Khamphet Pease

Khamphet Pease is a teacher of STEAM, including 3D modeling, robotics and computer science, at Wilson Middle School in San Diego, California.

At school, she’s the advisor for multiple clubs, including Lego League Robotics, Remote Operated Vehicles and The Gaming Club. And of course, she also brings her students around the world, including trips to Japan, South Korea, DC and New York, along with California college campus visits.

From the Nominator:

How does this educator incorporate travel into their program?

If Superwoman were a real person, her name would be Mrs. Kamphet Pease. She teaches at a Title I School where a majority of the students come from low-income families. She has taught there for the past 20 years, and is an amazing educator.

Traveling enables you to open up your eyes to someone else’s world and inside their lifestyle. In Japan, Mrs. Pease was able to allow her students to feel like a citizen of Japan. From learning how to take the transit system and riding the bullet train, to visiting the most exciting wonders of the world: Mount Fuji, Tokyo Skytree Tower (one of the largest towers in the world), and Crossing Shibuya (the busiest crosswalk in the world).

They even made sushi as well as matcha and enjoyed karaoke. They also enjoyed going to a restaurant that was advanced in technology and only used robots. The students learned about a different culture and discovered new things about robotics.

From Mrs. Pease:

Why are you passionate about student travel?

I am passionate about student travel because it expands what students believe is possible for their lives.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as the students that I teach and, aside from first coming to the US as a refugee from Laos, I didn’t do any traveling until I was an adult! Many of my students come from communities where international travel feels out of reach, not just financially, but mentally. They don’t always see themselves as the kind of people who explore the world, engage with new cultures, or step into global careers. Travel changes that in an instant.

When students navigate a train system in Tokyo, collaborate across language barriers, or see innovation in another country firsthand, they begin to see themselves differently. They gain confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging in a much larger world.

For me, student travel is about equity. It’s about giving students access to experiences that open doors, not just academically, but personally. It helps them realize that the world is theirs to explore, and that they have a place in it.

What is a major highlight from any of your student travel experiences?

One of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced was during our STEM trip to Japan.

We had a student who had never been outside of our city, let alone the country. At the beginning of the trip, they were quiet, hesitant, and unsure of themselves. But over the course of the experience through navigating public transportation, engaging with new technology, and interacting with people from a completely different culture, I was able to watch that student transform.

Toward the end of the trip, they confidently led their group through a busy train station in Tokyo, helping others problem-solve and stay on track. It was such a simple moment on the surface, but it represented something much bigger.

That moment reminded me that travel doesn’t just create memories. It reveals leadership, builds confidence, and changes how students see themselves and their capabilities.

How do you try to tie your travel experiences back into the classroom?

I intentionally design my classroom so that travel is not a one-time experience and that it becomes part of an ongoing learning journey.

Before we go on trips, students engage in research, cultural exploration, and problem-solving activities tied to our destination. During the trip, they document their experiences through reflections, photos, and storytelling.

After we return, that’s when the real magic happens. Students bring their experiences into projects, whether they are designing solutions inspired by global innovations, creating presentations that connect cultural insights to STEM concepts, or mentoring younger students by sharing what they’ve learned.

I also use their stories as inspiration for others. When students see their peers traveling, growing, and succeeding, it creates a ripple effect that builds a culture of possibility on our campus.

Photo courtesy of Khamphet Pease.