Author: Melissa Dowland, NCMNS Teacher Education Specialist
“To hear a thousand monarch wings beating
To see a humpback whale breach
To savor foods and flavors I have never tasted before
To learn from and share with other educators
To make connections between North Carolina and Mexico…”
At Atlanta’s Gate 2E, twelve educators from across North Carolina sat in a circle, using the time before their flight’s departure to prepare for a journey that would exceed their expectations. They were the inaugural cohort of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ (NCMNS) Mexico’s Magical Migrations Institute, launched in January 2025 as part of the Educators of Excellence program.
“Like butterflies, we are fluttering with excitement about the magic ahead.”
After more than a year of planning by NCMNS education staff, the group traveled to Mexico to witness two of nature’s greatest spectacles: the wintering of monarch butterflies and the breeding of humpback whales. Their itinerary blended cultural immersion, historical exploration, and daily scientific inquiry.
“We are returning home with our even-fuller luggage having achieved those goals, having fulfilled those hopes, and having exceeded even our highest expectations… We all have plans for ways to implement what we have learned into our classrooms, schools, community, and even our own backyards.”
One glance at the blog the teachers produced throughout their travels and it is clear that these experiences foster a deep sense of community among the educators, one that will extend into and beyond the classroom.
“There were moments of laughter and there were moments of tears. That’s usually the case when your colleagues become more than just colleagues, they become your friends. They become your people. When we get back to the Raleigh airport we will go our separate ways, but we will all be changed by our experiences in Mexico.”
Since 1987, the Educators of Excellence program has taken teachers to experience the wonders of nature in places including Mexico, Yellowstone, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and South Africa, aiming to reignite their passion for teaching and enrich science education across North Carolina.
In June, another group of educators found themselves in Yellowstone National Park, surrounded by wildflowers, watching steaming water flow down stark white travertine terraces. The Yellowstone Institute, a program staple since the late 1990s, continues to offer transformative experiences in both summer and winter. The program connects teachers to the land and wildlife of the United States, and perhaps most importantly, to each other.
“When we say Yellowstone, what we really mean is breathtaking views. A location that unexpectedly feels like home. We were unaware of what our souls needed. How stillness permitted us to be one with ourselves. When we say Yellowstone, what really mean is we are here not just to witness an ecosystem, but to discover more about ourselves.”
Over nine days, teachers explored wildlife and geological wonders of our first national park, again journaling their reflections along the way.
“The day began with breakfast and a view — a towering peak framed by the morning light… Where once we were strangers, we now sat as friends, woven together by shared stories, experiences and the wonder of where we are.
An experiential learning process is the backbone of the Educators of Excellence program. Through a purposeful structure including teamwork and daily reflection, each group of educators becomes a cohesive unit, supporting and encouraging each other, and creating space for transformation.
As a program leader for both Mexico and Yellowstone, it was a privilege to help facilitate the growth experienced by each member of the team, to share in their curiosity and wonder, and to learn with and from them.
“[T]hese moments reminded me of our role as educators. Yes, we must teach children to read, do math, understand civics, and explore science. But perhaps an even more important role is helping them discover and nurture their innate abilities.”
In July, the program’s most distant journey took educators on the South Africa Institute. Accompanied by local guides and two South African teachers, the 16-day adventure included everything from bush walks to wetland cruises, the pink bellies of hippopotami and the timelessness of the Drakensberg Mountains.
“I just stood there, overwhelmed with gratitude—not just for what I was seeing, but for the fact that I got to be there at all. That, for one fleeting moment, I was a witness to this wild, untouched beauty.”
Each blog post from the trip again captured the depth of learning and inspiration provided in the Educators of Excellence experiences. As the last entry simply noted,
“…some experiences have a hold on your heart.’”
Every November, all three institute groups reunite at the NCMNS in Raleigh to present projects inspired by their travels. These projects—ranging from scientific data analysis to outdoor science lessons—demonstrate how these experiences directly impact North Carolina classrooms.
“There have been quiet conversations about how we’ll share this journey… The connections we’ve made and the perspective we’ve gained will help us do that work with more authenticity and a deeper, global understanding — once you look beyond the surface, you realize: we are all one family.”
Why do these global experiences matter? The wide world brings a new perspective to our own backyard. The spark ignited by hearing the rumble of a lion’s roar, the deep thrill generated by the sight of a humpback’s tail, or the profound sense of peace discovered in a quiet moment surrounded by mountains’ splendor – these experiences draw us together as humans and breathe life into our educator-souls.
“It was peaceful to let the world steal our breath in a good way… When was the last time you stopped and watched and waited and let life tell you what you needed?”
Ready to answer those questions for yourself?
Apply to join the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in one of the 2026 Educators of Excellence Institutes.
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All quotes are from educator blogs written during the 2025 Institutes. Learn more and apply at the Educators of Excellence website. Not an educator? Support the program by sharing it, following the trip blogs, or donating to the Educators of Excellence Fund. Special thanks to the Goodnight Educational Foundation and the Anonymous Trust.