Sleeping Bear Dunes NPS seeking Teacher-Ranger-Teacher

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) is recruiting a virtual Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) to spend the summer collaborating with rangers to develop education programs.

The TRT program is a professional development opportunity. K-12 teachers spend the summer building skills in experiential learning. This program is a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Colorado Denver. TRTs spend four to six weeks working with a NPS unit developing a major educational project and completing an online graduate course from the University of Colorado Denver.

The 2023 TRT will create activities and program materials as part of the National Lakeshore’s new night sky curriculum for 4th and 5th grade. The project and coursework should equal approximately 240 hours of effort by the TRT. The participant will receive a living expenses stipend upon completion.

The position will be virtual, with the TRT conducting their work remotely on their own equipment. The TRT is encouraged to make day trips to the National Lakeshore to engage with staff and visitors.

Lesson plans will be based on NPS resources like scientific data, primary source documents, or NPS-produced materials. Lesson plans are part of the online course requirements. The TRT will also work with park experts and gain experience helping with other park programs or special events.

The goal is for teachers to engage with park resources and assist the park in developing a curriculum-based lesson. They will also increase their understanding of place-based learning. The NPS aims to especially reach students from underserved schools by recruiting teachers from Title 1, urban or rural schools, and tribal schools.

For more information, please visit the National Lakeshore’s website and you can email slbe_education@nps.gov to receive an application. Applications received by April 8 will receive first consideration.