|
Who could possibly complain? The fjords of Iceland. The markets of Marrakesh. The cathedrals of Prague. Most professionals envy teachers for their ability to visit these places and more on excursions as part of their work. But only teachers can really understand their job and its highs and lows. From the inside, as it were, excursions lose some of their glamour when the responsibility of taking charge of a horde of excited children is taken into account. It's certainly no holiday. But there are some simple measures all teachers can take to make sure they minimise stress and maximise enjoyment when on a tour. Choose an inspiring destination First, when at all possible, teachers should choose inspiring and provocative destinations for their school trips. While no doubt constrained by budget and curriculum, within the bounds of these restrains teachers can use their imagination. If they are able to pick an affordable destination that engages with their teaching objectives in a dynamic way, they will find that this place will inspire engagement - not only from students, but also from themselves. Prepare absorbing educational experiences Moreover, if the destination is inspiring, it gives teachers a chance to create riveting educational experiences on these school trips. These cannot be underestimated for the value they provide for both students and teachers. While doing the research for these experiences, teachers will find themselves learning, and while guiding students through the history of the Acropolis, the business acumen of Tokyo or the artistry of the Vatican architecture, they will rediscover passion for their curriculum. Reduce potential risks One of the most potent reasons school trips are not thought of as vacations by teachers is the risk factor involved. Managing a large number of students in a new and unfamiliar area is often a recipe for stress because of any number of minor or major accidents that could happen. This is why arduous preparation with an experienced excursion provider will guarantee teachers better peace of mind. Engage with your students on a new level Thinking laterally, school trips need not be difficult due to the students. Indeed, they offer an opportunity for teachers to see their students in a new light. By adopting this positive attitude, teachers can make sure that they make the most of every opportunity to get to know their students better at an individual level and create a deeper relationship than what can developed in the classroom. This will in turn aid student-teacher relationships back in the classroom. Take care of yourself Finally, teachers need to remember that caregivers need care. They will be tired, they will be weary, they will find they crave space from their students, but at some point they must stop hanging all hopes of resting upon returning home and take care of themselves on the excursion. Especially for longer tours, this self-care must be planned for and is vital. Angela Bowden works for STS (School Travel Service), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing school trips for secondary schools, primary schools and colleges. School trips with STS can encompass art/design, foreign languages, history, science/nature, geography and more, to worldwide destinations.
Related Articles -
school, trips,
| 
