Elkhorn teacher says it’s about having a global perspective
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
Elkhorn Area Middle School teacher Yvonne Fanshaw said she truly enjoys sharing her passion for traveling with students.
In part, she said, because traveling opens up a whole new world for them. Traveling can ignite a passion inside people that can take them to so many different and new places that they never thought they’d visit. Those that choose to travel may have a set pattern that they want to go in with each country offering them something unique to experience. To make this even more special travelers may want to pick up memorabilia along the way as well as use art print travel maps, which people can buy here as well as other places, to keep track of where they’ve been throughout the years.
Fanshaw took a group to Boston and New York City on an educational tour with EF Explore America in June. This spring, she’s heading to Washington D.C. with her students to expand their worldviews and learn by experiencing the history of a place first-hand.
She said traveling with her students is their reaction to new and exciting sights.
“Last year when we saw Time Square at night for the first time, students were so energized and excited by the lights and the people. It gave them a chance to see the world outside of our town,” Fanshaw said. “Traveling opens the world to students and allows them insight into the world. As the world changes and grows, so will the students.”
On last year’s trip, Fanshaw said taking the students to see the Broadway show “My Fair Lady” was one of the highlights, in part because she had to convince them to give it a chance.
“I have always been a fan of My Fair Lady but I am ‘old.’ Students groaned when it wasn’t Hamilton but I just asked them to keep an open mind. At intermission, a group of the boys on the trip leaned forward and thanked me. They said it was awesome and they couldn’t wait to see how it ended,” she explained.
“See, it’s about opening minds and having a global perspective,” Fanshaw added.
On the most recent Boston/New York trip Fanshaw and her students arrived first in Boston and visited the Museum of Science, did a walking tour, visited Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, went to Lexington/Concord and the Concord Historical House among others stops.
From Boston they traveled to New York City, which included a guided tour, a stop at the Empire State Building Observatory, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, received a 9/11 survivor-led tour of Ground Zero and the Tribute Museum, took in a Broadway show (My Fair Lady), and visited The Met.
About EF Explore
EF Explore America is the educational travel division of EF Education First that focuses on tours across North America, provides middle and high school students and teachers with meaningful educational experiences that give them a broader perspective on their country, and help them become global citizens.
Fanshaw connected with her personal Tour Consultant to talk about what type of experience she was looking to provide for her students. After choosing the tour, they came up with a plan to create excitement and make sure that as many students as possible learn about this opportunity, so they have a chance to participate.
The company focuses heavily on the learning outcomes students gain from tours, helping them prepare for the future by teaching them more about the world, themselves, and themselves in the world, according to Skye McIvor, a representative of EF.
McIvor said EF takes care of all of the logistics so teachers and students can have an engaging, immersive experience in another city.
