On August 25th, Assistant Principal, Teresa Kepertis, of PS 207 Early Childhood Center in Brooklyn, NY completed an eight week tour of duty with the National Park Service Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Program. Teresa's work assignment for the summer was to develop a "Traveling Trunk" Outreach Program for New York City area schools. Teresa worked closely with Park Rangers Andrew Buttermilch and Josh Reyes, and an enthusiastic group of retired Long Island elementary school teachers.
The collaboration between Mrs. Kepertis, the retired teachers and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site created a more effective and engaging curriculum for students to promote critical thinking skills while utilizing in-depth progressive educational theories. Mrs. Kepertis enjoyed her time with the Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Program, "This summer at Sagamore Hill was extremely rewarding. Not only did I learn a lot about TR and his love of life, I also worked in a happy, warm and welcoming environment where everyone made me feel at home." Sagamore Hill National Historic Site plans to have Mrs. Kepertis return next summer to assist with further improving the park's education program.
The goal of the Traveling Trunk Outreach Program is to bring the story of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site to underserved and underfunded school districts in the New York City metropolitan area. The initial target audience for the program is 4th graders, but the program will expand to other audiences. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, in partnership with PS 207 Early Childhood Center, will pilot the program throughout the current school year.
Teacher to Ranger to Teacher is an annual program that establishes an Intergovernmental Personnel Act Agreement between a public school district and the National Park Service. Every summer educators work in parks as rangers for the summer. The emphasis on the program is to link National Park Service sites and teachers from schools with underserved student populations in both urban and rural school districts.
For further information about these programs or Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, visit our website at www.nps.gov/sahi or call 516-922-4788.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
