Traveling with students is a no-brainer when you have trusted classroom teachers. Many teachers want their students to experience the world without hovering parents, but parents still want someone they trust to keep an eye on their children.
Parents get peace of mind, and students develop independence, cultural sensitivities, and other key skills before applying to college.
But what do teachers get out of traveling with students? Here are the top five benefits of travel for teachers you can expect from a school group trip!
1. Professional Development Opportunities
Public and independent schools alike require teachers to engage in professional development. Check with your department head or division director to see if a trip with your students might satisfy one (or several) of your school’s professional development requirements. Traveling abroad with your students is a perfect example of rewarding and fun professional development work.
2. Teachers Travel for Free
The prospect of free travel presents unique opportunities that wouldn’t necessarily be possible if you were to travel on your own dime. You might opt to visit a new place, especially one that you may not have imagined visiting on your own. Alternatively, you might revisit a favorite destination while viewing your experience through a different lens. The perk of free travel extends beyond the teacher, too. For every six students, an adult is eligible to join the group for free, so you may consider inviting a co-teacher or teaching intern to accompany your group.
Explore Customizable School Group Trip Programs Around the World
3. Inspire Project-Based Learning
A school trip offers countless possibilities for creative projects. One student can create a website, another can serve as the photographer, and a third can blog about their experiences. These projects can fulfill senior requirements for current students or inspire future classes. Traveling brings your lessons to life and encourages students to think beyond the classroom.
4. Observe Teaching Outcomes Firsthand
Traveling with students gives you real-time feedback on your teaching strategies. If the focus of your trip is language immersion, you can observe how effectively students communicate in real-world situations. Are they comfortable ordering food at a market or asking for directions?
You’ll also witness the extent of your students’ understanding of the culture when traveling with students. Do they understand nuances of addressing elder members of the community or act surprised when encountering local customs? Your observations on your trip will guide you in tweaking your classroom curriculum when you return home.
5. Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth
Travel reminds us that learning never ends. By traveling with your students, you learn not only about them and your curriculum, but also about yourself. Your time away from home will remind you that learning is a lifelong process.
Travel teaches that you’ll never have all the answers, and that’s OK. Traveling with students provides a unique opportunity to teach while reminding yourself of the importance of engaging with people from other cultures, beyond the walls of the classroom.
Visit Rustic Pathways Group Travel for more information about creating a customized trip for your students.