In June, Polk County Middle School science teachers Elisa Flynn and Leslie Rhinehart joined educators from across North Carolina for a two-week journey through Southern Africa organized by Global NC.
The trip took the educators to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, where they visited schools, met educators and community members and learned about the region’s history, culture, conservation efforts and wildlife. Global NC works to build connections between North Carolina and the world through programs for education, business, government and community leaders.
The Polk County Community Foundation sponsored Flynn’s participation in the Global NC Teacher Initiative. After returning home, Flynn shared the following reflection on the experience and the lessons she hopes to bring back to her students.
As I reflect on this incredible journey through Southern Africa, I find it difficult to put into words just how profoundly this experience has impacted both my personal life and my career as an educator. What began as a professional development opportunity became a life-changing adventure that broadened my understanding of the world, strengthened my passion for teaching, and filled my heart with gratitude.
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Global NC and the Polk County Community Foundation for making this extraordinary opportunity possible. This truly was the opportunity of a lifetime. Travel has a remarkable way of opening both the eyes and the mind. It allows us to experience cultures firsthand, meet people whose lives differ from our own, and discover that despite our differences, we share far more in common than we often realize.
Throughout this journey, I grew tremendously as an educator. Every school visit, every conversation with teachers and educational leaders, and every interaction with students challenged me to think differently about education and the role it plays in changing lives. I returned home with countless ideas that I will bring into my classroom, but more importantly, I returned with a renewed sense of purpose. Experiences like this cannot be learned from a textbook or a professional development workshop—they must be lived.
Programs like the Global NC Teacher Initiative, supported by generous community partners such as the Polk County Community Foundation, make experiences like this possible for teachers from small communities like mine. Because of their investment, I can now bring Southern Africa into my classroom, allowing my students to learn about places, people, cultures, and educational systems they may never have the opportunity to experience themselves. For that, I will always be grateful.
I would also like to reflect on the incredible educators who made up Group One of the Global NC Teacher Initiative.
Over the course of two unforgettable weeks, we grew from strangers into friends and, ultimately, into family. Each person brought unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives that enriched this journey in ways I never expected. I learned something from every member of our group—not only professionally but personally as well.
Together we celebrated joyful moments, supported one another through emotional ones, and learned to lean on each other as we navigated unfamiliar places and experiences. We shared laughter on long bus rides, reflected after difficult museum visits, celebrated wildlife sightings on safari, and encouraged one another as we stepped into classrooms across Southern Africa. Those shared experiences created bonds that I know will last long after this journey has ended.
I am truly blessed to have been part of such an extraordinary group of educators.
My gratitude also extends to the incredible people of Southern Africa.
From our guides like Snowey and Reason to every driver, educator, conservationist, lodge employee, and community member we encountered, we were welcomed with warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality. Everywhere we traveled, people were eager to share their stories, traditions, and cultures. They welcomed us into their schools, homes, villages, and communities with open hearts.
I was continually struck by the pride people took in their countries and their hope for the future. Whether discussing education, conservation, history, or daily life, each conversation revealed a deep love for their communities and a desire to create greater opportunities for future generations. Their willingness to share both the triumphs and challenges of their lives gave our group an authentic understanding of Southern Africa that no guidebook could ever provide.
Finally, I cannot conclude these reflections without acknowledging the breathtaking beauty of Africa itself.
Never in my life did I imagine I would watch elephants cross a river at sunset, witness lions stalking buffalo across the savanna, or stand just yards away from a wild giraffe feeding peacefully from an acacia tree. There were moments when I truly felt as though I had stepped into the pages of National Geographic.
Beyond the wildlife, I developed an even greater appreciation for the conservation efforts taking place throughout Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. I was impressed by the commitment each country has made to protecting its natural resources while creating sustainable careers through ecotourism. Learning that professional safari guides undergo extensive education and rigorous national examinations reinforced the value these countries place on preserving both their environment and their wildlife for future generations.
Throughout this journey, I witnessed extraordinary beauty—not only in landscapes and wildlife but also in the resilience, generosity, and spirit of the people.
This experience stands apart from every other professional opportunity I have had during my career. It reminded me that education extends far beyond the classroom walls and that some of life’s greatest lessons come from stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing the unfamiliar.
As I close this journal, I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude.
Thank you to the Polk County Community Foundation and the Global NC Teacher Initiative for believing in teachers and investing in experiences that transform both educators and students. Because of your generosity, one teacher’s dream became a reality. The lessons I learned, the friendships I formed, and the memories I made will remain with me for the rest of my life, and they will continue to inspire my students for years to come.
This journey may have come to an end, but its impact is only just beginning.
