Mr. Irvine

I used to travel with other leaders that had all kinds of collections. My Bride suggested that I start some kind of DC collection. She got me my first bobblehead of President Lincoln a number of years ago, so I always pick up a new one on the trip.

First trip 1995 East

26 years ago I took my first group to DC. (I have already taught kids of the kids in that class! The lady in the NC shirt will have kids at our school next year. On this year's trip I have 3 parents that were in that first class!)

That first group

Fueled 1. My love of teaching and 2. My love of Student travel. I believe that travel is one of the best teachers. Sure the history pieces, but also culture, exposure to different peoples and lifestyles. Students also learn about themselves on trips like this.

That first year at The Lee Custis Mansion at Arlington

We were upstairs in the mansion, the guide says "This hallway is where Robert E. Lee paced the floor trying to decide is he was going to stay with the North or go with the South."

This little lady grabs my arm, "Mr. Irvine, I actually learned something in your class! I thought you were making all that stuff up!"

I was hooked on student travel. They make connections from what they learn in class to the real thing when they encounter it on our trip.

*NOTE*

I am not encouraging 8th grade bus driving!

97 Culler-Lux Trip

After East MS closed in 96 and Lux opened, I went and taught over at Culler for a few years. I helped Mr. Zabawa and Mrs. Mercure start the Lux trip. We traveled together that year.

Once I had a family it became a father /daughter thing.

2006 Alexandria

Mrs. Irvine came out for all or part of the girls trips.

She graduated with a history degree for NWU but decided to go back and get a nursing degree

Alexandria is graduating with her nursing degree in May and getting married in September.

2013 Faith

She graduated from Northwestern in December and will go to med school next year.

2015 Lilliana

1st year we added NYC to the trip. Here we are at Ellis Island. Lilliana is finishing her sophomore year at Loyolla Chicago. We were Rambler fans in the NCAA March Madness.

In 2013 Faith had the opportunity to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unkowns. My Bride flew out for the day to see it. Lilliana got to lay the wreath in 2015. in 2015, I flew my Bride and my Dad out to see it. Big Sis Faith had a conference out there at the same time. So she got to see it. And the pictures were fun with my Dad there.

I don't know if I'll be doing this trip when the littles get old enough.

We adopted Scott and Addy in 2019

Addy turned 5 on April 7. Scott will turn 10 in July.

Update: Scott is going on the 2024 trip with us.

29 years of making memories for students, and myself. 29 years of seeing the light bulbs turn on. I love this trip! It has been so worth it.

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