The excitement is building!

I heard from a very dear friend this week, who is also a teacher, that she will be joining the TRT force this summer in Shenandoah National Park.  What a wonderful thing to be able to share.  She is so excited and will be an awesome TRT.  I have read and heard from others that it is all about THE HAT. You know what? Part of that is really true. It is another life all together.

I have taken part in two career fairs this past week and it has been just wonderful to share our park with these eager young faces, first and preschoolers.  They think it is just about the most amazing thing they have ever heard of in the world.  They light up when you talk about how special The Badlands are and how you live right there with the animals.  They all want to know where you sleep, if you get to carry a weapon, do you help the animals and all kinds of very interesting questions.  My class took special pride in the fact it was their teacher wearing the uniform in the school which was fun to witness.

They talk about their experience with distance learning and traveling to The Badlands to meet Ranger Julie and share the animal facts they learned, it really made an impact.  They get it! They really get it! That we need to take care of special places in this country that make it a spectacular place to explore.  When I ask "What does a ranger do?"  the answer is protect and teach, about the park, the animals and the habitat.  Big words for such little guys.  Some students have already told me they are going to visit me this summer at "our park".  The teachers in my building are very interested as well.  I tell them it is one of the most dynamic professional development experiences they will ever have.  I know I am a better teacher for having the experience.  In fact I would really like to be a full time ranger when I grow up!