White Sands National Monument recruits for Teacher-to-Ranger-to­ Teacher program for summer 2013

Date: January 9, 2013

Contact: Kathy Denton, 575-479-6124. ext. 231

Alamogordo, NM

White Sands National Monument is accepting applications for the 2013 Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) program. This program provides opportunities for teachers to put on the ranger uniform and work for the National Park Service at White Sands National Monument from May 28 to July 19, 2013.

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher program is a nationwide effort designed to offer teachers an opportunity to work for a season as a National Park Service ranger. During this eight-week position at White Sands National Monument, the selected teacher will perform the traditional ranger duties such as nature walks, map talks, informal interpretation on park trails, and staffing the visitor center. During the course of the summer season, the TRT will focus on the revision and expansion of educational curriculum. This will include resources available to teachers on the website and lesson plans highlighting the monument's natural and historic features. 

The goal of the program is to provide a well-rounded experience for the teacher as a park ranger who then imparts that positive experience to students during National Park Week and other appropriate times during the year by developing activities to be used in the classroom. 

White Sands National Monument will sponsor one position during the summer of 2013. The selected teacher will receive five days of interpretative training, receive a $300 per week stipend, and be provided a uniform. RV pad with full hook-ups in the monument is available if the candidate is not from the local commuting area. 

For more information or to apply for the position at the White Sands National Monument, contact Kathy Denton at [phone] ext 231 or by e-mail at: [e-mail]. Applications can be found online at www.nps.gov/whsa/forteachers. The deadline to apply is Thursday, January 31,2013. 

TRT opportunities also exist in New Mexico at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (www.nps.gov/gicl) and Carlsbad Caverns National Park (www.nps.gov/cave). In Texas at Guadalupe Mountains National Park (www.nps.gov/gumo) and Chamizal National Memorial (www.nps.gov/cham). Employment dates may vary with each participating park. For more information on the other opportunities, visit www.nps.gov/learn/trt.