Teaching weaves through everything she does even though she’s in administration now. Sarah Stokes, a teacher for 24 years, enjoys taking students on trips broadening their perspectives and their education.
A trip to Italy is being planned for March 2013 during spring break and Stokes is inviting students to join her. Scheduled through Education First Educational Tours, the trip includes a tour director and sightseeing tours.
The Italy trip is scheduled to visit Milan, Venice, Florence, Assisi and Rome. Through EF, there is an enrollment and monthly payments, allowing students or their parents to schedule payments to save the $2,729 which covers the flight, the hotel, two meals a day and the tour guide.
“I know it’s expensive, but there’s 15 months to draw it out,” she said of saving the money. “Once they realize they can do it, they usually go again. It’s very safe.”
Stokes, the principal at Pea Ridge Intermediate, is a native of Harrisonville, Mo. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University and taught at Dover, Ark., for 17 years.
Her first trip was in 1997 when several teachers joined forces for a trip to Europe.
“We went to Italy with five kids. We had a great time and just kept doing it,” Stokes said. She’s been to 15 different countries including Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Ireland.
“I do it because I like it anyway,” she said, but added that she really enjoys helping young people see the world. She said she eats the native food while traveling and always buys souvenirs that reflect the region such as a cuckoo clock from the Black Forest.
“I like every country because each has unique flavor ... Even though Europe is a small continent, every country is very, very different,” she said. “I could go to Ireland or Italy again and again.”
Sometimes the students who travel with her for the first time while in high school come back to go again while they’re in college. It takes a lot of stamina to keep up the tours, she said. She has an interest in history and usually has studied the area before visiting.
Stokes said she has never had a problem with behavior and is very strict in caring for the youth in her group. She said she has seen students grow through these travels.
“It is such a culture shock. No matter where you travel, you’re always amazed at how blessed we are in America.”
For information on the trip, contact Stokes at the Intermediate School at 451-1555.