EOTY = End of the Year
LELs = Life Experience Lessons
Around this time in the summers of 2016, 2017, and 2018 I went on three seperate field trips with the best set of students.
In 2016, we ventured to Hawaii, which promised to be an incredible experience. Unfortunately, I got sick a few days into the trip and had to rely on Nyquil to alleviate my symptoms. Despite the setback, I tried my best to make the most of it, even though I couldn’t fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This taught me the importance of resilience and finding joy in the midst of challenging circumstances. We got lost in the middle of a hike too which took us 2 hours to unwind out of.
The following year, we embarked on a trip to Zion National Park, which quickly became my favorite destination. Camping amidst nature was a refreshing change, and our subsequent visit to Las Vegas to watch the Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil show added a touch of entertainment. However, a leg cramp plagued me for a few days, making hiking quite painful. Despite the discomfort, I persevered, realizing the value of pushing through physical obstacles to savor breathtaking experiences. Camping was a fun experience, and the kids had an “emotional emergency” on the final night of camping, resulting in a true lack of sleep on my end.
In 2018, we explored the vibrant city of Seattle. It was a fun adventure, but my frustration peaked when we had to navigate a parking lot with incredibly small and tight spaces. Regrettably, I accidentally crashed into a parked bicycle and then yelled at a kid who had the audacity to question my driving. Although this mishap left me feeling flustered, it served as a reminder to be patient and careful, even in stressful situations. I’m not a fan of driving in cities for the most part, and will try to avoid them in the future for this reason.
Reflecting on these trips, I can say that they were undeniably wonderful experiences. While my stance on charter schools may have changed (team district!!!), I recognize the profound impact these trips had on the best students I have ever taught in my life. These were also great experiences for me personally as well, since I had never travelled to Hawaii, Utah, or Seattle before those dates.
