Brent is a 9th grade World Studies teacher in his 24th year of teaching who has lead students on international and domestic tours for the past 7 years. This January he will be leading his first group of students to witness the 2017 Inauguration and couldn’t be more excited to experience this unique day in history with them.

Friday, January 20th will mark 230 consecutive years of a consistent Constitution and the 58th time our country has organized a peaceful exchange of power. This day will also mark a special moment for experienced Group Leader Brent M. After two years of anticipation, he will be standing alongside his students on The National Mall in Washington, DC witnessing this momentous day in history—Inauguration Day!

As a 9th grade World History teacher who has traveled across the globe with his school community for years, Brent couldn’t be more excited to share this unique experience with his students. Regardless of who is elected, this year’s Inauguration will surely be one to remember. While his students will not be old enough to vote in the upcoming election, Brent has encouraged them to approach this trip as a practice round, recommending they watch who is elected and what they do as a guide for future elections.

When asked what he is most excited about, Brent doesn’t skip a beat, “Just the sheer fact of being on The National Mall, together with thousands of other people who are also taking time out of their lives to recognize the importance of what is sometimes taken for granted; the peaceful exchange of power between political groups” he says.

While this will be Brent’s first time taking a group of students to Inauguration, it won’t be his first time leading an EF Tour. His love of travel began the year after he graduated high school when he participated in a homestay program in Switzerland. Despite always loving travel, he never considered leading a group of students on an educational tour until he took his own children to visit his homestay family. The impact the experience had on his children was undeniable, but so was the realization that they would have enjoyed the opportunity more if they had their friends by their side. It was after this trip that Brent decided to create a travel program in his community. Since then he has offered an array of travel opportunities to London, Paris, Switzerland, DC and New York; all with the goal of encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones.

What lies ahead for Brent? In addition to the rising excitement in his school community for Inauguration, Brent will be going back to Washington, D.C. in July with another group of students as part of his educational tour to New York City and D.C. With multiple opportunities offered to students each year, he keeps his program balanced by planning early (18-24 months in advance) and upholding a regular schedule. Through this he has grown his program into something his community looks forward to. “It’s an important experience to offer the community” he explains.

Interested in taking your students to Inauguration? Learn more here.