| Over the past 25 years I have worked with | | | | that students had a thorough visit to Washington |
| many K-12 teachers to organize student trips to | | | | D.C." When visiting any destination, adaptability and |
| Washington D.C. This spring I received a thank | | | | problem solving can make all of the difference. |
| you letter from Shawn Tierney, a teacher at | | | | Tierney commented that, "the high point of the |
| Santa Rita High School in Tucson, Arizona, detailing | | | | trip was when we were able to meet with our |
| specific aspects of a trip to Washington D.C. that | | | | Congressional District Representative on the steps |
| made it a "resounding success." | | | | of the Capitol within 24 hours of the Health Care |
| I was happy to receive this detailed letter from | | | | Reform Bill being passed. This required an overhaul |
| Mr. Tierney. Parts of his commentary are included | | | | of the schedule, which Kelly handled with |
| in this article. Tierney reflects upon the important | | | | composure and enthusiasm." The experience of |
| aspects of student travel that help teachers and | | | | actually seeing the Congressional District |
| student tour companies to create a safe, | | | | representative following the passing of this |
| rewarding educational experience for all involved. | | | | historical bill was certainly a rare and rewarding |
| Travel can be an eye opening educational | | | | experience for the school group. Tierney recalled, |
| experience. For many student travelers, it may | | | | "the looks on the faces of our graduating seniors |
| even be their first time on an airplane or visiting a | | | | who saw, many for the first time, the interior of |
| large urban area. In this particular instance, a class | | | | the Capitol, made it all worthwhile." |
| traveled from Arizona to Washington D.C. - which | | | | Experienced Bus Drivers in Washington D.C. Save |
| is a significant distance. Some students may only | | | | Time by Averting Hassles and Hang-ups |
| make this trip once in a lifetime. | | | | Bus drivers with a thorough knowledge of the |
| In order for a student trip to be a memorable | | | | streets of Washington D.C. as well as appropriate |
| and pleasurable learning experience, coordination | | | | places to load and unload large groups when |
| among a variety of individuals is necessary. A | | | | entering museums, government buildings, and |
| qualified student travel company will hire the most | | | | other destinations, can save time on student trips. |
| capable professionals. Student trips are influenced | | | | Shawn Tierney is a Washington D.C. native, so he |
| by: tour escorts, bus drivers, restaurant owners | | | | knows full well the pitfalls and delays that might |
| and managers, hotel managers, security guards, | | | | await any large school group or individual when |
| administrators and docents at various destinations, | | | | winding through the streets of the city. According |
| and the educational travel company. Of course | | | | to Tierney, the bus driver, Bob Pearl, had, |
| teachers, students and chaperons are key to an | | | | "knowledge of the maze of streets in D.C. This |
| excellent trip as well. When everyone works | | | | was critical in making many of our scheduled |
| together in a synchronized way the trip is bound | | | | appointments. He did an excellent job of managing |
| to be successful. | | | | the one way streets and constant construction |
| Starting the Trip on the Right Foot: Ground | | | | and security restrictions." The bus driver was also |
| Transportation to the Phoenix Airport | | | | "always mindful for the safety of the students." |
| Trip planning is a key foundation for success. The | | | | The fact that the bus driver and the tour guide |
| less a teacher has to worry about the details, the | | | | worked well together created a smooth trip. |
| more he or she can focus on the educational | | | | Santa Rita High School students went on a four |
| objectives of the trip. Shawn Tierney mentioned | | | | day, three night trip to Washington D.C. that |
| he was relieved his selected ground transportation | | | | included: Arlington National Cemetery, Ford's |
| company, Mountain View Tours, has "bus drivers | | | | Theatre, Smithsonian American and Natural |
| that were accessible and ready when we needed | | | | History Museum, a visit to the Supreme Court as |
| ground transportation in Arizona. It was as | | | | well as the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Navy Memorial, |
| comforting to see the white bus turning into the | | | | Washington National Cathedral, the Holocaust |
| school parking lot early Saturday morning, as it | | | | Museum, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, and |
| was to receive a call from the bus driver in | | | | Mount Vernon. |
| Phoenix who was ready to pick us up at the | | | | Even though Santa Rita High School's itinerary was |
| airline terminal upon our return." | | | | full - there are even more worthwhile educational |
| Tour guides & Teachers Can Make or Break a | | | | destinations to see in Washington D.C. For the |
| Student Trip | | | | March 2011 trip, Tierney plans to add another |
| When a tour guide and a teacher work well | | | | night so more destinations may be included. He |
| together, a school trip is sure to go smoothly. | | | | also indicated he'd start planning in August 2010. |
| Kelly Everett was the licensed Washington D.C. | | | | Planning a student trip to Washington D.C. six |
| tour guide assigned to work with Santa Rita High | | | | months to one year in advance is always wise, |
| School students and tour leaders. Tierney says, | | | | especially if teachers want student groups to gain |
| "She was informative, proactive, and flexible. She | | | | admission to the Capitol, White House, or |
| made suggestions due to weather and traffic so | | | | Pentagon when visiting. |