As a foreign language teacher I planned field trips annually. Despite the challenges I continued to plan some kind of trip every year relatively close by or abroad…whether it was to Mexico, San Antonio, downtown Houston or to a college hosting a special event, my students wanted to know, “Where are we going this year?” Steven Spielberg once said “I want to make movies I would want to watch; that my family can watch.” I always wanted to plan a trip that I would like to take, one that even my daughters would take with us (my students and me).
Filled with motivation, convinced of their value, among the trips I planned were several to Mexico.
However, not everything went according to plan on those trips abroad. I’m going to recall some of the experiences that could have marked my last trip. They involved trips that I would label “reality field trip” experiences. I can only laugh about some of those now, but I sure didn’t laugh about them when they happened. When I think of them now, I wonder, “Why did I keep planning the next trip?” I’ve given each unforgettable experience a title just to prepare you a bit for what’s coming.
You spent all your money the first day?!!! One trip took my students and me to Mexico. We arrived late in the morning, had a Mexican lunch around 2:00 then went shopping. That night we went out to dinner and the twins on the trip came to me announcing they couldn’t pay for their dinner. They had spent ALL their money that afternoon at a jewelry stand. Even after careful planning before the trip including conversation about the difference between dollars and pesos, the importance of budgeting…WHAT? Thank goodness my own credit card was healthy, so they became my “wards” for every meal. I was reimbursed when the bill came in at the end of the month. Their parents informed me that their daughters were going to be doing a lot of babysitting to pay them back what was not budgeted for the trip.
From point A to point B, I lost my ticket. Still another trip, I told the students to meet me at the airport on the appointed day and time. There was a meeting before the actual day to check for passports, go over checklists, proof of citizenship, etc. Thinking I had thought of everything, I kept the plane tickets to distribute at the airport. I did not want to pass out those tickets and face a family or student who had somehow misplaced their ticket before the trip. So think-of-everything-me sat myself in seats right in front of the check-in counters. I handed each student their ticket that they only had to walk from my seat to the ticket counter. And then it happened…one student and her parents came to me in a panic saying they knew I had just given their daughter her ticket, but SOMEHOW the ticket was lost from my seat to the counter. This time our travel agent’s healthy credit card paid for a new ticket on the spot and the agency sorted out the discrepancy after the trip. Still don’t know what could have happened to that ticket…it’s a mystery…although I have searched in my mind for logical explanations.
You mean hotels don’t include laundry? Still another trip took us to Mexico City to a moderately priced hotel. We had a wonderful trip with all the activities falling into place throughout our week’s stay. The day we were to leave, a tearful student came to me to report she was faced with almost $50 extra in laundry fees. WHAT? Guilty me. I had warned students about not incurring costly phone bills by using the phone. In fact I had the local and long distance blocked on each student’s room. They could only call each other from room to room. Yep, Guilty me…I was guilty because I had not specifically said, “Don’t send your clothes out to be laundered.”
“But I thought it was included in the hotel service,” she cried. (Live and learn; it’s not.) She, also, had some babysitting to do when she got home after I let her parents know what had happened. Thankfully another parent on the trip and friend of her family, bailed my tearful student out. I came to find out over the course of many trips that some wonderful parents as chaperones helped out tremendously.
Illness, food allergies…food aversions, roommate issues. Why did I keep planning the next trip? I wanted them to see Chichén Itzá a Mayan citadel on the Yucatan. I wanted them to climb “El Castillo”, its pyramid.
El castillo at Chichén Itzá
I wanted them to visit the Mayan observatory, the “juego de pelota” (ball court), and the sacred “cenote” (well) where sacrifices were made, both human and precious metals.
The Mayan Observatory
I wanted them to see the immense stone pillar that supported an equally immense stone circle that dropped water like a rain fall in the center of the Museum of Anthropology. I wanted them to run through the water in the heat of the afternoon sun.
"El paraguas", central fountain at the Museum of Anthropology, via Wikipedia
I wanted them to listen to the “Jarabe Tapatío”, Mexican hat dance, at the Palace of Fine Arts and take pleasure in their clapping rhythmically to the dance and music.
Mexican Hat Dance, El jarabe tapatío via el consul de México
I still hear from several of my travelers, especially at Christmas time. I look forward to their Christmas cards and the joy they share with me in reporting that their own children have traveled and are traveling abroad.
Bless your heart. You provided great cultural experiences on those field trips for your students and they learned some valuable life lessons too.
There are certainly lots of stories in those trips. : )
Now those are amazing field trips, my friend – all the way to Mexico?! I took my 6th graders to Washington D.C. for a week my second year in MS – we had the best time ever, wonderful chaperones, & so many of my students would’ve never been able to go there had it not been for our class trip – we even had fund raisers & completely funded one student’s trip who’s mother had died & the dad wasn’t in the picture. It was a trip I’ll never forget as a teacher & my students still speak of it today. Always love the photos you post with your blogs. XO
How wonderful you made that trip possible. I truly think travel and the experiences associated with it change us and make us view things differently. A classroom is just that…a classroom…but to take them beyond those walls is irreplaceable. You know when those kids think of DC they will think “I remember when…”
oh my goodness. you have the patience of a saint! i’d have lost it on the first dilemma!
I did used to panic and was a complete control freak…however, I had to chill out to survive and still enjoy the trip. Truly…it was knowing what the trips offered that kept me focused.
You’re that inspirational teacher students never ever forget. I want to clone you so that every student can have a teacher who cares enough to fearlessly go out on a limb and do something amazing with them.
Thank you for the kind remarks. I’m in awe of our baby teachers who are filled with energy and a vision. I only hope that the petty obstacles I faced on trips do not translate for them into insensitive and myopic policies. Their energy and vision must be nurtured as it was for me…ohhhh, I was so lucky and I pray that all the necessary variables come together for our new generation.
Every student should have a teacher like you! And those are memories of trips that will last a lifetime (the good and the not so good!) I haven’t traveled much out of the country and hope to some day. So much to see and do.
The teacher who took us to see the Salvador Dalí exhibit also took us to Ecuador. She inspired me to want to do the same for my students. One of my former students took my position as department chair when I retired. I take great pleasure in knowing the department is in “good” hands. Although she never took a trip to Mexico with me, she went year after year to a Foreign Language Weekend sponsored by a private college north of Dallas. That was a road trip.
I could not handle the stress of even one of those situations. I probably would have done fine a few years ago, but I tend to abandon people who create difficult situations for me more and more each year as I get older.
Thank you for visiting. I was not surprised at all to read the stress rate among high school teachers…top 10 most stressful jobs…right up there with policemen and firemen. But somehow, I conquered it. The first 10 – 15 years were almost a blur for me…then time slowed down and I just took things one day at a time, one “crisis” at a time…next!
Interesting you would think that is stressful…I would think coming up with a post a day, performing in front of audiences and being in the moment for them so it’s fresh and new with every performance would be stressful. For me, just submitting a caption to the caption contest is a bit stressful knowing how many eyes will read, judge, possibly say “next.” I think SAM (She’s a Maineiac is amazing with her multiple submissions.)
Presently, I am trying really to reclaim my life…making fun choices for me…for so long I was the problem solver…yet I don’t regret it because when it comes to children, that is what is required, I’m afraid.
I agree with the other commenters who’ve said they couldn’t have handled all these issues! Sounds like you know how to deal with just about any dilemma, and I’m sure your students have learned much more from you than they ever expected.
Thank you for visiting, Dianna. Every job has its ins and outs, inside stuff to know…and teaching does too. I don’t claim to be the only one to survey what goes with the territory…but I do hope people can stay focused on what’s important, not get too caught up in the details. Perhaps reality tv doesn’t interest me because I feel reality life is enough to deal with. When my daughters ask me to watch something on the “reality” front…I do so, so I can bridge the conversation to what they’re thinking…what they find funny, serious, not a big deal or a big deal.
I think it’s wonderful that you gave this experience to your students. Speaking Spanish in the classroom just doesn’t compare to using it in the real world. After graduating from college, a friend and I wanted to use the Spanish we had learned in school — so we gave ourselves a “reality field trip” by taking a ten-day excursion to Mexico. I’ll always remember that trip — and I’m sure your students will remember theirs as well.
Total immersion is the best way to really understand what proficiency is. What a wonderful opportunity to have afforded yourselves. I’m so glad you are continuing your Spanish.
This was a heckuva lot of fun to read, and imagine.
I know they’re called “learning experiences” for a reason, but sometimes I wish we could get the learning without the experiences. At least chagrin is often replaced with merriment with the passing of time!
Oh lordy…those were only three stories. Perhaps more will bubble up over time. Those were fun times and yes (smiling) great “learning experiences.” Thank you for reading; it means a lot to me that you got just one peek at 33 years of travels with Mrs. S. How I do wish digital cameras were better back then…I can’t believe how woeful my pictures are…I have so many prints and slides…but digital pictures are lacking…do I date myself?
Thanks for the laugh!
Incredible stuff. Welcome to high school!
These sound like great adventures, and I love seeing the places you shared with your students. I didn’t know most of these existed. How blessed they were to have you.
I was fortunate to have great parents and students to travel with. The reality moments are pretty laughable now…I panicked back then, but in the grand scheme of things, the trip was the important thing.
You are a wonderful teacher. You take care of your students like they are your own kids. They are so lucky that you brought them to places that others only dreamed about. Yes, there were a few disasters but they can’t much the joy and beautiful memories you’ve given to this kids and their families. They are so blessed to have you. What an inspiring post. Thank you.
Thank you for reading, IT. I do think the field trip is an important part of the curriculum. My parents and grandparents gave me such a rich heritage that must be shared and in no way ignored.
Field trips are the best. It sounds like you indeed gave your students some fantastic experiences! I was lucky to grow up near enough to NYC that I had yearly choir trips to see a Broadway show. Fond memories!
Now those were some kind of local field trips!
Georgette – how old were these travelers? What a wonderful teacher you are (were) to invest such time and energy in these students. Most definitely you are a teacher your students will never forget. How nice that you still receive Christmas cards from some of them.
I’m sorry you weren’t my teacher. I would have been prepared for your REAL plan. Thankfully, you share your travels with us, so I can enjoy them from the comfort of my bum. (smile)
I always enjoy your comments. Thank you for reading all this reminiscing. These travelers were 14-17. I’m still very involved on the state and national level in foreign language education but don’t do the traveling I used to do. I would love to retake a lot of pictures with my digital camera now.
You certainly are cool under pressure. Kids are a trip, aren’t they? They think they’re so grown up, but then they do silly things like that. Gave me a good laugh, though I’m sure those things weren’t too funny at the time.
We used to love going to Mexico when we lived in San Antonio. We’d drive down to Laredo and take the foot bridge across the Rio Grande to Nuevo Laredo. I know it’s not the same as going to the interior, though we did go to the Yucatan once, but we still enjoyed our visits and eating at the Cadillac Bar. It gave me an opportunity to use my Spanish. How sad that it is too dangerous there to visit anymore. Que lastima.
Thank you for reading. Those were fun times I wouldn’t trade for anything. Yes, it’s very sad indeed what is going on. Criminals have taken over and hijacked the country. I still have two cousins there. Their life is there and I don’t expect them to leave. Las cosas están bien, bien feas ahora.