In March, Alison Olson, a social studies teacher at NPHS, traded the whiteboard for a waterproof notebook and her desk for the deck of a rolling research vessel! For hundreds of educators since 2018, this hasn't been a dream—it’s been a reality provided by the Navy League Educator’s at Sea Program.
A Local Perspective: Allison Olson’s Once-in-a-Lifetime Voyage
The impact of the Educator at Sea Program hit locally this Spring! Allison Olson recently returned from a 24-hour experience on a Naval aircraft carrier. Her journey began unexpectedly two years ago.
"Tom Wetschka mentioned it to me one day in the locker bank and shared a little bit about it," Olson recalled. "I didn't hear anything for two years and, to be honest, I forgot about it until this past September when the Navy reached out and asked if I was still interested!"
By March, during Spring Break, Olson found herself as one of 12 educators, one of only three from Minnesota, braving the nerves of the unknown. "I wanted to model for my students that even though you may feel anxious about participating in something new, I would've missed out on this had I allowed my anxiety to hold me back."
Beyond the Textbook
For Olson, the takeaway was more than just a trip; it was about sensory storytelling. She describes being 15 feet away from an F-35 taking off: the smell of jet fuel, the searing heat, and the vibrations felt throughout her entire body.
"It allowed me the experience to bring stories back to my classroom, which makes the learning so much more engaging," she said. "They aren't simply reading about it in a textbook, but rather seeing videos and hearing a firsthand account of the incredible collaboration needed on the flight deck."
Like Olson's experience, the Navy League’s Educator at Sea program is designed to give full-time educators the opportunity to join a professional team
For Mrs. Olson, the experience was also a lesson in gratitude. "Beyond the gratitude for the service men and women who sacrifice to protect our freedoms, it was about bringing the entire experience back, including describing the pace of operations and the collaboration required to maintain safety."
When life gives you the chance to spend 24 hours on an aircraft carrier or a research vessel, Mrs. Olson has one piece of advice for her students and colleagues alike: "Take advantage."