For the Love of Teaching: Connecting with students while traveling

           Building relationships is essential to effective teaching.  Learning means taking risks.  In order for students to take these risks, they must know they can trust us. Educational travel allowed me to strengthen my relationships with my students and their parents in ways I never imagined.

One lesson I’ve learned through educational travel is how different students can be outside of the classroom.  Students who struggle to stay seated in class are liberated by the ability to explore and learn through experience.  Students who frequently call out show they are successful conversationalist when raising their hand is not required.  Last year, one student, “Nicole”, completely took me by surprise.  At school, Nicole was extremely quiet, her voice no louder than a whisper.  She kept to herself and didn’t seem to laugh often.  On the trip, I remember asking myself, “Who is this kid?”.  She was laughing, making new friends, and having a grand old time.  For the first time that I could recall, I heard Nicole’s voice.  Getting to know students both in and out of the classroom gives teachers a holistic view of their students.   The more we know about our students, the easier it is for us to adjust our curriculum to meet their individual needs. 

            Another interesting aspect of education travel is what results from our students seeing us outside of the classroom.  Rarely do students see their teachers outside of school.  This explains the looks of shock when we run into us at the grocery store!!  One component of my curriculum is teaching students skills that will help them be successful not only in school, but in society.  While traveling with students, I try to model these skills. For example, I show them that in order to find my way, I need to know how to read a map and pay attention to signs.  I show them that I count my money after making a purchase to ensure the cashier gave me the correct change and that I say excuse me when I bump into someone.  Educational travel lets students apply the skills they’ve learned in school to their reality.  This instantly makes what they have learned relevant; increasing the likelihood they will remember it.

            Seeing each other in this new light creates a special bond between student and teacher.  As this trip is often the first time my kids are away from their parents, I become even more like a parental figure while they are away from home.  I’m the one who takes care of them if they don’t feel well or cheers them up if they are homesick.  We become on own little family. 

Educational travel has also strengthened my relationships with parents.  I let them know I will take care of their child as if they were my own.  Their decision to allow their child to travel or not relies heavily on their ability to trust me.  Additionally, parents form relationships with each other.  I provide time after meetings for parents and chaperones to socialize and exchange contact information.  This way, parents who are staying behind get to know the chaperones that will be traveling with their child. 

Many parents who came to D.C. with me became volunteers at our school.  They were more comfortable calling me if they had a question about an assignment or their child’s grade. Teachers are constantly looking for ways to improve relationships with parents.  Educational travel is just another way they can do this.