Teacher Ranger Maria Balderas at San Antionio Missions National Historic Park in Texas. Behind her is San Juan Misson.

Welcome to the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher website for teachers.

Why have Teachers in Parks?
National parks enrich the lives of many in this nation. They provide access to the powerful ideas, values, and meanings associated with the remarkable cultural, natural, and recreational heritage of the United States. The National Park Service (NPS) strives to provide opportunities for all Americans to connect to their national heritage through the national parks. However, these opportunities are lacking for some — often due to a variety of social and economic factors.

The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program offers a solution, by linking National Park units with teachers from Title 1 (30% of students on free or reduced cost lunch) school districts. Teacher Rangers form a link between school children and National Parks.

What would I do?
Under TRT, selected teachers spend a summer working as uniformed park rangers, often living in the park. They perform various duties depending on their interests and the needs of the park, including developing and presenting interpretive programs for the general public, staffing the visitor center desk, developing curriculum-based materials for the park, or taking on educational projects.

Then, during the school year, these Teacher Rangers bring the park resources "into the classroom" by developing and presenting curriculum-based lesson plans that draw on their summer’s experience. In April, during National Park Week, Teacher Rangers wear the NPS uniforms to school, discuss their summer as a park ranger, and engage students and other teachers in activities that relate to America’s national parks.

TRT is made possible through an Inter-governmental Personnel Act Agreement (IPA) between the public school district and the National Park Service. The TRT program began in 2003 and in 2007 became a national program.  During the summer of 2008, parks nationwide had over 90 Teacher Rangers learning about America's national heritage and teaching park visitors about the natural and cultural resources of their park.

Which parks have TRT vacancies and how do I apply for TRT work?
To find out about TRT work opportunties for Summer 2009, click on the more link on the upper right side of this page.   ⇒     ⇒     ⇑

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. Can I bring family members? Can I bring my pet?

Contact the park directly, each park has different housing arrangements and in some cases can accept family members or pets. One solution could be that you bring your own trailer and the park provides a trailer pad to accommodate your needs.

2. Can a private school be part of the program?

Yes, if the school is a non-profit (501c3 – tax exempt). As long as it is non-profit the park service can sign an agreement with the school.

3. How much is the pay?

The supplemental pay is usually $300 per week for 8 to 10 weeks of service. Ask the park contact listed provided with each ad.

4. The park I want to work at has no position advertised for a TRT this summer. What should I do?

If you are interested in working at a park which does not have an ad posted for TRT, feel free to contact their Chief of Interpretation and Education directly. Use www.nps.gov to locate park contact phone numbers and email addresses. Ask to be connected to the Chief of Interpretation and Education.

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If, after you have read both TRT webpages thoroughly, you still have questions you may call Diana Truman Wiggam at 303-969-2404 or email e-mail us.

School District Flier. (8 1/2" x 14") (PDF)

Teacher Newsletter Winter 07-08
(8 1/2" x 11") (PDF)

Teacher Newsletter Spring 08
(8 1/2" x 11") (PDF)