Teacher Professional Development

Professional Development for Teachers

Everglades National Park is proud to employ team teaching for its education programs! Browse below to learn more about professional development opportunities for teachers and educators.

 

Teacher Workshops

In order to prepare teachers to assist with programming, teachers are required to attend a workshop prior to bringing their students on a ranger-guided program.

Register for a Teacher Workshop and Education Program

Register for a teacher workshop when registering for your 2023 - 2024 School Year Programs (Program Registration Form will open in mid-August of 2023). Simply select a workshop date when registering, and a member of the education team will reach out to confirm your program and workshop registration.

 

Teacher Workshop Dates

Royal Palm & Shark Valley Day Program Teacher Workshop

Royal Palm Day and Shark Valley Tram Program Teacher Workshop Dates

• TBD

Workshop Details

Details below are general and are subject to change.

• When: 2023 -2024 Teacher Workshop Dates TBD
• How to Sign Up: Select the date you would like to attend the workshop when registering for your school group on our registration form. (2023-2024 Program Registration Form will open in mid-August of 2023)
• Where: In-Person at either location (specific locations and details will be sent once teachers register)
  • Royal Palm (40001 SR 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034)                                                       
  • Shark Valley (36000 SW 8 ST, Miami, Florida 33194)
• Who: Groups interested in bringing students to the Royal Palm or Shark Valley programs must have 2 teachers who have attended a teacher workshop or program in the last 2 years. 
• Time: Generally 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM. (Subject to change - once teachers register, we will send the schedule closer to the workshop date.)
• Cost: No cost! Our programs are generously funded through our friends groups, The Alliance for Florida's National Parks and the Peacock Foundation Inc.
• Questions? Call the education team at 305-242-7753.

Hidden Lake & Loop Road Camping Program Teacher Workshops

Hidden Lake and Loop Road Camp Program Teacher Workshop Date

• TBD in December 2023

Workshop Details

Details below are general and are subject to change.

• When: TBD
• How to Sign Up: Select the date you would like to attend the workshop when registering for your school group on our registration form. (2023 - 2024 Program Registration Form will open in mid-August of 2023)
• Where: In-Person at either location (specific locations and details will be sent once teachers register)
  • Hidden Lake Camp (40001 SR 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034)                                         
  • Loop Road Camp (ADJACENT TO: 68 Loop Rd Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL 34141)
• Who: Groups interested in bringing students to the Hidden Lake or Loop Road camp programs must have 1 teacher who has attended a teacher workshop or program in the last 2 years. 
• Time: Generally 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM. (subject to change - once teachers register, we will send the schedule closer to the workshop date.)
• Cost: No cost! Our programs are generously funded through our friends groups, The Alliance for Florida's National Parks and the Peacock Foundation Inc.
• Questions? Call the education team at 305-242-7753.

HM-69 Nike Missile Base Day Program (In-Person)

Nike Missile Base (In-Person) Program Teacher Workshop Date

• TBD

Workshop Details

Details below are general and are subject to change.

• When: TBD
• How to Sign Up: Select the date you would like to attend the workshop when registering for your school group on our registration form. (2023 - 2024 Program Registration Form will open in mid-August of 2023)
• Where: In-Person (specific locations and details will be sent once teachers register)
  • HM-69 Nike Missile Base (40001 SR 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034)                                  
• Who: Groups interested in bringing students to the IN-PERSON Nike Missile Base program must have 1 teacher who has attended a teacher workshop or program in the last 2 years. 
• Time: Generally 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM. (subject to change - once teachers register, we will send the schedule closer to the workshop date.)
• Cost: No cost! Our programs are generously funded through our friends groups, The Alliance for Florida's National Parks and the Peacock Foundation Inc.
• Questions? Call the education team at 305-242-7753.

 

Benefits of Teacher Workshops

• Workshops familiarize new teachers with program opportunities, logistics, and safety considerations.
• Park staff provide background knowledge and demonstrate activities that can be done in the classroom for pre- and post-site education.
• The park works with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to provide professional development credit and can verify participation for teachers from other counties.
• Workshops are typically scheduled on Miami-Dade County teacher work days or on weekends.
• When registering for a ranger-led program, be sure to indicate if you need to take a teacher workshop; rangers will contact you to sign you up.

Teachers Without Scheduled Programs

Teachers are welcome to attend workshops even if they are not planning on bringing students to the park this year. To register for a workshop without a scheduled program, e-mail us with your name, school, grade level, phone number, and the workshop you wish to attend.

 

Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program

Accredited teachers have the opportunity to work as a “real” park ranger for Everglades National Park. Successful candidates will receive training, a weekly stipend, and a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher uniform. This is an eight-week commitment, at 40 hours per week. Total stipend is paid in one lump sum at the end of the summer. Some weekend work may be required.

 

Program Details

The Summer 2022 Application Process has closed. Thank you for your interest!

Eligibility

Before applying, be sure that you meet these basic requirements:

• You are a state-accredited teacher.
• You are available to work this summer for 8 weeks, 40 hours/week.
• You have the support of your administrator to conduct in-school programs during National Park Week.
• You understand that you will be working in a hot and humid environment with high insect populations.
• You are a motivated and flexible individual who is eager to learn more about South Florida’s National Parks.

Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Duties

Start as a "Ranger"

As a National Park Ranger you will have the opportunity to work on various projects and activities, including: interacting with park visitors, leading guided walks, conducting talks and Junior Ranger activities, staffing a visitor center, assisting fire management, and writing and reviewing environmental education curriculum.

End as a Teacher

When you return to your classroom, you will share your first-hand experiences and newly acquired resources and knowledge. During National Park Week in April, you are expected to present programs in uniform to your class and/or the entire school as a representative of the National Park Service. 

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest! - Summer 2022 Applications are no longer being accepted. 

Required Materials

The application requires basic information, three references, and four narratives. Please have a résumé or curriculum vitae ready to email the Director of Education. Applications will be reviewed in a competitive selection process by a committee of National Park Service staff.

For questions about the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Program, please contact the Everglades Education Office by phone at 305-242-7860 or 305-242-7753 or by email. 

 

Questions?

Please contact us to register or for more information about professional development opportunities for educators.