Millard Travel Grant Recipient Kathleen Donovan Brings Home a Global Perspective

This summer, 7th grade History teacher Ms. Kathleen Donovan traveled almost 9000 miles to bring home a global perspective to her classroom. Fascinated by both New Zealand’s relationship with the US during WWII and the indigenous Maori culture, Ms. Donovan planned a 24-day trip to explore all regions of New Zealand, rich with history, natural beauty and unexpected perspectives. We are proud and grateful to support faculty travel endeavors with the Millard Faculty Travel Grant. As Ms. Donovan stated, “The Millard Grant made this trip and my dream a reality.”

Why New Zealand?

Ms. Donovan did extensive research to plan a trip that would meet her academic goals, while also adding a check mark to her lifelong bucket list. She knew 2016-2017 would be an unconventional school year due to focus on the presidential election early on and saw an opportunity to create a unique curriculum structure, making room for a deep dive into WWII. During WWII, New Zealand played a critical role in the success of the island hopping excursions for the Allies; and so the inspiration for her Millard trip was born. But she didn’t stop there. Inspired to get most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity, Ms Donovan outlined two distinct research goals for her trip:

  • To study New Zealand perspectives on American involvement during WWII through exploration of American war camps and museums 
  • To learn about the Maori culture and find parallels between New Zealand’s treatment of indigenous peoples as compared to the United States
Ms. Donovan standing on a WWII bunker overlooking Army Bay, located in the Bay of Islands.

Creating Rich Curricular Connections

Ms. Donovan’s goals for the trip speak to her thoughtful consideration of how her experience could benefit her students. She saw the obvious connection between New Zealand and the US during WWII, but looked deeper to find other ways her trip could enrich her teaching. Throughout every piece of the 7th grade curriculum, Ms. Donovan’s students investigate ideas about prejudice, bias, stereotypes and mistreatment of those who are different. Her examination of the British treatment of the Maori people allows her to bring a global perspective on these issues back into her classroom, to create engaging and authentic experiences for her students.

Ms. Donovan performing the Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting, with one of the few Maori who has traditional full-facial tattoos. In Maori culture, tattoos explain a person’s heritage, job/place in society, and pay respect to sacred animals.


The Trip

The trip was a blend of research and adventure. Ms. Donovan began her journey with 10 days on the North Island. There, she rappelled waterfalls to the Waitamo glowworm caves, surfed the Ragland waves and interacted with the Maori at Waitagni Treaty Grounds and Rotorua.

After taking a ferry across the Cook Strait, she spent 15 days exploring the South Island. A few of her South Island highlights include sea kayaking at Abel Tasman National Park, hiking the Franz Josef glacier, seeing the reconstruction efforts of Christchurch (still recovering from major earthquakes) and exploring the seal colonies at Kaikoura.

Ms. Donovan attempting the intimidation pose with Maori natives after a cultural show at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. In the Maori culture, men would stick out their tongues and women would stick out their chins to intimidate visitors.


Experience Begets Knowledge

If you talk to Ms. Donovan, you can hear the passion for travel and education in her voice:
“I firmly believe that you don’t actually know a place or it’s people until you go and live it and experience it. The more I travel, the more I understand different cultures, perspectives and bias. I come back with a greater appreciation for what we have, but also a greater understanding of what other people around the world are about. Travel changes you. That makes me a better teacher.”


The Millard Travel Grant

Established in 1997, the Millard Faculty Travel Grant provides professional development for the many responsibilities a faculty member might have at Severn: classroom teaching, coaching, advising extracurricular programs, and providing leadership in the school. The grants are awarded to those applicants that either contribute significantly to a faculty member’s professional growth in his/her areas of service to the school, or contribute to the development of the curriculum and programs of the school. To date, the Grant has been awarded to over 35 faculty members. The School is grateful to Steve Millard '51.


Back

Lower School

Upper School