Summer Professional Development Opportunity for Teachers at Obed Wild & Scenic River

Date: April 18, 2016
Contact: Daniel Banks, [phone]
Contact: Christopher Derman, [phone]

Obed Wild and Scenic River is recruiting teachers to participate in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program this summer. The TRT program is a professional development opportunity for K-12 teachers to spend the summer (June 6 through July 18) acquiring new skills in experiential learning through a program provided by a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Colorado at 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 CUD. 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.

Selected teachers will receive $3,000 upon completion of program and graduate course requirements and three graduate credit hours of effort. During the summer, selected teachers will spend at least 160 hours on a major educational project; 45 hours on online coursework, discussion, and course readings; and 25 hours on NPS operational experiences.

Obed Wild and Scenic River is looking for teachers with experience in lesson plan development and who can help create educational experiences in a variety of subject areas. Some possible projects may include: creating an astronomy program, creating virtual field trips, informational packets for teachers and on-line lesson plans and curriculum.

In addition to the major educational project and course work, the TRT will be trained in the field of Interpretation. The TRT will have access to online courses about interpretation and have the opportunity to develop and present an interpretive program to visitors. The TRT will also learn the basic job duties of operating a visitor center, be involved in special events, and understand the concepts of managing an NPS site.

For an application or additional questions, please contact Education Specialist Daniel Banks, [e-mail], [phone]. All applications must be submitted by e-mail and are due Wednesday, April 27, 2016. 

For more information about the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program at Obed Wild and Scenic River or to download an application, go to: https://www.nps.gov/obed/learn/education/teacher-to-ranger-to-teacher.htm.