TRT benefits

2014 Coolidge Examiner Newspaper photograph

Coolidge Examiner

Professional Development Opportunity- Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT)

For current teachers in the local area, extra weight given to schools with large populations of American Indian students. We are recruiting at multiple schools in Pinal County and would like to have multiple schools and school districts involved. All teachers (must be a teacher and eligible for Graduate Credit work) encouraged to apply.

Starts: June (flexible dates) Ends: September (flexible dates before September 15)

Why apply?

·3 graduate continuing education credits through University of Colorado, Denver (CU Denver)

·Engage in parks and with park resources

·Develop at least one lesson to be used in your classroom or school

·Assist the park with an education project

·Increase your understanding of place-based learning

·While participating in the program, teachers are considered "student interns" through CU Denver.

·Link with teachers across the nation.

·$3000 stipend paid at the conclusion of the program (once project has been submitted). All compensation to the TRT will be the responsibility of CU Denver.

·CU Denver will issue the TRT an IRS income tax statement. The TRT will be responsible for paying income taxes on the program compensation from CU Denver.

Why the park is doing this:

·To increase the quality and variety of educational offerings to students interested in Casa Grande Ruins and engage teachers in developing a high quality curriculum based program.

·TRT is the centerpiece of a larger NPS Teacher Corps concept. The NPS Teacher Corps is an umbrella concept that incorporates all of the ways that educators interact with the NPS.

·Teachers will develop the programs they would like to see offered at Casa Grande Ruins.

·Teachers will develop the materials they would like students to use, and materials they can use in the classroom as pre or post visit lessons.

What is involved

·The TRT will equal approximately 230 hours of effort. Most of this can be completed at the time and place most convenient to the participant (at home, at school, or at the park)

·The park-based project will use 160 hours of effort or about 70% of the time.

·Up to 15 percent of your time (approximately 35 hours) experiencing park operations, working with the public, and learning about the work of the different divisions within a park. This would be at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coolidge, Arizona.

·Up to 15 percent of the remaining time (approximately 35 hours) will be spent in field trips or other training opportunities.

What is required:

TRT application and signed statement of support from your Principal or school administration.

You must participate in the on-line class through the University of Colorado (paid by the park) to achieve the credits and be paid the stipend. You may take this class at home or at work.

The class requires a final project. That project will be two parts.
----Part one is a series of 3 lesson plans (pre-visit, post-visit, on-site activities) covering the topic of your choice related to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Unusual topics such as economics, night sky, soundscape studies, agriculture, and engineering are welcome and encouraged. Teachers skilled in Special Education are especially welcome.
----Part two is a project to benefit the general public and can include games, video, scavenger hunts, or whatever the TRT envisions.

What is desired:

Experience working with minority students, especially Native American students

Experience with or willing to learn computer programs such as PowerPoint, Word, etc.

Creativity in presenting topics to children!