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Renay was hired through the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program, which offers teachers a chance to work at select National Parks for eight weeks during the summer. During National Park Week in April, teachers wear their uniform to class and share their experiences with students.

Video still: CSI High School for International Studies

George Kaluski interviews his grandmother, Margaret Kubasczyk, who immigrated from Poland.

Save Our History: Immigrant Reflections From Ellis Island to Staten Island

In the spring of 2008, juniors at the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies conducted oral history interviews with current immigrants to answer that question. The immigrants interviewed in 2008 for this project came from all over the globe—Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe—yet their dreams are very similar to those who were processed at Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954.

The National Parks of New York Harbor Education Center created the year-long project and brought together several partners: the high school, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Save Ellis Island and the College of Staten Island. The project was funded by a grant from the History Channel as part of their Save Our History program, which preserves endangered local history through school projects.

Bring Your Class to Gateway!

Teachers and students can explore most park sites with their students by participating in a variety of ranger-guided programs and self-guided field trips. For some programs, advance participation in a teacher workshop is required prior to the class visit. Professional development opportunities are available at the National Parks of New York Harbor Education Center. Here teachers can earn new teacher and g and p credits by participating in courses focusing on place-based learning in New York City's National Park sites.

Sandy Hook has many educational opportunities in both natural and cultural history. They are online, classroom based and in park.

Other programs for children and families, such as the Junior Ranger Program and Web Rangers, are described on our For Kids page.