News Release

Professional Development Opportunity

Date: March 15, 2018
Contact: Kathy McKay, 864-461-2828

Professional Development Opportunity
Do you know anyone who always wanted to be a Park Ranger? The Teacher Ranger Teacher program is a professional development opportunity for K-12 teachers to spend the summer acquiring new skills in experiential learning through a program provided by a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Colorado Denver (CU-D). http://teacherrangerteacher.org/ The participants spend between five to six weeks in a NPS unit developing a major educational project and participating in an online graduate course from CU- Denver. The goal of the program is to train teachers in the resources and themes of the NPS so that they can return to their schools in the fall and incorporate their new skills into their classroom activities. NPS aims to especially reach students from underserved schools and districts by recruiting teachers from Title 1, urban or rural schools to participate in the Teacher Ranger Teacher program. Preference will be given to 3^rd, 4^{th ,} and 8^th grade teachers in the local area.

Park Name: Cowpens National Battlefield
Mailing Address: 338 New Pleasant Road, Gaffney, SC 29341
Park Contact: Kathy McKay
Park Contact Email Address: e-mail us and phone number 864-461-2828
Park Phone Number:  864-461-2828 x2113
Projected Dates of Work: June 11- July 27, 2018 (the work dates are flexible as long as all work - twenty 8hr works days in the park and the final project – is completed by August 15). You will be working in the park for the majority of the hours.
To Apply:  fill out and submit your completed application and resume to e-mail us by March 31, 2018.
Stipend: $3000.00 upon completion of program and graduate course requirements
Graduate Credit: 3 graduate credit hours through University of Colorado-Denver
Program Hourly Requirements: Total of 230 hours of effort; 160 hours of major educational project in the park which will include 25 hours of NPS operational experiences, 45 hours of online coursework, discussion, course readings, and 25 hours of work on your own to develop final project.
Additional Information: Selected teacher will be provided orientation to the park and an opportunity to shadow park staff (including 8 hours at the park’s information desk working with park visitors). Primary duties will be: Develop lesson plans, website materials and activities that utilize this park and 3 other Southern Campaign sites to help teachers meet educational requirements. Work with Park Rangers to develop/present curriculum-based education programs for elementary school groups that will help students succeed on the PASS test. Web authoring skills, social media skills, and/or a specialty in lesson plan development would be exceptionally helpful. The selected teacher will have the opportunity to complete a lesson plan in the area of their interest.
In order to use National Park Service computers and internet access, the selected teacher must complete and pass an in-depth federal background check (this can take 6-8 weeks). If the selected teacher can provide their own laptop and wi-fi connection, this will not be required.

Application
Applicant Name:
Home Address:
Home/Cell Phone:
Email Address:

Applicant’s School Name:
School District/State:
School Address:
School Phone:
Grade level and subject(s) taught:

Please attach a resume to this application, if you have one available.
 

1. Do you teach at a Title I school? (please circle)     No       Yes      If yes, what percentage of your students qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Lunches?

2. Can you commit to approximately 4-6 weeks of time (230-240 hours) during the summer season (June-August 1, 2016)? (please circle)       No       Yes

 

3. Describe your most effective unit or lesson plan that actively engaged students in learning. Why was it successful?

 

4. Why do you want to participate in Teacher Ranger Teacher?

 

5. How will you use your TRT experience to enrich your classroom teaching and create opportunities for your students to connect to the National Park system?

 

6. How will you share information and skills acquired through this experience with your school and district colleagues?

 

7. Describe your familiarity and experiences with local, state or national parks.

Please provide your resume and information for two professional references:

Reference 1:
Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Relationship to applicant:

Reference 2:
Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Relationship to applicant: