Each year, I have the opportunity to travel with my students through School Tours of America, and every time I come back, I am reminded that this experience is so much more than just a trip. This trip is a chance for students to step outside the classroom and truly connect with what they’ve been learning and with each other.

 

 

 

One of the things that always stands out to me is how relationships grow during the trip. Students who may not normally interact at school end up forming strong friendships. There’s something about traveling together- long bus rides, shared meals, and experiencing new places that brings students closer. When we return to school, those connections are still there, and it changes the dynamic in such a positive way.

 

Another highlight for our group is touring the United States Naval Academy. This is a huge moment for our students. They are often struck by the level of discipline they see and the commitment it takes to be successful there. Watching midshipmen move with purpose and hearing about the expectations placed on them leaves a lasting impression. It opens students’ eyes to what hard work, responsibility, and dedication truly look like in action.

 

Of course, the historical sites leave a lasting impression as well, but one moment that consistently stands out is our visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Watching students witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is powerful. You can see the shift in them; the realization of what sacrifice truly means. It’s not something that can be fully understood through a textbook. Standing there in silence, seeing the precision and respect, it hits differently.

 

 

 

 

 

Another thing that really stood out to me was how our students’ curiosity grew as the trip went on. They were asking questions I didn’t expect, pointing out things I might have missed, and making connections beyond what we had talked about in class. It was a great reminder that some of the best learning happens in those real, in-the-moment experiences.

 

 

 

 

When we return, the conversations don’t stop. Students share their experiences with others, reflect on what they saw, and continue asking questions. That’s when I know the trip truly made an impact. It sparked something in each of them. Whether it be a deeper appreciation for history, a new curiosity, or simply a stronger connection to their peers. The memories made on this trip are long-lasting.

 

These are the moments that stay with them. And honestly, they’re the moments that stay with me, too.