Mrs. Kynlon Treadaway
Cabarrus County

“After three packed days here in The Netherlands, this morning was exactly what I needed. No alarm or early morning schedule. I walked down to the hotel lobby and enjoyed a quiet, unhurried breakfast. I had coffee and yogurt and some time to breathe, take it all in, and get to know more of the participants. 

Our first stop was the Anne Frank House, but we arrived a little early—lucky us! That gave us time to explore a nearby local market downtown. It was the kind of market you could get lost in—full of unique finds, handmade crafts, and street musicians. I ended up finding some gorgeous watercolor prints. I wanted to buy a lot more things, but my suitcase had other plans. 

Then we made our way to the Anne Frank House. We started with a guided introduction to Anne’s life, and the presenter was fantastic—informative, thoughtful, and engaging. It really helped frame the visit before we stepped inside. His inspiring speech sparked some ideas that I want to do with my students. For example, students could study an influential person in history and integrate information from various sources in order to curate a mini museum of the person’s life. This would serve as a visual during a presentation in which students speak knowledgeably about the topic. 

Once in the house, the weight of the experience hit me. Walking through those rooms, imagining what it must have felt like to live in hiding day after day—it was incredibly emotional. I found myself thinking not just about Anne, but about the parents, too and what it must have been like to try to keep your family safe, knowing what was happening outside those walls. It’s something that I will never forget.

After the museum, a small group of us headed to Kikkie’s for lunch, thanks to a great recommendation from our tour guide. I ordered the chicken schnitzel and wow—it was honestly one of the best meals I’ve had so far.

Next, we made our way to Central Station to catch a train. Trying to figure out the train schedule was an adventure. It involved a lot of staring at signs and double-checking platforms. Thankfully, we had a fearless leader in our group who got us all on the right train. Once we were settled in, the ride through the countryside was absolutely beautiful. It was such a peaceful contrast to the buzz of the city—green fields, little villages, cows grazing under wide-open skies. 

Then we switched trains for a short 10-minute ride to the city of Oss before hopping on a tour bus that took us even further out into the countryside, to a tiny village called Teeffelen. It was picture-perfect—rural, quiet, and full of farmland and livestock. You could feel the pace of life slow down the moment we arrived.

Then came the 5K run, which I’ll never forget. Running through the village, with locals standing outside their homes, cheering us on, clapping, smiling—it felt like something out of a movie. Kids were waving, neighbors gathered together, and even though I was in a completely unfamiliar place, I felt so welcomed and supported. It was surreal. I kept thinking, “Wow… I’m actually running a race in The Netherlands.” What a moment.

Our trip back to Amsterdam felt a lot smoother—we were definitely more confident navigating the train system. It was cool to realize how much we had already learned in just one day, not just about the transit system, but about the country and its people. 

It was a full, emotional, inspiring day. I’m so thankful to the Miriam and Robert Hayes Charitable Trust for making this educational experience possible. I’ve learned so much already about history, culture, and community. My mind is overflowing with ideas I can’t wait to bring back to my classroom, my school, and Cabarrus County.“