RM is home to several diverse traditions. From cultural expositions to class-based events, the number of these traditions is endless. One specific tradition that brings staff and students across all classes together is the bi-annual spring break field trip.
For many years, the social studies teacher has coordinated trips all over the world. One of the key figures of the tradition, Kimberly Lansell, formerly taught world history at RM. To share her passion for the world’s cultures and history, she took her students on an international trip for the first time around 2007. She would take her students on trips every spring break.
When asked about her role, she addressed a common misconception people have about her. “So did I start the tradition of taking world trips or trips to other countries at RM? No, I was not the first one to do it,” she said. On the other hand, she talked about learning from other teachers such as Mr. Clark, a former teacher, and social studies teacher Mr. Heeg. After going on a few trips with them, she took over leadership of the trips. By the early 2000s, she began organizing annual spring break trips, helping to build lifelong memories for many students.
Over the years, Ms. Lansell led her trips all over Europe and the western hemisphere, and created so many unforgettable experiences. “Japan definitely was one of my favorite trips… it was such a different culture, and I had never been there myself,” she said. She also talked about other memorable moments of her trips. One of these was during a trip to Ireland, when the students were able to hear a private performance from a local Irish band. “They came to our hotel, played music, and even taught us how to do Irish dances,” she said.
Mrs. Lansell and the social studies department continued to manage these trips until disaster struck in 2019: The initial reports of COVID-19 cases. This would result in trips getting cancelled for a few years, and in that time, Mrs. Lansell retired, leaving RM without someone to coordinate these field trips.
However, before she left, Mrs. Lansell passed the responsibility of running the field trips to social studies teacher Andrea Lyons, who had the hard task of resuming the trips after COVID. “When I started working here 19 years ago, there were staff members… doing spring break field trips… and I saw an opportunity to bring it back after COVID,” she said.
Ms. Lyons persevered through the challenges, and she resumed taking students in 2023. Since then, she has led students and staff to places such as Italy, Paris and Madrid, and is very passionate about the cultures of each destination. “It’s not just about history,” Ms. Lyons said. “It’s about independence, cultural awareness and seeing the world from a different perspective.”
Along with the teachers and staff who planned the trips, the students were the driving force behind all of it. Throughout the decades that this tradition has spanned, many students have had the opportunity to make memories and experiences that they will never forget.
One of these students, Sami Saeed, an RM alumni and former SMOB. Saeed went on the Italy trip with Ms. Lyons a few years ago. “It was surreal being a high school student… eating at this super fancy restaurant overseeing the water of Italy,” he said. He also talked about the people he met while on the trip, saying that he built connections with them to last a lifetime. “It’s not even about the things you see or the places you go, it’s about the friends that you make,” he said.
The next trip, coming up in 2027, is being planned by social studies teacher Carlos Montalvan, who is taking over for Ms. Lyons, ushering a new chapter in the RM spring break trip’s history. “I always encourage my students, if possible, to take a world language and to study abroad,” Mr. Montalvan said. He highlighted how he feels it is important for students to step outside of the classroom and to experience the world for themselves.
This upcoming trip will take students through Madrid, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the beautiful city, its deep history and culture. Students who are interested in signing up should contact Mr. Montalvan. Interested students can also scan the QR codes on one of the many posters around RM.
“What inspired me to take students all over the world was, because as a history teacher… when you take students into actual countries… it allows them to experience history firsthand,” Ms. Lansell said.
