Exploring the vast oceans of life, learning and love

This line from a poem by an incredibly talented poet that I know has become something of a creed for me and family.  Like the expansive oceans, it is difficult for our limited human brains to comprehend the enormity and endless possibilities in life.  We never know when we will encounter a person or have an experience that transforms our lives.  Traveling to Jamaica for a Tropical Marine Biology course when I was 20 years old was one such experience for me, although I did not realize it at the time.  Like most of my students on this trip, it was my first time on an airplane and my first time traveling outside of the United States.  Little did I realize that this trip ignited a passion for travel that I never knew was there.  Since this trip in 1995, I have traveled internationally every year since, filling all the pages on two passports (something I take great pride in).  It has been the journeys and people encountered that I value more than the ink on any pages.  The professor of the Marine Biology course, Dr Eugene Kaplan, who later became my mentor, did what all great teachers do; he pushed me to learn beyond what I thought I was capable of.  That experience inspired me to become a Biology major, which lead me to become a science teacher at Satellite Academy High School.  Satellite Academy has been one of the great loves of my life.  The Satellite Academy community is unique in the sense that we don’t subscribe to the theory that school should be a sterile environment.  We are not shy to say that we love our students or to give them a hug when they need a hug. I know this will be an unforgettable experience in the lives of my students, perhaps transformative for some.   Students have discovered an interest in learning about the environment and nature that will have a lasting impact.  This study abroad experience to Costa Rica has deepened my love for the students who embarked on this unforgettable journey.   I am so proud of my students for so many reasons:  stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing the experience, taking care of and supporting one another like the family we are, asking thoughtful questions and grappling with complex ideas, pushing themselves and staying positive during our intense 18 hour daily schedule for eight straight days.   As we come to the end of our study experience in Costa Rica, I encourage all of my students to stay open to new experiences and possibilities.  Keep exploring the vast oceans of life learning and love.