Herbert Hoover National Historic Site - Professional Development (U.S. National Park Service)

A female park ranger administers an oath to a new Junior Ranger.

Kris Bergren

Teacher-Ranger Kris Bergren (left) swears in a new Junior Ranger during Hooverfest in 2008.

Teacher to Ranger to Teacher

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program connects National Parks with teachers from Title 1 (30% of students on free or reduced cost lunch) school districts. Teacher-Rangers help National Parks reach students from underserved communities and develop the next generation of park stewards.

Now accepting applications

Herbert Hoover NHS is now accepting Teacher-Ranger applications for 2010. Applicants must:

Be employed as teachers in Title 1 (30% of students on free or reduced-cost lunches) schools or school districts through 2011.
Live within commuting distance of West Branch, Iowa (the park cannot offer housing in 2010).
Be available to work part-time for up to 8 weeks in the summer of 2010.

To apply, download the TRT job description and application form. After reading the job description, answer all questions on the TRT application form, sign, date, and return. Attach additional pages if necessary. Teachers must also submit the signed and dated principal approval form and a letter of recommendation from a colleague.

Applications are due by January 4, 2010. Mail completed applications to:

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Program
PO Box 607
West Branch, IA 52358

For more information, contact Adam Prato at (319) 643-7855.

Teachers interested in the program at other National Parks may check the listings of parks participating in the TRT Program.

A ranger in an elementary school classroom.

Kristen Bergren

Teacher-Ranger Kristen Bergren incorporates National Parks into her third grade curriculum with an annual National Park Fair for students.

Our Teacher-Ranger

Kristen Bergren, a third-grade teacher in the Moline, Illinois school district, is the Teacher-Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site for the 2008-2010 school years.

Among her summer ranger duties, Mrs. Bergren created the HEHO! Activity Worksheets for Educators and Students (PDF file, 1.30 MB), a package of pre-visit and post-visit activities for classes planning field trips to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. She also wrote National Park Fair: Kids Teaching Kids about our National Parks (PDF file, 1.13 MB), a guide for inspiring students and their families to discover America's best idea: our national parks.