Why Field Trips Rock

Field trips are a pain in the ass.

I hate collecting permission slips and hearding students through the turnstiles of the 3 train.

I hate having to convince students to sign up without the promise of McDonald's.

I hate that too often I must beg them to leave the most dangerous neighborhood in New York City so that they can see something different.

But for the few students that do decide to go (yesterday it was only 5) it's beyond worth it.

Sometimes it's just the revelatory, revolutionary experience of walking in Times Square or Greenwich Village.

Sometimes, like yesterday, it's the experience of witnessing amazing theater from the vantage point of the front row.

Sometime's it's just the new act of eating at a restaurant that doesn't have pictures on the menu.

Whether it's to MOMA or the New Victory Theater or even John's Pizza, field trips bring me back to the roots of why I decided to embark on this special and challenging journey that is teaching.

They show that "getting out" is possible.

In the span of a 30 minute subway ride, my students are able to see the beauty and wonder of their city instead of the tragedy and hopelessness.

They're able to see, experience, a life outside of Rockaway Avenue.

They're able to be treated, if only for an afternoon, as citizens instead of statistics.


And that's worth it.

Even when they still ask if we can go to McDonald's.