Dear Master Interpreter – Summer 2024

Your questions answered!

Dear Master Interpreter: 

I lead school group walks in my park throughout the school year and after a couple of years, I think I’ve really hit the mark on a successful interpretive program that inspires and excites the students and addresses content standards. YET- my biggest issue is the parents. They are supposed to be chaperones and help me with the students but instead they stand in the back talking while I’m conducting my program. What can I do? Can I ask them to leave? Can I discipline them in front of the students? Can I kick them out of the park?

—Positioning Potentially Pesky Parents

Dear P.P.P.P.:

First, thank you for your great work as an interpreter and your dedication to providing quality, meaningful interpretive programs for school groups in your parks. Try touching base with the teacher when they arrive and let them know that you need to talk to the parents separately before the program starts. Gather the parents together and thank them for taking the time today to assist you with the program. Be very clear about your expectations and the role you want them to play (e.g., “please stay separated from other parents, with one parent in the back and the others spaced apart in the middle; that way you can help make sure the students are paying attention and assist me as needed”). I’ve found that parents are well intentioned but if they are not clear on their role during the program, they are likely to enjoy some social time with one another during your program. I think you will see a big change once you implement this strategy of clear expectations with your parent chaperones.

—Master Interpreter

Dear Master Interpreter:

My supervisor has drilled into me the importance of themes since I began working as an interpreter in my park. So much so, that I sometimes refer to themes as the “T” word. I know it needs to be a complete sentence that covers what my program is about. I know it needs to be interestingly worded and I should mention my theme at the start, weave it throughout and conclude with it. I know the purpose of a strong theme. Now my supervisor is expecting me to have a theme with my bulletin boards and interpretive signs. What the heck? There’s no introduction or conclusion in a sign? This is ridiculous!

—Scheming on Theming for a Sign

Dear Scheming:

I feel your frustration over an assignment that is new to you and perhaps not being clear on how to deal with it. Yet, have no fear – Master Interpreter is here! And the answer is quite simple. The best way to make your theme clear in an interpretive sign is to include it in the title. Though, in this case- it does not have to be a complete sentence. Since your title (and often subtitle) are generally in a larger, bolder font and placed on the sign so that it is likely the first thing people will see, you can capitalize on this placement by stating your theme in the title. An example of a theme title that is not a complete sentence would be to take the title “The Dangers of Pesticides” and change it to “Pesticides Kill.” It’s short, it’s sweet (well kinda) and to the point. If the reader knows nothing else, they know that pesticides are harmful and can lead to death.

Hang in there and try titillating titles – you might have fun doing it!

—Master Interpreter

Dear Master Interpreter:

I previously worked for a small organization which didn’t make use of Teams (one of the few on the planet!) and now that I’ve joined the Department, I feel surrounded by Microsoft apps! Now that I’ve gotten to know Teams, I see its obvious value but am I also expected to utilize SharePoint? How are they different? Why do I see the same content in both? Is this an example of built in redundancy?

Please tell me, what is the point of SharePoint?

—What’s the Point of SharePoint?

Dear What’s the Point:

So glad you’ve joined the Team – and are using state parks’ Teams to stay in touch and informed with your fellow interpreters! All the many applications and platforms can become a bit overwhelming at times. Try thinking of them as more tools in your Interpreter’s Toolbox.

SharePoint serves as a storage space and a place that makes collaboration easier. With interpreters like you located up and down the state, Teams allows us to meet, make video calls, send quick chats, make announcements, and ask questions in real time. Its link to Outlook also tells us whether a colleague is available or not.

SharePoint allows for storage of and access to documents, folders, files, etc. which can be worked on and shared collaboratively among staff. SharePoint is more like a virtual library or archive of documents where everyone with access (Teams users like you!) can go in and check out an item, make changes if warranted, and return it for others to see and use. Both Teams and SharePoint are intranet tools – users need to be fellow employees. For more information, here’s a handy article.

—Master Interpreter

Send your questions for the Master Interpreter to interpretation.staff@parks.ca.gov