Global Patriots Group Leaders:
Group Leader: Deb HoldenWhy I Travel With Students: I think that World Travel is the best way to help create well-rounded human beings. At a developmental stage, students are capable of absorbing so much and travel experience for them results in a deeper understanding of culture and a new level of acceptance for all that is new and unfamiliar to them. While most students grow to love and respect the World around them, all students are gaining experiences they will always remember while traveling with me on tour.
Why I travel with Group Tours: Group travel provides the best experience for students - the safety measures are incomparable - the value is unbeatable - and the experiences that tour travel brings to students is once in a lifetime. For many travelers, this will be the first time traveling abroad... and others without their parents - a sense of independence is built and an expansion of wonder. |
Where I'm from: I've lived all over the States! I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but I lived a good portion of my childhood near Cleveland, OH, where I finished my BA at Marietta College of Ohio as well. I've traveled for different jobs for chunks of time to Utah, Michigan, South Carolina, and Connecticut. I've traveled all over the world, but my most memorable (and influential_ experience was my year as a foreign exchange student in Lachendorf, Germany. It was there that I learn a second language in depth, more about myself, and became a part of my world family.
Teaching: I've been a teacher since I started working as a Wilderness Therapy Counselor in Utah for children that grew up in rough situations and needed to make major life changes. I helped to bring fun and joy to campers in Connecticut as well as a Sports Director and lifeguard at Camp Chinqueka before I started taking formal teaching positions after college. I've taught in Ohio and North Carolina in the sciences and Career and Technical Education at the High School and Middle School level. I've enjoyed teaching for the ability to bring fun and unforgettable learning experiences to children!
I currently work at Pinecrest teaching the Adobe Academy. |
Group Leader: Elena Samkin
My name is Elena Samkin and I teach Social Studies at Pinecrest. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I was 4 years old, my family moved to Chicago, Illinois. The summer before my 8th grade year, we moved to Miami, Florida. During my junior year in high school, I participated in a semester abroad in Israel. This is when I realized that I was a citizen of a much greater world and I knew that traveling, visiting and learning about other cultures would be something that I would do whenever possible. My favorite subjects in school were always history classes and Journalism. When I graduated from Fayetteville State University I worked as a reporter for the Fayetteville Observer. After a few years I realized that my greatest love was history and I knew I wanted to share that passion to young people. I started my teaching career in a high school in Miami and later moved to San Antonio, Texas and now here in the great community of Pinecrest High School.
In the summer of my senior year in college, I lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I have also been fortunate to travel to England, France, and Egypt. In June of 2018, I participated in a Worldstrides/Explorica tour of Italy with Pinecrest High School students. That culturally, amazing experience made me realize that I wanted to lead my own trip.
In late June of 2020, I will lead a tour of Pinecrest HS students to Greece. With its rich history and culture, Greece will be a trip of a lifetime. I hope you will join us on this amazing journey.
Group Leader: Sharon Manies
Sharon LOVES cows - and kids too. Traveling is a new hobby that has already brought about some amazing adventures (and COWS) in agriculture and brought the world of farming alive for many Patriots! Check out Mrs. Manie's Ag related trips and get a mooove on your sign ups!
Group Leader: Jennifer Patterson
Art Trips Group Leaders: Chris Wilson and Ellen Duncan
Ellen and Chris are Pinecrest's amazing art teachers! Art history is RICH and best seen through international travel! Ellen and Chris offer international trips to their art students to some of the most beautiful and richest art locations in the world! If you're into art and travel, take art courses and find out more!
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Science Trip Group Leader: Christina Thrower
Hello, My name is Christina Thrower! I love ALL things SCIENCE!! I teach Physical Science to mostly 10th graders. I am looking forward to teaching students about science throughout the world! I think giving students the opportunity to travel the would at a young age allows them to see their life from a different perspective. I love exploring. Hiking, camping and being outside are a few of my most favorite things. I look forward to traveling with you!
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