traveling – Educators of Excellence Institutes

“A Little Rain Isn’t Going to Hurt”

August 4, 2025 - 5 Comments

We should be home. You all should be in our arms by now, with tears shed when we saw your faces at the airport arrivals. We should hear laundry spinning, feel our carpet between our toes, enjoy couches holding our tired bodies, and smell the distinct scent of home.

We should be celebrating and handing out souvenirs, sharing African candy and snacks we loved. You would be looking over our shoulders at photos of lions and elephants, taking in the glorious scenery that pictures can’t do justice. You’d be getting a glimpse into experiences we can’t put into words.

Instead we are here. And you are there. We’re in another flight cancellation or delay or whatever at this point. Our hearts are so full from this trip and we are excited for the adventure of the day. But we are also filled with anxiety about the next flight arrangement, worried about going back to work, as school has already started without some of us. Money is running out. Clean clothes ran out days ago. And we miss you. If someone could let our 4-legged friends that can’t read blogs know we miss them, too, that would be great!

Our last group photo before saying goodbye to Noma and Zinhle – we will miss them.

We celebrated burnt toast theory just days ago. Today, we want to be home. As a group of teachers, it’s been hard for many of us to relinquish control. But, Emma and Christy have been fearless leaders and have led us through so many fires, many I doubt we are even aware of. So, we are sitting in the waiting. And for many of us, that is not a comfortable place. Some of us are content and some of us are rescheduling appointments and remaking plans.

We visited the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town today and it was fantastic! The heavy focus on conservation was refreshing to see. We got to see coral, seahorses, beautiful fish, and sting rays up close. We saw a turtle with a prosthetic on his shell that is teaching him how to balance as he swims, so he can soon swim in the ocean again. We heard the story of a rescued Loggerhead Sea Turtle who will be released in a few days once his rehabilitation is complete.

Despite looming schedule changes, we had a great time at the aquarium.

A glimpse at a sea turtle prosthetic. We watched this turtle interact with the loggerhead that was just released into this enclosure, hopefully to be released into the wild in the coming days!

After the aquarium we took a very wet walk in the rain. By the end we were cold, soaked, and a little more ready to go home. Some of us handled this really well and some of us needed a minute. After we (mostly) dried off we toured the Iziko South African Museum. We were able to take time and read detailed information and see exhibits about all the animals, plants, rocks, and cultures we’ve experienced while in South Africa.

When cloudy walks turn into rainy walks.

Exploring the Iziko South African Museum. Can you find Stephanie?

Then we got our updated travel plans. And we struggled to process. We wouldn’t be home for three more days.

But, there was something I’d seen in an exhibit that came back to me. It was on Hominids and how our ancestors are tied to us. A caption said:

“How many struggles, celebrations, hurt, love stories, meals shared, hopes and dreams, and journeys did your ancestors experience for you to be here?”

And it helped me reframe. We are here and so many pieces had to fall into place to get us all here right now. As hard as some of this has been, how awesome is it that we are still together in this amazing place? That we have been given time to potentially make up the things we lost, like whale watching? Lindsay’s husband said she is always so good at finding the silver lining. So, we are going to search for the silver lining and make the most of the time we are being given here. If we can’t be with our family, we are glad to be with each other. We have been sharing meals and hopes and dreams for two weeks. We will stay on this journey together.

“It takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow.” We’ve had so much sun on this trip. A little rain isn’t going to hurt.

South Africa

“For Good, Not Goodbye”

August 3, 2025 - 0 Comments

This morning at 5:14am I opened my eyes with the realization that today would be our last full day in South Africa. While there was excitement about visiting the Cape of Good Hope and seeing African penguins up close, a wave of emotion hit — the kind that comes when something deeply meaningful is beginning to wind down.

Setting out for a day of Cape Peninsula adventures.

Last night during our group meeting I shared that many of us have experienced our own version of Eat, Pray, Love on this journey. What that means will vary for each of us who’ve shared the past 16 days, but the transformation is something we all feel.

Our group meals have evolved from efficient, polite conversations into something intimate and full of life — shared stories, passed plates, deep laughter, and meaningful connection. We’ve grown from a group of 18 near-strangers into something that feels very much like a family.

Some of us live close enough to already be planning ways to meet up again, to maintain the bonds we’ve formed. We’re also looking ahead to November, when we’ll reunite at the museum and share how we’ve brought this experience home — into our classrooms and school communities.

But this is the tricky part — how do you say goodbye to people who have become a part of your heart, knowing your paths may never cross again? How do you return home with the knowledge that a piece of yourself will forever remain here, in this breathtaking country?

Each night, our reflections have been guided by thoughtful questions meant to help us process this experience. And I think many of us are still trying to fully understand how South Africa — and especially its people — have changed us.

There have been quiet conversations about how we’ll share this journey with our students and loved ones, and deeper talks about the personal growth we’ve experienced. As educators, we’ve dedicated our lives to preparing the next generation to discover who they are and how they can make the world a better place. The connections we’ve made and the perspective we’ve gained will help us do that work with more authenticity and a deeper, global understanding — because once you look beyond the surface, you realize: we are all one family.

Then, just when we were bracing ourselves for goodbyes, life threw us a curveball: our return flight was canceled. We’re still working out the details, but in true South African spirit, we’re choosing to make the most of it. We’re leaning into the extra time we’ve been given here, soaking in every last moment.

Today we made it to the Cape of Good Hope — and it did not disappoint. The hike to the tip felt like stepping into Middle-earth or a forgotten corner of the world. It was breathtaking in every sense, with rugged landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and even close encounters with baboons. We split into two groups — one took the bus to the lighthouse while the rest of us hiked the trail. We all met at the base, faces full of smiles, as we posed proudly beside the Cape of Good Hope sign before continuing on.

We are a sign-loving crew, so couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a photo with the Cape of Good Hope sign!

Next, we visited Boulders Penguin Sanctuary — a dream come true for many in our group. There, we watched wild African penguins waddling freely along the beach. The comical little creatures delighted everyone. One group member even fulfilled a student’s wish by mimicking a penguin’s waddle, joined by several others — creating a moment of pure joy and laughter.

When you’re visiting African penguins, what choice do you have but to waddle with them?!

As we ride the bus to a late lunch, a familiar lyric echoes in my mind — “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” It’s from the musical Wicked, and it feels like the perfect reflection of what this experience has meant. Saying goodbye to Noma and Zinhle — the incredible South African educators who joined us on this journey — will be especially hard, knowing our paths may never cross again. But each of us carries something lasting from the time we’ve shared. We are different now. Better. Wiser. And in the truest sense of the phrase — changed for good.

And so, I’ll close with a line from an earlier blog that still holds true:

You don’t just visit South Africa.
You fall into it — heart first.
So deep and so suddenly, you don’t even realize it’s happening…
until you’ve already changed.
Forever — and beautifully.
— unknown

As we took in the breathtaking scenery, we watched seals playing in the turquoise waves below.

South Africa

“Burnt Toast Theory”

July 31, 2025 - 2 Comments

Burnt toast theory states that minor inconveniences can turn out to be blessings in disguise, and today highlighted this for us.

This morning we started with a much more than minor inconvenience when we arrived to breakfast to find out that it was too windy to go whale watching. This was a bucket list item for almost every one of us, and when it was confirmed that we couldn’t go and that it couldn’t be rescheduled, there were actual tears for some of us. It felt like a major loss.

We pivoted like we have had to do several times on this trip, and went on a bird walk before heading to the beach instead. During our walk I kept waiting for something fun and magical to confirm that missing whales was worth it. And I couldn’t see it. Then we walked down to the beach, put our toes in the sand, collected shells, and tiptoed into the icy Indian Ocean.

How do you explore a new beach and ocean? Synchronized cartwheels in the sand!

Something we’ve noticed about this trip is that we are being required to slow down. Fast food isn’t what we’re used to. Chick-fil-A gets your meal to you with a “my pleasure” in less than 5 minutes. That’s not happening here, as it takes closer to 20. Restaurant service is even longer, and meals come 2-3 at a time. We find ourselves being impatient, trying to speed up processes. Then we talk about it with each other and realize how much we actually ENJOY slowing down. We ask ourselves what it would be like if we stopped rushing when we get home and if we didn’t put so much pressure on ourselves and each other.

Our time is quickly coming to an end and we are all feeling excited to see our families and homes. We are also feeling the pressure of life that awaits us. How can we find the balance of the calm we’ve found here with all that comes with returning home? We’ve watched South African sunrises and sunsets, taken long morning walks with giraffes and coffee, shared dinner with rhinos, and made memories with new friends. We have seen and felt so much here: joy, astonishment, love, fullness, and more that we can’t wait to take back to our families. When we go home we will be spread across the state, hours apart, no longer in dorm style bedrooms, sharing bathrooms and group dinners. We have met people who will now be our best friends, and now we will be apart.

Flavia, Michael, Christine, and Andrew on a windy St. Lucia beach.

Tonight’s sunset happened in the company of a hippo family. I think we can learn something about how to approach going home from them:

“Hippos, despite their size, offer subtle yet powerful lessons on embracing imperfection, finding peace in stillness, and maintaining healthy social bonds”.

Sunset with hippos in iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Three lessons were impressed upon us as we watched these graceful animals:

Embrace the mud and find comfort in imperfection. Hippos spend much of their time in mud, which represents the messy, imperfect parts of life.
Submerge yourself and find peace in stillness. Hippos are comfortable both in and out of the water, symbolizing the importance of finding moments of peace and quiet in our busy lives.
Know your people and make time with them. Celebrate and protect each other.

Our guides and drivers, Andrew and David, are leaving in the morning. Tonight we spent time reflecting on our highlights with each of them. At the end of the night Andrew said, “magic has happened here.” Each day in South Africa has been magic. We have been so blessed. We didn’t get to see whales today on the boat. But, we got to spend precious time slowing down together. Laughing, eating delicious food, and celebrating each other. We have just a few more days left before we get to bring this magic home. We can’t wait to slow down and share the sunrises and sunsets with you.

South Africa

“Reaching Your Finish Line”

July 28, 2025 - 5 Comments

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” – James Cash Penney

Some of the views within the Drakensberg Mountains.

Today was the most physically challenging day of the trip, and for some, of our lifetimes. While we were excited for the endless panoramic views of the Drakensberg Mountains, many of us felt the weight of the 13km hike ahead. Prepared with bellies full of granadilla yogurt and instant coffee, backpacks of water bottles and binoculars, and feet snuggly tucked into hiking boots, the 18 of us started the trek with our guides, Geoff and Teri.

The first kilometer of the trail was already no joke as a steep decline into the gorge from camp had us thinking, “we have to come back UP this??” After about an hour, our large group began to stretch like a slinky. As an out-and-back trail, you reach a point of no return. Our wide variety of ages, strengths, and athletic abilities started to challenge us. Geoff helped encourage us that even if we’re tired, we could still do more, but we also learned valuable lessons in listening to our bodies.

This trip has been an exceptional moment of pause for so many of us, which is ironic given our sunrise to sunset (and beyond!) daily itineraries. We’ve challenged ourselves since our first orientation in April to unplug and focus inward. We’ve been vulnerable with each other since we met at the airport 8 days ago, and open about what we need in order to experience success each day, whether that’s a nap, an ice cream bar, or someone to process the day with. Today, we saw 18 people with 18 different goals and finish lines. Some people were determined to make it to the gorge 6.5km away. Some knew their body might have some limitations, and were open to asking for breaks or help. Some were fulfilled by finding a perfect rock to relax on and reflect. What transpired was a clear example of teamwork and cheerleading. We helped our walking buddy scale rock “steps,” carried heavy binoculars for each other, and shared snacks. Leaders selflessly walked back and forth delivering lunches and guiding different groups to meet their own finish lines. As the gorge group made their way back along the trail, the three groups slowly regathered and shared their individual experiences of the day. Once we powered up the last steep climb at the end (or beginning) of the trail, we rewarded ourselves with our favorite South African sweets and sodas, yoga, and a pizza dance party.

South Africa

“What the Bush Gave Us”

July 23, 2025 - 8 Comments

Sunrise Game Drive-Day 1 Kruger 5:00 AM

“Do you have time to….just be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world?” Mary Oliver

For the lioness and her cub

For the giraffe and her baby

For the elephant chasing his mama’s tail

To watch the sunrise over Southern Africa?

This morning, our driver Peter warned us that we may not see what we wanted. We would only see what the bush would give us. And this morning, the bush was incredibly generous.

There were so many moments on our first game drive that stole our breaths from our lungs. We held on to each other, eyes big, looking at each other. Asking “is this real?” It was real. This morning we entered their territory. We breathed their air. You could feel the rumble of the mama lion in your chest as she chided her too playful cub.

Many of us were shocked to find that we weren’t incredibly disgusted to watch a pack of wild dogs consume an impala in under 5 minutes.

African Wild Dogs (or Painted Wolves as they’re becoming known) eating an impala carcass.

We squealed as an elephant family walked toward us, the tiniest baby chasing mama’s tail, and catching it. Some of us even got chastised for leaning too far outside the vehicle (even teachers forget the rules, sometimes).

A group of female elephants and their young paraded by our vehicle.

Several giraffes surprised us, seemingly out of nowhere, their majesty overtaking us. We celebrated small rhino families, that are slowly taking what has been stolen from them.

We were so alive this morning. Together, in one place, in a broken world. Taking time to just be…16 strangers holding hands and sharing a once in a lifetime experience. Falling in love with South Africa and Kruger.

Jane Goodall said “there is a timeless quality to the African wilderness, a sense of peace and belonging that I haven’t found anywhere else in the world.”

It was peaceful to let the world steal our breath in a good way, for a moment. When was the last time you stopped and watched and waited and let life tell you what you needed? When you took only what was given and didn’t ask for more or what was next?

Take a chance and be open. You may find exactly you need, even if you thought it wasn’t what you wanted.

Sunset over the southern part of Kruger National Park.

Yellowstone in Winter

“When One Adventure Ends, Another Begins”

January 17, 2023 - 1 Comment

Although we flew home today, we squeezed in one more adventure. With the help of Ranger Mike, we toured around Mammoth Hot Springs. We followed the snowy boardwalks as the sun rose over Mt. Everts to see the travertine terraces. Steam from the ever-changing geothermal features surrounded us as we listened to Ranger Mike use analogy and humor to educate the group. We compared the Upper Geyser Basin where Old Faithful is located to the Mammoth Hot Springs where we now stood. Ranger Mike explained the travertine terraces build up quickly but non-violently while the geyserite deposits of the Upper Geyser Basin build up slowly but can be violent.

After braving our coldest morning (2 degrees Fahrenheit) yet we packed up our luggage to head home to North Carolina. As we drove from the North Yellowstone Lodge in Gardiner, MT to the Bozeman Airport we continued to use our newly developed wildlife spotting skills. The group finally saw the eighth ungulate, the elusive white-tailed deer. Golden eagles, bald eagles, magpies, elk, ravens and a possible carcass party were spotted along our drive.

We arrived at the Bozeman Airport and had come to terms with our grand Yellowstone adventure ending. The once group of strangers knew our newly developed friendships and passion for education would continue to grow. The ideas of bringing Yellowstone to our own classrooms flew out of our mouths as we chatted about the past week.

Through this experience both our eyes and hearts were opened to the importance of conservation of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Our first national park, now 150 years old, is the home of various extraordinary species that need to be protected, studied and learned from. Through the continued preservation of this special place, future generations will have the opportunity to experience all the magical wonders Yellowstone for themselves.

Yellowstone in Winter

“A Week of Firsts”

January 10, 2020 - 2 Comments

Brittany tries out her new parka to get ready for Yellowstone in winter.

I have never really considered myself adventurous. Sure, I’ve been here and there on vacation or for work, but on those trips I pretty much knew what to expect. Next week, I will be embarking on a true journey that will be full of the unexpected. One that will probably prove to be very adventurous. A week from today I will be at Yellowstone National Park with an amazing group of educators and scientists exploring all that nature has to offer.

There are so many “firsts” for me in this journey. My first time west of the Mississippi, my first time on an airplane, the first time I’ve been away from home this far away or for this long, and most importantly my first true adventure without friends or family (although I’m certain I’ll make plenty of friends during this adventure). This is a real leap out of my comfort zone, and I can’t wait to see how I’ll learn and grow from this.

I began preparing for this trip when I found out I was accepted into this program in September. I’ve been getting out in nature more, trying to walk and exercise more, watching documentaries and reading about the park, and acquiring gear to keep me from turning into a snowman (shout out to my parents for getting me the gift of not freezing to death for Christmas, LOL). I feel like getting to this point has been a journey of its own. Even with all this preparation, I still feel that I could never fully be ready for all this trip will show me. I know there will be sights, experiences, and emotions I’m not expecting, but I’m so excited to begin this journey with this amazing group of adventurers!

May this trip be filled with wonder, laughter, growth, and safe travels!

~Brittany White, Science Educator, Edgecombe Early College High School