World Leadership School

Reconnect, Recenter, and Reimagine

Each year, World Leadership School runs life- and career-changing travel programs for educators, which allow them to be students again and reimagine their practice. Our educator programs include working with local NGOs, interviews with local leaders, and an active and open investigation into local cultures. Along the way, we leverage the group’s wisdom and experience for deep reflections around personal and professional growth.

These programs allow educators to reconnect, recenter, and reimagine. Educators reconnect with their original passion for teaching; they recenter themselves in a supportive and safe community of educators; and they reimagine their teaching practice through World Leadership School’s suite of Purpose Learning tools.

We look forward to two exciting programs running in 2026: El Paso/Borderlands Region (February 2026) and Dominican Republic (Summer 2026). Please see below for detailed program descriptions and registration information.

World Leadership School also runs individualized Educator Development programs for schools interested in sending a larger team to re-envision global learning or work on a specific school change initiative.

Upcoming Programs

El Paso / Borderland

February 4 – 8, 2026

Program Overview:

During this immersive visit to the Borderland Region, educators will use the area around El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico to learn about the complexity of immigration and to gather tools, resources, and perspectives to enhance pedagogy. The goal of this program is to allow participants to experience all the perspectives around this complex issue to return to school with new ideas, tools, and resources for teaching immigration.

For more detailed El Paso / Borderland program information, please click HERE.

Register for the El Paso / Borderland program

Questions? Please email jessica@worldleadershipschool.com


Dominican Republic

June 24 – July 1, 2026

Program Overview:

This immersive 8-day program is an exciting journey to the Dominican Republic, where adventure meets purpose. Participants will snorkel vibrant coral reefs, sail to Saona Island, and explore the rich culture of Santo Domingo and Bayahibe—all while working alongside the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (FUNDEMAR) on meaningful ocean conservation projects. Each day blends hands-on learning with opportunities for reflection, cultural exchange, and collaboration with fellow participants. This program is a chance to recharge, connect deeply with a new community, and return home inspired with fresh perspectives for your classroom and growth.

For more detailed Dominican Republic program information, please click HERE.

Register for the Dominican Republic program

Questions? Please email jessica@worldleadershipschool.com


Past Programs

Azrou, Morocco

June 25 - July 2, 2025

Program Overview:

Nine adventurous educators came together for an inspiring 8-day program in Azrou, Morocco, designed to immerse them in the cultural richness of the host community. Azrou, a small city nestled in the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains and surrounded by pine and cedar forests, provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful learning, exchange, and community immersion.

Over the course of the program, participants engaged deeply with topics such as gender, religion, post-colonial identity, and indigenous culture. Through discussions, site visits, homestay meals, and personal interactions, they gained new insights not only into Moroccan society but also into the ways culture shapes perspectives and lived experiences.

Beyond academic and cultural exploration, the program created space for reflection, connection, and growth. For many, it was an opportunity to step outside familiar routines, challenge assumptions, and view the world through a different lens. Each educator left Azrou with a renewed sense of curiosity, a richer understanding of cultural complexity, and fresh ideas to bring back to their classrooms and communities!

For more detailed program information, please click HERE.

“World Leadership School Educator travel Morocco offers a chance to see and experience the beauty and culture of the country more authentically with a supportive group of like-minded colleagues. Daily tours to historical sites show the mix of cultures within Morocco (Amazigh, Arab, Roman, European) and give a brief history of the country through visits to amazing sights, while the home stays and activities within the community (cooking classes, dancing classes) help personalize the experience by building a human connection.“ Bill Hardy — Faculty, Calvert School (Baltimore, Maryland)
“It was wonderful to be around such supportive and caring educators and that provided me with a sense of hope for the future of education that I will take with me for the year. I also was deeply touched by the interactions I had with people on the trip, and it is so important to reflect upon and treasure those shared moments of joy and understanding across cultures.“ Donna Canada-Smith — Faculty, Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, Connecticut)

Haley Brooks

Director of Upper Elementary
Echo Horizon School

Impact on Me: In a world that feels so negative, divided, and hyper-focused on differences, I was happy to be reminded of how to refocus on finding the similarities and positive attributes that are present around me.

Program Highlight: Sitting around the table with our host family, eating a delicious meal, and getting to laugh with each other and have inside jokes despite the lack of a common spoken language.

Sacred Valley Peru

June 23 – 30, 2024

Program Overview:

The Summer 2024 adventure began with the opportunity to explore the group’s home base in Ollantaytambo and to connect with teachers from the Kuska School. In the following days, the educators collaborated to explore pedagogy, share ideas, and work together on strategies to support students. Each day was carefully crafted and woven with Peruvian cultural experiences including a community adventure challenge and visits to a weaving cooperative and community health NGO.

No trip to the Sacred Valley would be complete without the trek to Macchu Pichu, which this group embarked upon with awe and wonder. The inspiring views and breathtaking ruins were a highlight of this experience for many participants.

The group immersed themselves in the culture and daily life of the Sacred Valley and approached each day with a balance of adventure and humility. The connections we built between each other, and with the land and people of Peru, will sustain us in the school year ahead.

100% said they would recommend WLS Educator Travel to others!

“Our facilitators were excellent leaders in every way. I'm so grateful for their hard work, flexibility, knowledge, ideas, teaching, and humor. I learned so much from them! They treated everyone in the group equally and spent time getting to know each person individually.” Faculty, The Collegiate School (Richmond, Virginia)
“While I was excited to attend the program, I really wasn't sure what to expect. The leaders scaffolded the program to develop a sense of cohesion in the group, offer experiences to familiarize us with Ollantaytambo and expand our learning. The opportunity to collaborate with the teachers at the Kuska School was outstanding.” Faculty, Echo Horizon School (Culver City, California)

Gretchan Frederick

Upper School Spanish Teacher
World Languages Department Chair
Charlotte Latin School

Impact on Me: I love learning from other people, and I love seeing that there are so many different ways to live our lives — there is no one ‘right’ way. I think we get caught up in our routines and in measuring ourselves against our perceptions of others’ paths and others’ successes. This trip was such a wonderful example of how we can all do life differently and still find fulfillment and meaning.

Advice for Future Participants: Be excited about everything. Be ready to learn about everything and from everyone. When you embrace an opportunity with your mind, eyes, heart, and arms wide open -even if you’re scared-, the possibilities are truly limitless.

Sean Donmoyer

7th Age Homeroom (1st grade) teacher
Calvert School

Why I Joined the Program: I know the reputation WLS has for providing thoughtful and purposeful experiential education. It felt like the stars aligned for me when I learned that the summer trip would be to Peru, as my grade level learns about South America in our geography class, and my own personal interest in the Spanish language, and the history of the Inca empire.

Lessons Learned: Since returning from Peru, I have made it a personal goal to get my students outside at least once a week. Seeing how easily the educators integrate nature, and the beautiful surroundings of their campus, into their daily routines and practices inspired me to look for opportunities to get my students outside to build a connection with the natural world (even though we are technically located in Baltimore City!)


Immersive Culture and Sustainability Study in Belize

June 24 - July 1, 2023

Program Overview:

Twelve educators from around the United States converged in Belize during the summer of 2023 for an incredible experience! At the beginning of the program, the group traveled to Belize’s mountainous region to explore the natural environment and connect with a local elementary school. Mornings were spent hiking to the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, where we experienced an ancient Mayan sacrificial site with skulls, pots, and ceremonial altars virtually untouched for centuries. During this phase of the program, afternoons were spent at a local school and working in collaboration with local teachers on curriculum exchange and development. The connections and fellowship established during this phase of the program were mutually energizing and beneficial!

For the last few days, hopped aboard a motor boat for Tobacco Caye, an incredible sandy island located directly on Belize’s barrier reef system. We stayed in beachside bungalows that provided easy access to snorkeling throughout the day, exploring local mangrove forests, and enjoying the gorgeous island scenery. We also visited the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute research station on nearby Carrie Bow Cay.

Finally, the group took a boat back to the mainland and to the coastal town of Dangriga. From here we caught a charter bus to Belize City for our final evening at the Tropical Education Center and a night tour at the Belize Zoo.

The immersive experience was an amazing opportunity to connect with other educators and to the beautiful, rich culture of Belize!

“With WLS in Belize, I was able to learn about a country that I knew very little about, and have unique and genuine cultural and professional experiences that helped me to understand it better. The program is designed for those that seek a travel and professional experience rather than a tourist experience, and to learn about the country from local people and organizations.“ Faculty, The Collegiate School (Richmond, Virginia)

Jennie Willens

Director of Lower Elementary
Echo Horizon School

Why I came: After many positive experiences with World Leadership School, I was incredibly excited to have an opportunity to join the Educator’s Travel Trip in Belize! As someone who seeks out PD for myself and the educators on my team, it is very rare to see such an exciting and intentional offering for teachers.

Advice for Future Participants: Arrive with as much of an open heart and mind as possible! We had an extraordinary group of educators on the Belize 2023 trip. It was inspiring and motivating to be amongst a group of educators who showed up with incredible bravery, grace, and willingness to try new things. Together, we truly tackled every moment of the experience with joy, humor, and attention to each other!


Immigration and Border Studies in El Paso

July 7th-12th 2022

Program Overview:


In this program, educators take a deep dive into the US-Mexico border and explore themes around migration and borders. Over the course of five days, we will collect data, interview experts, and reflect on the realities we are witnessing. We will visit the wall, see a federal immigration hearing, talk to a probate judge, hear from the US Border Patrol, learn from NGOs, and talk to migrant families who live through this complicated issue every day. Using World Leadership School’s Purpose Learning planners, we will develop new curriculum in order to teach migration and borders in more powerful and humanizing ways.

“When I got the announcement about this program, I applied immediately. To be “on the ground” and meet with people working on immigration/border issues and people impacted by the policies/laws was incredible. I knew immigration was a complicated, “messy” issue. And now I really understand why. I ask my students to be comfortable with complexity every day and this program pushed me to do the same. “ Beth Yavenditti, Director of Global Education at St. Luke’s School

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Purpose Learning and the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the Eastern Shore

August 5th-10th, 2022

Program Overview:


Educators will use the Eastern Shore as a lens for exploring the complex relationships between land and people in this thin ocean peninsula that was colonized by Europeans more than four centuries ago. We will study marine ecology at Horn Point Laboratory, kayak in the Chesapeake Bay, and head out on an oyster boat. We will hear from social justice leaders, understand the local legacy of slavery, and see the marshes where Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom.

Throughout the program, we will use the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for exploring connections to both the land and the people of the Eastern Shore. Using World Leadership School’s suite of Purpose Learning tools, we will develop a curriculum that explores the balance between sustaining the Eastern Shore’s fragile ecosystems and its diverse human communities. This program includes a virtual session before and after the travel experience.

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By The Numbers

99%

99% of traveling faculty are inspired to integrate global issues and perspectives in their classroom

93%

93% of traveling faculty are able to implement project-based learning and student-centered pedagogies

Learn more about partnering with World Leadership School!