National Park Service Seeking Teachers Who Want to be Park Rangers!

Brecksville, Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is seeking qualified teachers who would like to work as a park ranger this summer in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program. The TRT program offers teachers eight weeks working in national parks across the country and developing lessons to connect their students to the park during the following school year. Teachers have the opportunity to earn graduate credit for the experience. They wear the National Park Service uniform to school and present park related lessons during National Park Week in April, 2012.

This is the fifth year for Cuyahoga Valley National Park staff to include Teacher-Ranger-Teachers. "I am heading back into the school year with more energy, passion, and commitment to ensuring that my school-based community knows and understands the beauty that is in our back yard—the Cuyahoga Valley National Park”, said Kristina Schroeder, a first  grade teacher from Nordonia Hills Schools in Northfield.

Ellie Reagan, a fifth and sixth grade science and reading teacher at Urban Community School in Cleveland started a successful program called Urban Outsiders. On three Saturdays during the school year, Ms. Reagan arranged for students and their families to visit the park together. They hike in the Virginia Kendall Ledges, will try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at the Winter Sports Center, and plan to do a service project in the park in May. When asked what teachers considering the program should know, she replied, "I would have to warn them that there is a good chance of getting hooked deeply into the CVNP."

For more information, application, and job description call Pamela Barnes at 330-657-2796 ext. 113 or visit www.nps.gov/cuva/forteachers/teacher-ranger-teacher-program. Deadline to apply for the program is February 15, 2012.


Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural activities in one setting. For more information visit www.nps.gov/cuva or call 330-657-2752 or 800-257-9477.