Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program

Teacher-Ranger explores the alpine tundra with students.

Courtesy NPS

 

The Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program provides opportunities for teachers to connect to the resources in a national park.  Teachers spend the summer working in Rocky Mountain National Park, participating in a variety of duties that suit their interests and the needs of the education program at the 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 Rocky Mountain National Park through an Inter-Governmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement between their own public school district and the National Park Service. This program links Rocky Mountain with teachers from under-served school districts. Teachers spend 8-10 weeks working and living 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, shared housing, and a stipend.

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 Rocky Mountain 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 Rocky Mountain 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 heritage conservation
• Enrich the park visitor experience and the education program through the expertise and programming offered by the teacher-ranger

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 educational or public programs; planning and facilitating summer camp programs; developing educational and interpretive materials and media; providing community outreach; working with other divisions in the park; and assisting with teacher workshops.

To learn more about the T-R-T program, please Click Here for a brochure.

Application Process
We have completed hiring for the 2012 summer season. Please check back at the beginning of 2013 to apply for open positions for the 2013 summer season.

More Information
Contact Mark DeGregorio, Education and Outreach Coordinator, via e-mail or by phone [phone]), for additional information.