Four local teachers selected for Teachers on Public Lands program
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LAS VEGAS – Four teachers from the Clark County School District were selected to participate in BLM’s Teachers on Public Lands program. The program gives teachers opportunities to work as interns on public lands during their summer breaks.
Staci Ruelas-Ortega, from Dailey Elementary School, has taught both 2nd and 5th grade students. She will develop a Junior Ranger Activity Book for Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
Trey Takahashi-Brummer is a social studies teacher at Von Tobel Middle School. He will write field trip curriculum to visit the Sloan Canyon Petroglyphs for middle school and high school students.
Greg Shofner is a geology and earth sciences teacher at Cimarron-Memorial High School. He will write field trip curriculum for middle school and high school students to visit the geological features near the McCullough Hills trailhead in Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
Ashley Long is a math, chemistry and English teacher at Sierra Vista High School. She has experience teaching students with disabilities, and will develop a Junior Ranger Activity Book for Gold Butte National Monument.
"We are delighted with the strong partnership between the Clark County School District and the BLM educators and rangers in Southern Nevada," said Cheryl Wagner, Coordinator in the CCSD School-Community Partnership Program. "Field experiences and in-class presentations by the BLM staff provide valuable educational enrichment for our students and teachers. This summer opportunity will greatly impact the participating teachers, their students and others across the district and will continue to foster the strong partnership."
When the teachers return to school in the fall, they share their program projects with their students. The teachers’ projects enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of the public lands.
The program allows educators to create curriculum based on real-life experience and strengthens connections between local schools and the BLM. At the end of the program, teachers and students have a better understanding of the role of the BLM and the management of public lands.
The Teachers on Public Lands program began in 2014 through a BLM partnership with the University of Colorado - Denver. In return for 160 hours of service and their professional education product, each educator receives a $2,200 stipend and three graduate credits through the University of Colorado - Denver.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.