Mr. Nichols takes on South Africa
Many teachers don’t get opportunities to travel to different parts of the country with their career and teach different kids. But it is different for Jeremy Nichols, a Parkway South High School history teacher, has traveled to many different countries outside of the United States including the most recent trip to South Africa. Nichols also said it cost him around $3,000 to go on the trip.
Nichols commented on about how he found out about the trip.
“I have been working within a program out of Maryville University known as Global Awareness and Civic Education (GACE). Through this program, I have traveled with other teachers to Morocco, Poland, and South Africa. So, it was through this group that I learned about the trip. If I am lucky, I will get a chance to travel with the group again in the future. Or, I may get a chance to travel with another program. However it happens, I’m pretty sure South Africa will not be the last country I visit,” Nichols said.
There’s always many things that the teachers in the United States could learn from the teachers in other countries. Also, there are different techniques that the teachers can use in their classroom in the United States that the other countries used.
Dr. Wilhelm, a Parkway South High School Administrator, explained to me what he thought teachers could use in their classroom from other countries the visit.
“The teachers can learn about new ways to engage students in activities and discussions. Also first hand info and more details about the country then the books give.”
There are many cool things that you could see in different countries and experience. Nichols commented on two things that he liked the most about his experience.
“I enjoyed learning what the students thought about the U.S. history. I liked being able to compare the young democracy of South Africa to the much older democracy of the United States,” said Nichols.
Nichols continued and commented on the second experience on the trip that really stood out to him.
“The second thing that stands out is the wildlife I saw. I cannot believe I had a chance to see animals in the wild which I had only ever seen in the zoo or on the television. At one game reserve, I saw penguins whose chicks had recently hatched. Later in the trip, my group went on a safari and I saw rhinos, zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeests, and warthogs,” said Nichols.
Sometimes you can use many different things you learn from other countries in the classes you teach or classes you are in. Nichols thought that there is so much to use in classes, but not sure what he will do with it yet. Nichols said what he will use so far in his classes from the trip.
“There’s so much I plan to use in my classroom. First, when I teach government, I’ll be able to talk about the same problems each democracy is facing. Second, when I teach psychology, I can talk about the cultural differences and ideas of community importance versus individualism. Third, I can share my own personal growth to enhance my teaching about a variety of topics. Finally, I hope to use ideas on community involvement to strengthen my government curriculum,” Nichols said.
Nichols explained later that that stuff that he plans to use so far just scratches the surface.
“It will take some time to figure out all that I will use by the end of the year,” he said.
When teachers talk about trips or experiences they had in the past or some that are more recent in their classes, the students sometimes take it in as something they would like to in the future. Other students think about it as a way to expand their career in the future if they are thinking about becoming teacher once they graduate. Other students never want go on trips like their teachers because of all the rumors they hear or the different kinds of diseases that the country has.
Senior Gabby McClard said, why she would take on a trip like Nichols.
“Yes I would, because I can influence our children in a positive way in other countries,” she said.
Senior Isis Bryant said, she wants to take on an experience like Nichols did.
“I’m a very inter personal person and I want to become a teacher in the future so this type of experience would help with my career,” she said.
When teachers and coworkers hear about trips or experiences that another teacher went on such as Nichols they tend to ask more questions or know more about it. Sometimes they want to experience something like Nichols did.
Dr. Wilhelm, a Parkway South High School Administrator, said why he would go on a trip like Nichols.
“Heck yes I would. It would be cool to see other cultures, parts of the world, and countries,” he said.
Nichols commented on if he would ever suggest this type of experience to anyone.
“Without a doubt. Not only would I suggest this trip to other teachers for the classroom and cultural experience, but I would tell my friends and family that they need to find a way to vacation in South Africa. You don’t have to be a teacher to find something worth seeing there,” he said.
Not all people go to the beach for vacations, there are other places outside of the country that would be good vacation spots and fun to go to.
Nichols commented on why he chose to go to South Africa.
“There are a number of reasons I wanted to go. I have been to a handful of countries outside of the United States and I have enjoyed experiencing different cultures and different environments. I have wanted to go on an African safari for sometime and I also wanted to see the Indian Ocean,” he said.
Nichols later explained why he would definitely go back to South Africa.
“It’s a beautiful country with a rich history. I know there is a lot I did not get to see and experience and I would like to go back to explore what I missed. Also, the people I met there were so friendly; I hope I get a chance to be in their company again someday,” he said.
Comparing different schools in the United States there are not many differences. But when you compare schools in different countries there are several differences but one main one.
Nichols explains what the biggest difference was and why that was such a big difference from the schools in the United States.
“The biggest difference is what we have. Many people don’t realize all that we have here at school. From clubs to sports team, we offer many more extra-curricular activities in the U.S. than anywhere else I have visited. We have so much more technology and much better facilities and equipment. One school I visited had a computer lab with only five computers in it. Another school had no cafeteria. One school had classrooms which were made out of old cargo shipping containers. We really have a lot here and all of us (students and teachers) should do a better job appreciating it and taking care of it,” he said.
In the end South Africa seems like a cool country to go to. Before you wouldn’t think about going there because of all the diseases and different problems they have there. It scares most people to even think about going to South Africa.
Nichols told us he had one word that would describe his whole trip.
“Amazing,”said Nicholas.