CALAIS – Middle school teacher Jim Randall has a cool summer job.

Randall was hired in June by the National Park Service as part of its Teacher to Ranger to Teacher program at the St. Croix Island International Historic Site in Red Beach.

In addition to Randall, three other teachers were part of the TRT program at Acadia National Park.

The teachers spent several weeks learning about the National Park Service, working with park staff, and presenting programs for families and children.

Next month it is back to the classroom for Randall and others, who will take the history of the parks back to their students through lesson plans developed during the summer.

Randall teaches the seventh and eighth grades at Calais Middle School. It is his seventh-grade students who will benefit from his studies. In September, Randall plans to take the class on a field trip to the historic St. Croix Island site.

“I love history, so I love to teach about the island,” Randall added.

Located in the St. Croix River at Red Beach near the boundary between the U.S. and Canada, the site predates Jamestown and Plymouth Rock and is a popular destination for visitors to the area.

In 1604, explorer Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, accompanied by geographer Samuel de Champlain and 79 others, sailed to the tiny island.

After the 1604-05 winter, which devastated the tiny settlement, the survivors left the island and established the Port Royal habitation on the shores of what is today the Annapolis basin in Nova Scotia.

The TRT pilot program began in Colorado several years ago and involved teachers from underserved schools in the Denver Public School District.

Each TRT participant is paid $2,400 for an eight-week summer season, or $3,000 for a 10-week season. The park provides housing and uniforms.

Randall learned of the job through Park Ranger Meg Sheid, who sought a TRT position for the St. Croix Island site.

“Meg tried to make sure she would have someone local,” he said.

Randall’s assignment ends this weekend, and with the summer nearly behind him, he also will be reaching out to students across the county.

“In April, during National Parks Week, teacher-rangers wear their NPS uniforms to school and discuss their summer as a park ranger with other faculty members and students, give students assignments that relate to America’s national parks and discuss the role that units of the National Park System play in preserving the nation’s history,” the NPS said in a handout.

The national TRT program began in 2003. Funding will be sought to continue the program beyond 2012.

bdncalais@verizon.net

454-8228