Petroglyph's Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program is an extended professional development program for K-12 educators. The purpose of the TRT program is to provide teachers an opportunity to learn about NPS education resources and themes while earning continuing education graduate credits through a partnership between the NPS and the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver). The selected teacher will spend eight to ten weeks with park service staff to review the current education program then develop new lesson plans, curricula, and/or activities based upon the interpretive themes of the park.
Season: 8-10 weeks; June-August (beginning and ending dates are flexible)
Work Schedule: 32 hours per week (4 days x 8 hours) Teacher may work weekends and holidays.
Housing: Housing is not provided by the park.
Wage: $3,000 upon completion of program and graduate course requirements
Graduate Credit: Three (3) credit hours through University of Colorado-Denver
Uniform: Uniform required and provided by the park
Expected Level of Effort
Successful completion of the TRT program will equal approximately 240 hours of total effort.
- 160 hours of major educational project and lesson plan development- 65%
- 45 hours online coursework- 20%
- 35 hours other NPS operations experience- 15%
Online Graduate Course- CU Denver
The participant is required to enroll and complete the online graduate course in Experiential Learning with CU Denver. Tuition for this course is paid for by the NPS. All graduate course readings, discussion forums and assignments must be fulfilled for the TRT to successfully complete the program and receive the full stipend offered at the end of the program. Following completion of the required course, the TRT may choose to continue their studies with CU Denver online and earn up to six (6) additional graduate credit hours at their own expense resulting in a nine (9) credit hour graduate certificate in place-based education with CU Denver.
Other Requirements
- Training: All TRTs are required to attend an orientation webinar that outlines the program and lesson plan requirements.
- Background Check: If the park requires the TRT to operate government owned vehicles, have unsupervised access to non-public spaces, or have access to DOI network computers a background check on the TRT will be necessary. The park will pay for this background check.
- TRT Uniform: The national TRT program will purchase the TRT logo hat and shirts for the participant.
- TRT Program Evaluation Survey: The TRT is required to complete a course survey administered by CU Denver.
Required Knowledge and Skills
- Proficiency in public speaking and personal communication
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Positive and professional approach to the position
- Experience interacting with the general public and children
- Experience teaching biology, geology, natural science, history, or related fields
Contact Park Ranger Susanna Villanueva at 505.899.0205 x332 or
e-mail us for more information.
