Ms. Marti Sullivan
Buncombe County

“I have to begin by saying this program has been a life changing experience in so many ways. I began the morning of Sunday, 6/22 a bit tired from the previous day’s adventures which included biking through Vondelpark and a Summer Solstice bonfire. But I digress. 

The 22nd was our independent study day, so I booked a half day tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken so that I could see the countryside. Two women in our program also booked the tour so we traveled together. On the way to Zaanse Schans, we got to see and learn about the history of dyke building in the Netherlands. I found it interesting that the water is above the land. The town had several working windmills used for woodcutting, paints, and grain. It was quaint and the vibe was much slower than city life in Amsterdam. The windmills weren’t open yet so we couldn’t go inside. Our next stop was Edam. It was a bit bigger but still quaint. I enjoyed learning about its history in shipbuilding although now it’s primarily known for cheese making. The canals and cow fields were lovely. Volendam is a fishing village that has attracted many artists. Our last stop was Marken. It is also a small seaside village with many tourists. I thought it was interesting that it’s an island that is known for wooden houses. I enjoyed walking the small streets and viewing the beautiful gardens.  

When we got back from our trip, we spent some time in North Amsterdam. There was an Indian festival and we listened to the music and bought a couple of cool bags. Then we found a free bookstore and picked out some books for our classroom. I found a Winnie the Pooh book in Dutch because I wanted to have something my students would recognize. 

After exploring a bit more in North Amsterdam, we decided to go back to the room. I needed to work on my reflection assignment. I had a really good time writing haikus with my impressions of The Netherlands so thought I would share one here. 

Tippy tap a bus

Walk it out or ride a bike

Preserve life on Earth 

After finishing my reflection I met up with a few friends in the program for dinner. We walked to a cafe and ate a lovely meal. I had soup and fresh bread. 

I am seriously in love with Dutch culture. I appreciate the healthy lifestyle, the way in which people are direct, and the priority of work-life balance. There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to the Beattie Foundation for making this program possible. “

Mrs. Gabrielle Kring
Sampson County

“After walking an average of 20,000 steps a day the last 4 days, I welcomed today’s slower pace. As part of our professional development program in the Netherlands, today was designated as an independent study day, allowing participants to explore areas of personal interest beyond the structured itinerary.

I began the morning with a guided tour of the Rijksmuseum, one of the most prominent art museums in the world. We (myself and around 10 other participants) were led through the highlights of the museum, and I was able to see famous works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more. One of the most memorable parts of the museum for me was the Cuypers Library. It’s a stunning, two-story research library still used today by scholars and historians.

Next, I headed to the meeting point for a half day tour of Zaanse Schans- a neighborhood right outside of Amsterdam that has 18th century buildings and windmills. We were able to see how the traditional wooden shoes are made, how Dutch cheese is made, and tour one of the windmills. I will say, standing at the top of the windmill where the floor planks were further apart than I was used to required I muster up more bravery than I knew I had. 

For dinner, I ate by the canal at a restaurant that served traditional Dutch dishes. I was surprised at how much dinner reminded me of home: mashed potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. It was delicious. I decided to pass on the pickled herring, though; climbing a windmill had already used up my bravery for the day.

I’ve really been pushed outside of my comfort zone during this program. I was a late addition, so I only had a few weeks to prepare. Because of that, I wasn’t at orientation and didn’t know anyone prior to arriving at the airport. This is also my first time outside of the United States, and really my first time on an extended plane ride in general. Despite the challenges, I have learned so much about the Dutch educational system and culture, and I’m excited to take this new worldview back to my classroom and improve my practice. It’s not hard to stay grounded when you’re surrounded by such welcoming people and beautiful landscapes. 

I’m grateful to my district, Sampson County Schools, for providing me with the opportunity to experience the amazing culture and educational system of the Netherlands. In Sampson County, approximately 50% of the land is farmed. Many of my students and their families come from farming backgrounds, so I am excited to not only learn about Agricultural Technology in the Netherlands, but to connect that learning with what is happening in and around my home county. More importantly, I want to leverage that knowledge to create and enhance lessons to make my classroom more accessible and applicable to the population I serve.”