Kirsten Salonga

Kirsten Salonga is an environmental science teacher at Justice High School in Falls Church, Virginia.

She frequently works to get grants that allow her students at the Title I school to enjoy rigorous activities both within and outside the classroom, including trips to Ecuador, Great Falls National Park and more. In addition, all students in her classes are Multilingual Learners Levels 1 and 2, so they are just starting to learn English. “Because my students come from a variety of countries (with some arriving to the U.S. as little as a month prior to my class!), I incorporate my travels as much as possible, especially from countries in which my students have either lived or would like to visit,” said Salonga.

How do you incorporate travel into the curriculum?

I believe that students should experience place-based learning as often as possible. However, as a Title I School, finding the funds to take students on excursions can be difficult. Because of this, I have often sought (and received) grants to provide my students with rigorous activities both within and outside the classroom! In 2019, I took kids from all over Fairfax County Public Schools to Ecuador in a service-learning project, in which we spent two weeks learning about Ecuadorian culture and helping to build a school in the Amazon through a partnership with Education First Tours. I was even able to offer one of our students at Justice High School a full-ride scholarship!

With regards to my science classroom, I apply for and receive a grant every year to take my students to Great Falls National Park. Although our school is only 45 minutes away from Great Falls, most students are not aware that it exists. Over 95% of my students have never visited a national park, as they live in the urban environment in Falls Church, VA. Many do not have much experience outdoors and rarely walk a path that is not pavement/concrete. To solidify concepts learned within my class (such as weathering, erosion, and native vs. invasive species) and “bring science to life”, I ask them to analyze the wildlife and lithosphere at Great Falls! They have been baffled by the power and beauty of the massive waterfalls, and the sight of them experiencing nature through travel and place-based learning has been some of my proudest moments.

What is a major highlight from your student travel experiences?

This past week, I took students to Shenandoah National Park for the first time! I was incredibly grateful to have applied for and received a $4300 grant with the National Park Service, as this trip would not have been possible without this funding. As the lead of this field trip, I coordinated all aspects of the excursion: approval, coordination of teacher and administrative chaperones with student groups, organizing meals and transportation, and coordinating grant funding disbursement with both the National Park Service and our school administration.

I surveyed my students prior to our trip, and none of them had ever visited Shenandoah National Park or seen mountains as vast as those in the images I had shown them. We also learned about the job of a National Park Ranger through our virtual meetings with the Park Service, exposing students to potential future careers and building excitement for our trip!

Upon entering the park, I teared up watching my students pile up on the side of the bus with a view as we traveled up the mountain. Memories of students hiking for the first time and drawing their observations are among my favorite moments of teaching. Students were so excited to be on the trails, that some of them ran up some of the steepest parts! The student chatter that filled the bus on our way to the park was diminished to hushed tones on our way back, and when I turned around to look at my students, their sleepy faces was proof that they had an exciting (albeit tiring) adventure!

Upon our return, I surveyed the students about their experiences in the trip. Here are a few of my favorite responses:

“My experience was very good. I was so excited because I hadn’t been to the Shenandoah and it was so much fun. We helping to keep them clean, supporting park maintenance, volunteering, and advocating for parks. I had a lot of fun with my friends and we enjoyed the scenery. I learned to spend time with nature. I learn that our watershed is important. I learn about the type of animals that are there. I would love to go again!”

“My experience at Shenandoah National Park was breathtaking; the majesty of the waterfalls and the hiking was an unforgettable day in nature. The most exciting part of our field trip was explore the unique land and learn about the natural history of the area—it was a perfect adventure and education! I learn about some think like this park another state have to and there was like history place. I would love to again.”

“When we got there the sound of bird calmed me down and the fresh air was passing through. when we began to walk it was kind of cold that made me wish to have brought a jacket. upon getting to mountains and saw the water flows made me realize that there is a full world to get to know. a moment that made me forget about phones, liked it. What excited me the most was that I had the opportunity to experience the beauty of the nature. I learned that an environment is good when it is taken cared for people. Yes! I would love to go again!”

What do you appreciate about working with your tour operator?

I have loved that Education First has been so accommodating to students and educators alike. The trips are incredibly organized, including pre-departure meetings and in-country guides, and I was never unsure about any plans even prior to departure. By giving us a mixture of both cultural experiences and volunteerism, I appreciate that students receive a more holistic view of society and a greater understand (and respect) for others. My experience with them strengthens my confidence in my ability to lead students on any trip and further inspires domestic trips to include the same mixture of content experiences and civic engagement. As an Environmental Science Teacher, I can easily connect the environments that we experience to human impacts and our own responsibility to form sustainable solutions, and this would not be possible without the organization and preparation that Education First provides.

Photo courtesy of Kirsten Salonga.