Special Scientist Program Pays Teachers In Smokies

    GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - Teachers are getting paid to help bring the Smoky Mountains into their classrooms and give national park officials tips on how to teach.
    An educational grant from the Alcoa Community Foundation pays three Sevier County science teachers during a six-week summer program during which they don ranger uniforms and work in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alongside career rangers in the Special Scientists program.
    Among duties of the teacher-rangers are conducting Junior Ranger programs for elementary school age children in the park and collecting air quality monitoring data.
    The National Park Service said the teachers will wear their ranger uniforms to school during National Parks Week in April.