When In Rome
World Class Teaching Through Travel
By Leticia Cavazos, Middle School History Teacher
When applying for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, the destination wasn’t hard to choose. Visiting Rome had been a dream of mine since high school.
I was inspired by my Latin teacher, Ms. Lawrence, who had the ability to bring the beauty of this ancient city to life, as well as the language itself. I loved learning about its architecture and the role it played in the establishment of the Western world. Fast forward to today: I have been teaching a unit on ancient Rome ever since starting here at Trinity in 2017.
Many schools talk a big game about professional development, but Trinity Episcopal School truly puts its money where its mouth is. Among many other opportunities, teachers at both Trinity and Blue House Preschool can apply for the Arzonetti-McClure Travel Fund. As you have probably guessed, I ended up receiving the grant! In the fall of 2024, I finally had a chance to visit the Eternal City and bring that experience back to my classroom.
All Roads Lead to Rome
Exploring new places creates lifelong memories while also providing fresh insights that can be brought back into the classroom to inspire learners. My ability to show first-hand pictures of significant sites, such as Pompeii and the Pantheon, allows me to provide a more personal touch to my lesson delivery. Students love and latch onto those small details that make history come to life.
For example, Pompeii has a small group of cats that live amongst the ruins where tourists and residents alike feed and care for them. The pictures I have of those cats walking among the ancient structures help students connect with the people of long ago. Ancient Romans also had cats and pets they loved – it makes students think about their own pets, and their own daily lives. It’s just one more way to cultivate a sense of empathy for those who lived thousands of years ago.
Additionally, exposure to diverse landscapes, architecture, and artistic expressions sparks creativity, influencing new approaches to education. I have taught hundreds of students about the Pantheon — one of the best preserved buildings in antiquity — and only ever studied it from an ancient perspective. I had no idea that it had more “modern” touches, such as being the burial site of the famous Renaissance artist Raphael. Through visiting the site and going on a tour, I was still able to learn a new tidbit about a place I have studied and learned about for years.
Do as the Romans Do
So many parts of my trip seemed memorable to me - from the initial view of the mountains from the plane, to the beauty of the stunning frescoes in the Villa Borghese. Even the small, everyday things like ordering a cup of coffee (cappuccino, of course) were served with a smidgen of adventure. Immersing oneself in different traditions and ways of life deepens understanding and cultivates adaptability, qualities essential for both educators and students.
To my surprise, despite all of the physical beauty around me, the Roman people themselves were the best part of the trip. Every person my sister and I met was warm, welcoming, and proud to show off their beautiful city. Their lovely faces are the best memory I have of my time in Rome. Travel strengthens connections, not only by meeting new people but also by deepening bonds with colleagues and students through shared experiences.
Teachers Were Not Built in a Day
Travel is a valuable experience that broadens perspectives and fosters both personal and intellectual growth. As a teacher, I see travel as a powerful educational tool, offering firsthand lessons in history, culture, and language that no textbook can fully capture. Whether for personal enrichment or professional growth, travel is a transformative experience that enhances both teaching and learning.
The Arzonetti-McClure Travel Fund does more than just provide teachers with new experiences they can bring into the classroom. It reinforces the idea that teachers themselves matter. When teachers decide to leave the profession, many often cite the fact that the job of educator isn’t seen as valuable or worthwhile in American society. Investing in teachers as people, helping them restore their love of learning within themselves, is the most valuable component of the Arzonetti-McClure Travel Fund.
As an educator, this trip transcended an average professional development. The grant gave me the ability to decide for myself what I wanted to get out of the experience. Teachers are rarely given the ability to cultivate their own experiences. Typically, it has to fit within specific learning parameters or objectives. This time, I was trusted to just create my own experience, purely based on what I love about the content I teach. Stepping away from daily routines relieves stress, reenergizing both the mind and spirit, which is crucial for maintaining passion in teaching. As an educator and as a human, that felt incredibly freeing.