Professional Development Opportunity
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 (CUD).  The participants spend between four and 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 and from tribal schools to participate in the Teacher Ranger Teacher program.

Park Name: Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Mailing Address: Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Building 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123-0022
Park Contact: Aracely Montero and Sherry Guillen
Park Contact Email Address:  aracely_montero@nps.gov and sherry_guillen@nps.gov 
Park Phone Number: 415-561-2813
Projected Dates of Detail:  June 12th – July 30th 
Housing Availability: No Park Housing Available (Local Bay Area Teachers Preferred)
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 240 hours of effort; 160 hours of major educational project, 45 hours of online coursework, discussion, course readings, 35 hours of NPS operational experiences.

Additional Information:   
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS (PAC) programs in Golden Gate National Parks - set in indigenous habitats and historic landmarks, ancient redwood groves and dramatic coastal preserve - actively engage students in inquiry learning about and caring for national parks and their own communities. Designed by park staff, classroom teachers, students, and leaders of community organizations, park education programs encourage student achievement through innovative pedagogy and authentic experiences in the park. The goals and principles of the K-12 program confirm Golden Gate's commitment to inclusive and relevant inquiry-based learning linked to school curricula.

The anticipated project for the TRT will be to develop middle school curriculum for an 8th grade PAC program at Fort Point National Historic Site (NHS). Fort Point NHS has been called "the pride of the Pacific," "the Gibraltar of the West Coast," and "one of the most perfect models of masonry in America." When construction began during the height of the California Gold Rush, Fort Point was planned as the most formidable deterrence America could offer to a naval attack on California. Although its guns never fired a shot in anger, the "Fort at Fort Point" as it was originally named has witnessed Civil War, obsolescence, earthquake, bridge construction, reuse for World War II, and preservation as a National Historic Site.

The opportunity includes shadowing park staff at historical sites within Golden Gate National Parks – mainly Fort Point, the Presidio, and Alcatraz Island (with possibilities to observe natural history sites as well). While participating in operational experiences, the TRT will have the opportunity to participate in Park Ranger tours, short talks, and conduct research at park archives. Teachers who have experience developing social studies curriculum and lessons for middle school students are preferred. 

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:

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 (May-August, depending on park needs)? (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 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: