US Embassy in Dakar 🇺🇸🇸🇳

Today was our first full day exploring Dakar, and it did not disappoint. We started the morning with breakfast on the hotel patio, which sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean. From there, we headed to the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. After navigating tight yet efficient security (with repeated reminders that absolutely no photos were permitted, they were very serious about this), we were welcomed by embassy officials for our orientation and health and safety briefing. The visit offered a fascinating window into the embassy's role in supporting educational and cultural exchange programs like ours. We spent the morning deep in conversation about Senegalese schools, from the country's 14 Inspector Authorities to national initiatives like Miss Science and Miss Math, which are actively working to close the gender gap in education. We also learned about Senegal's ongoing debt crisis and its direct impact on schools, a sobering reality in a country where all public education is fully government-funded. The conversation ranged widely, and there was no shortage of moments that made me think differently about challenges I assumed were uniquely American.

One of the most meaningful parts of the morning was hearing about the relationship between the United States and Senegal, and why international partnerships in education matter so much. As teachers, we talk all the time about preparing students to be global citizens. Sitting in that embassy conference room in Dakar, I felt the full weight of what that phrase actually means. Programs like this don't just broaden our perspective; they remind us that education, at its best, is a bridge. Every connection made between educators across cultures ultimately finds its way back to students on both sides of the ocean.

In the afternoon, we were scheduled to visit the Museum of Black Civilizations. We arrived to find it closed. No explanation, no sign, just a gate attendant who turned us away. We all laughed and said, "Welcome to Senegal," and honestly, that felt about right. There's a rhythm to life here that doesn't always bend to itineraries, and learning to roll with it is definitely a requirement here. So we pivoted to a nearby market. 

The colors hit you first, bolts of bright fabric in deep indigo and burnt orange stacked next to hand-carved wooden masks and vivid sand paintings. Every vendor greeted us warmly, calling out hellos and the phrase that became the soundtrack of the afternoon: "Looking is free!" Which is true because negotiation is very real here. Prices here are fluid, and first quotes are just the opening of a conversation. Somewhere around 50% off is where things tend to land if you're patient and willing to smile through the back-and-forth. It's less like shopping and more like a game of back-and-forth prices. I currently have approximately zero room left in my suitcase, so today was strictly a window-shopping day. But I'm carrying donations to my host community, and once those are unloaded, I'll have two gloriously empty bags and a very clear plan for how to fill them. The market will be waiting, and my suitcases will be ready...

 

Dakar, Senegal 🇸🇳

We’ve officially arrived in Dakar, Senegal! 🇸🇳 After a long travel day from Boston to New York and finally to Senegal, I made it to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. We made it through security and passport control relatively smoothly (even with my 54lb suitcase) and were greeted outside by our in-country consulate. 

The drive from the airport to Dakar gave us a small glimpse into life here. We saw streets filled with cars, taxis, buses, and kids, mostly boys, playing soccer. We also saw lots of coastal views as Dakar sits on the Atlantic Ocean.

After a quick rest, we jumped into our first programming session with an introduction to Senegalese history and culture. We learned about the country’s thirteen regions, traditional holidays, and explored key moments in its history and political landscape. We also learned that French is the official language of Senegal, but the majority of the population speaks Wolof. Because of this, it was important for us to begin learning a few common phrases. We practiced greetings like asalaam alaykum, and the response maalekum salaam, which translates to “peace be with you.” We also learned about culturally appropriate ways to greet others, especially as women, and the importance of taking time for conversation. What we might call “small talk” in the U.S. is anything but small here. It’s a meaningful and expected part of daily interactions. 

We ended our first day with a beautiful dinner right along the ocean. I ordered Thieboudienne, the national dish of Senegal, which is rice and fish cooked with vegetables and rich flavor. I definitely ate some things that I have no idea what they were, but it was delicious! As the sun went down, it actually got a little cold, which is not something I expected to be saying while in Senegal, as it only sits 14 degrees from the equator.  It's hard to believe this was only day 1, as it was filled with lots of learning, listening, and experiencing life here in Senegal. Can't wait for more tomorrow.

 

Fulbright Global Education Symposium

After months of learning, reflection, and preparation through the Fulbright Global Classroom coursework, it was finally time to head to Washington, D.C. for the Global Education Symposium. The symposium brought together more than one hundred Fulbright educators for an intensive few days of collaboration, conversation, and inspiration. Traveling from schools across the United States, we arrived with different subjects, grade levels, and experiences, but we shared a common goal, helping our students understand and engage with the wider world.

Throughout the symposium, I found myself continually energized by the people in the room. Educators shared stories of how they were weaving global perspectives into science lessons, literature discussions, art projects, and community partnerships. Every conversation seemed to spark a new idea and was a constant reminder that global education is not a separate subject, but a lens that can transform the way students see their place in the world.

One of the most meaningful moments for me was meeting the eleven other educators who will travel with me to Senegal in April. Each of us brings a different background and perspective, and together we began imagining how our shared experience in Senegal might shape the way we teach and the opportunities we create for our students. We also had an opportunity to connect with IREX and Department of State members, along with hearing the 2026 National Teacher of the Year speak.

Another highlight was visiting the Embassy of Senegal in Washington D.C. Stepping inside the embassy was a powerful reminder that the country we have been studying and preparing to visit is not just a destination on a map, but a place with deep culture, history, and people whose perspectives we are eager to learn from. The visit sparked conversations about culture, education, and the importance of approaching international exchange with curiosity, humility, and respect.

The symposium marked the end of our formal coursework, but it also felt like the beginning of something new. Soon, our cohort will travel to Senegal, where we will continue learning from educators, communities, and students there. I am excited to bring those experiences back to my classroom, helping my students, colleagues, and community see that the world is full of connections waiting to be explored. More to come from my field placement in Senegal.

 

The Explorers Club Monday Night Lecture

Last month, I stood at a podium that has hosted some of the most legendary voices in exploration from Jane Goodall, Sylvia Earle, to the Apollo 11 crew. To say I was honored would be an understatement. I was there to speak at The Explorers Club headquarters in New York City for an event celebrating something truly groundbreaking, the return of the inaugural Teacher Fellows Program from the Amazon's Boiling River. The fall lecture series kicked off with a night of stories from the 2025 Boiling River Expedition and what made this expedition different was who was on it. Four K-12 teachers, including myself, joined as full expedition members to one of the most extreme ecosystems on Earth. We're talking about a river that's up to 100 feet wide, 15 feet deep, flows for over four miles, and reaches temperatures over 200°F.

This wasn't just about teachers observing exploration. It was about teachers doing exploration, actively participating in research and conservation work. The Explorers Club created this program to bring together teachers and explorers like never before, and to set new standards for how exploration is done.

The event at The Explorers Club headquarters brought together explorers, educators, scientists, and supporters to hear about our experiences in the field. We celebrated the successful return of TEC Flag 114 and the Rolex Expedition Watch Explorer II, but more importantly, we shared how this expedition is already transforming our classrooms. 

I had the chance to speak about how I brought the Boiling River back to my 4th graders in Middleton, Massachusetts, through immersive VR experiences that let them stand on the same rocks I stood on and experience the Boiling River in 360°. This was then the catalyst to spark local action. The audience Q&A afterward sparked wonderful conversations about the future of exploration and education.

What struck me most about the evening was the shared belief in the room that when you connect teachers with exploration, you multiply the impact exponentially. It's not just one person on one expedition, it's entire classrooms, schools, and communities that benefit.

This inaugural program proved that teachers belong in the field as full expedition members, and that the work of exploration doesn't end when you leave. It continues in classrooms where the next generation of explorers and environmental champions are being inspired.

I'm honored to have been part of this first cohort and to help usher in what I believe will become a flagship program at The Explorers Club. Here's to many more teachers getting expedition-tested and bringing those experiences back to transform how students see themselves and their planet.

Head to 36:52 to hear my part of the lecture