NPS Teacher-Ranger Teacher Program

Teachers can have a positive impact on introducing youths to national parks while earning  graduate school credits and money by applying for the Teacher-Ranger Teacher (TRT) program at San Juan island National Historical Park for the 2015 summer, according to Raena  Parsons, park education specialist.

Applications are available on the park’s website (nps.gov/sajh). Check for the “Teacher Ranger Teacher” quick link on the right column of the home page. The park hopes to have the TRT on board by the end of May, so applicants should not delay, Parsons said. For more details, call her at 360-378-2240, ext. 2222, or e-mail [email protected].

“The primary work for the TRT for 2015 would be to coordinate, with a seasonal ranger, a train-the-trainer workshop on climate change communication,” Parsons said.

We call it “Connecting to Climate: Education Strategies for Effective Climate Change Communication.”

The multi-day workshop was developed for local teachers, informal educators, and interpreters to address communication strategies for climate change. Workshop participants will learn about the psychology of climate change, how to debunk myths without backfire, common emotional responses to climate change, communication strategies, and educational strategies to integrate climate change into multiple disciplines.

The program involves a total of 230 hours of effort, including 160 hours of the major educational project, 45 hours of online coursework, discussion, course readings, 25 hours of NPS operational experiences.  Upon project completion, the TRT receives a check for $3,000 and three graduate credits from the University of Colorado at Denver, Parsons said.

Goals for the TRT program are:

1. Coordinate and implement “Connecting to Climate”
2. Encourage a safe environment for discussing climate change
3. Instill critical thinking skills and abilities
4. Build connections between the National Park and the island
5. Develop a positive relationship between the park and the community
6. Increase community involvement in the management of the park
7. Build a connection between school curriculum and park resources
8. Provide resources and training in 21^stCentury Skills
9. Facilitate an atmosphere of discussion and develop community solutions to climate change (through the workshop)

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