Dena Bridgewater

Dena Bridgewater, 1st Grade Teacher, Keystone Elementary

Field trips play a crucial role in the educational development of young students, offering a range of benefits that extend beyond the classroom. They offer students hands-on learning experiences that deepen their understanding of academic concepts. Participating in field trips helps young students develop important social skills. Working together in a new environment encourages teamwork and effective communication. Field trips break the routine of classroom learning, providing a stimulating change of pace that can reinvigorate student interest and enthusiasm, especially toward the end of the school year. The excitement of visiting new places and engaging in hands-on activities can boost students' motivation to learn and participate actively.

This year, our first graders were lucky to visit Bloomsbury Farms, Twisters Gymnastics, Morgan Creek Playground, and Rodgers Park in Vinton. These experiences usually hold the biggest memories for the students. I am proud to work for a school district that considers regular field trips as a key element in their educational programs. We would not be able to have these opportunities without our amazing PTO, our friends in the transportation department, and the locations that allow us to visit.