The 2025 Acadia Teacher Fellows participate in a phenology walk on the Sundew Trail on the Schoodic Peninsula with the Schoodic Institute. (Rhiannon Johnston/Friends of Acadia)

BAR HARBOR, ME — Friends of Acadia, a nonprofit partner of Acadia National Park, encourages K-12 educators to apply for this summer’s Acadia Teacher Fellowship, a professional development program that connects teachers with Acadia’s landscapes, history, and scientific research to inspire learning within and far beyond the park’s borders.

Supported by Friends of Acadia, the Acadia Teacher Fellowship provides educators with hands-on experiences in the park, opportunities to collaborate with National Park Service staff and fellow teachers, and resources to create meaningful, place-based lessons for their students. The program helps educators bring conservation, stewardship, and real-world learning into classrooms across Maine and beyond.

Fellows participate in immersive learning experiences that highlight Acadia’s natural and cultural resources and have opportunities to participate in community science projects and interpretive programs. Teachers leave the program with new content knowledge, classroom-ready materials, and a deeper understanding of how national parks can serve as living classrooms for students of all ages.

The application period is currently open through Jan. 24, 2026. Full-time K-12 teachers from all disciplines and subject areas are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to public school teachers in Maine.

The program runs for four weeks between June and August. Fellows are provided with shared housing, if needed, as well as a $400 weekly stipend. A certificate of completion and contact hours are available.

For more info and to apply:

Find program details, eligibility requirements, and application information on the Acadia National Park website and on Friends of Acadia’s website.