Young World Travelers' Photo Books

Funded May 17, 2018

I would like to thank you again for funding my Young World Travelers Photo Book project. Words can not express how grateful I am to you. Seeing my students' faces light up when I told them our photo books were funded, and seeing their expressions on their faces when they saw the actual photo books, were absolutely priceless and extraordinary. My students' elated, delightful faces reminded me of why I became a teacher in the first place.

The reason I became a teacher was because I wanted to make a difference by teaching young people how to "go where they need to go" in life. Taking them to the French Canadian cities of Montreal and Quebec has not only exposed them to a new country and culture, but also has caused them to want to learn and see even more of the world. We took a countless amount of pictures during our trip, and after the trip I asked my students to choose at least one picture and explain why it is their favorite. They were also asked to write about what they learned about themselves and others from the trip. One student wrote, "We do not realize that the differences we have are what keeps up balanced and equal; our weakness is someone else's strength and vice versa." Another student wrote, "When you start to learn new things, such as ways you're not accustomed to, it can teach you so much more and even change you as a person." Putting this all in one photo book was my way of congratulating them on their beginning of a lifelong journey, where they will continue to travel. Thus, the photo book is not only full of photos taken during the trip, but also with their valuable memories and reflections. Additionally, my students are able to have something tangible with memories from the trip -- not just photos on their phones.

My students will remember the trip and have proof that they went, saw and learned. Because of your generosity, my students are able to see the beginning of their lifelong journeys to becoming global citizens, in a form of a photo book. Once again, I thank you.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Ito