Rocky's Teacher in Residence Program

Two uniformed rangers stand side to side with teacher on a snowy hill with students in the background




The Teacher in Residence program provides opportunities for teachers to have rich work experiences in a national park. Teachers return to the classroom and share their experiences and knowledge of these American treasures with children while national park education curriculum benefits from their expertise.


Program Background
Teachers in Residence spend two weeks working alongside the Education and Outreach team at Rocky Mountain National Park primarily focusing on experiencing park resources, updating field trip curriculum and creating new activities for use in the park and for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Dates of Service
Negotiable: 2 consective weeks from June - August
Plan on investing 40 hrs/week, and using your own computer equipment.

Benefits
To Teachers:

  • 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
  • Volunteer uniform hat, shirt and jacket provided
  • Stipend upon residency completion: $800

To Schoolchildren:

  • Provide an opportunity to connect to their nation's heritage in new and creative ways
  • Learn about volunteering and employment with the National Park Service
  • Receive new tools and resources for exploring natural and cultural history

To Rocky Mountain National Park:

  • Reach new or under-served audiences
  • Build a network of enthusiastic, knowledgeable educators who are able to teach their students and colleagues about National Parks
  • Enrich the park visitor experience and the education program through the expertise and programming offered by the Teacher in Residence

Qualifications
Rocky Mountain National Park seeks teachers of exceptional ability who think and act creatively, have demonstrated communication and problem solving skills, and are fully computer literate.

Candidates must be dedicated to and experienced with learner-centered education with children.

All teachers are welcome to apply. Teachers in the local commuting area who attend or are able to attend RMNP ranger led field trips with their classrooms will have preference. Multiple positions are typically hosted each summer.

Duties & Responsibilities
Each teacher will review and create or update content stations for existing or potential field trips to RMNP. Complete reviews will include: grade level standards alignment, grade level appropriateness, activities, and content. Ideally, program outlines will be updated and new, interactive, hands-on activities for the learning stations that best build off of classroom learning will be developed.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a letter of intent by email. This letter would include what you hope to accomplish in this residency, if you have any field trip experience with Rocky so far, and what value would be added to your classroom by this experience. A general resume is helpful but optional.

Application Deadline: Positions are open until filled.

Email application to: RMNP_Education_Rangers@nps.gov with the subject line "Teacher in Residence Application"

More Information
For more information, e-mail us.

Last updated: March 12, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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