How Carson Says "Hello"

The following blog was written by Mr. Jason Dellinger, a CTE Teacher at Carson High School. In addition to teaching, Mr. Dellinger helps with just about everything. From prom to FFA and being an administrative intern to taking students on trips all over the world, Mr. Dellinger is one of our most active staff members!

JCHS students visiting one of our sister school's in China last year.

Hello, hola, ni hao, aloha, and bonjour are all ways that Carson students and teachers have had the opportunity to say hello across the United States and world.  Coming to Carson over five years ago, I never could have imagined the opportunities to travel and learn.  St. Augustine said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”  Simply put, there are amazing things happening at Carson to build bridges and teach students the importance of diving into other cultures to truly understand them. 

From Raleigh, Louisville, Indianapolis, Nashville, Washington DC, and New York City in the United States and across both ponds to China, England, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Wales students and teachers have developed an understanding of key differences found in each culture.  These differences help promote interpersonal communication skills and empathy when someone may be different due to heritage.  Soon enough students and teachers will be traveling to Hawaii and Spain to be submersed in a different environment than what they are accustomed to.  These upcoming trips promise to not only be exciting, but full of educational opportunities for the students and teachers.  From a group leaders’ point of view, it is an amazing sight when you see the face of students when they enter a new and unusual place.  The sense of anxiety and excitement all at once is clearly marked on each face as the students try and grasp what is being seen.  It is not only a trip for the students but also for the teachers who work countless hours to plan, promote, and execute a trip filled with learning and enjoyment. 

Myself, Mrs. Stillings, Mr. Reynolds, Ms. Glass, Mrs. Reynolds, Ms. Reynolds, Mrs. Wyatt, Mrs. Marohn, Ms. Wilkinson, Mrs. Byrd, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Overcash, Ms. Holman, Ms. Efird (sorry if I mistakenly left your name out) have had the opportunity to lead or chaperone a trip for students, and I can honestly say that the teachers take more away than expected.  During these excursions, teachers are not only developing a better understanding of the culture they are bringing students to, but also developing a better understanding of the students that were brought.  I vividly remember chaperoning a theater arts trip to New York, my first time in China, seeing (hearing) President Obama begin his second term in DC, all of my trips to National FFA Convention, and leading a trip to China (not to mention EF Tours sending me to Madrid for a meeting before the China trip)!  All of these experiences have given me a chance to meet students who would not normally take a class of mind, and build a relationship that would otherwise never happened. 

The students at Carson are extremely fortunate to have staff members who are willing to give their spare time so they can experience trips that do not often present themselves in a high school setting.  We as teachers are fortunate to have administration in the school, county, and board of education that allow these educational experiences to occur.  We are truly a global economy, learning how to interact with different groups of people is essential for this day in age.  For those that are reading this and did not know about these wonderful opportunities, ask a teacher!  The school typically does an international trip every two years; currently Summer 2017 has a Spain trip being planned!

Not only are teachers trying to provide enjoyment, but also we want students to deepen their understanding of the world and the many cultures that make it up.  Contrary to popular belief, the United States is not the only country on the planet.   Seeing the differences in cuisine, work habits, traditions, and customs allow students to build an arsenal of skills that will serve them for generations to come.

“Global travel awakens the senses—and mind—to different cultures and experiences. From climbing the worn steps of the Colosseum to practicing tai chi with Shanghai locals, unforgettable memories become priceless souvenirs.  Students return home inspired, confident and more connected to the world around them. But this isn’t the end of their journey—it’s the beginning. The memories, experiences and discoveries they make abroad will continue to shape their perspective, as well as their future. “-EF Tours

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