From the Panama Canal to White House History

Curious about the White House Teacher History institute, which provides fully-funded educator professional development in DC? Let’s hear about it from teacher travel expert, Maria Dessipris, who also has some reflections from her funded travels in Panama…

TT: Maria, tell us a bit about your background.

Maria: “Hola” once again! Since I already introduced myself here in 2024 in my article about the GenEd Fellowship, I would like to add that I am honored and grateful to have received “The 2025 AATSP Outstanding Teacher of the Year K-8 Award” during the AATSP Annual Conference which took place in Panamá in June 2025. 

I also presented a session about “Armenians in Latin America: Products, Practices and Perspectives of Armenia’s Culture and History” as part of my ongoing commitment to last year’s fellowship with GenEd.

In addition, the Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad Chapter I founded and advise in my school, “Todos Iluminados”, received the “2025 Activity of the Year Award” for the “Cuencos Completos-Full Bowls” service learning project with community involvement, and our AATSP-New Jersey Chapter was granted “2025 Chapter of the Year”, as a testament to the dedication, excellence, and vibrant spirit that define our board officers, members and community. 

This September I enter my 33rd year in the teaching profession and I continue to count my blessings!

TT: Nice! Tell us about your recent travels.

Maria: Summer 2025 has been awesome with personal and professional experiences and opportunities. From the Panama Canal, to The White House in Washington, D.C. to Athens and the Cyclades Islands in Greece. From enjoying the company of family and friends, networking and collaborating with colleagues, to immersing myself in the local culture of each destination through history, literature, food, music, art. The world is truly our classroom and I seize every opportunity there is to continue learning along the way. 

Today, I would like to highlight my amazing experience as part of the White House History Teacher Institute: Cohort-Week 1 in July. What a delight from beginning to end! Their websites are WhitehouseHistory.org and ThePeoplesHouse.org.

The thorough organization of the week’s agenda, activities and site visits, the warmth and knowledge of the WHHA administrators and Master Teachers, the camaraderie of the fellows and the exclusive access to The White House made the entire week worthwhile. The program was well-balanced throughout the week with lectures and discussion in lovely classrooms inside the WHHA, to visits to the People’s House, the Carriage House, the National Portrait Galley and Cedar Hill.

Blair House was part of the itinerary, but due to a diplomatic guest staying there during that week (with barricades and demonstrations across the street!), we were all flexible to accommodate the change and took time to wander around the National Mall grounds or visit some of the many free and amazing museums. In my case, I went to see the progress of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino which does not yet have its own permanent building.

However, the Molina Family Latino Gallery, the museum’s first physical presence, is located within the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. This gallery offers temporary exhibitions and educational programs while the larger museum’s own building is being planned and constructed. As a linguist, I highly recommend visiting Planet Word, which provides an immersive language experience. 

The WHHTI administrators also secured tickets for all of us to visit the Library of Congress, and given the fact that I am a “book worm”, I was in awe with the collections, the architecture and the solemnity of the place. 

Daily lunches were delicious and had international flavors: Mexican, Mediterranean, Asian and the like. I am deeply thankful to all the people involved in making this such a remarkable fellowship! Gracias! 

TT: Nice! How do you find your travel opportunities?

Maria: I am constantly talking with and listening to everyone while sharing and exchanging information about contests, applications’ requirements, deadlines, etc. For example, for Panama I participated in an online trivia event sponsored by Carlos V-Education (with whom I collaborate and have taken students to Seville in 2024) and I won the registration funds for the conference.

For other travel expenses while in Panama, I received a generous stipend from Xperitas after taking students to Costa Rica in February 2025 and partnering with its administrators to showcase my travel testimonial and the community project I carried out as part of the “2024 Xperitas-Language Matters Award”.

For the White House History Teacher Institute I thoroughly worked on the competitive application following all the steps and requirements and I was astonished when I received confirmation of my acceptance! Lodging and several meals are covered by the program and a substantial stipend is provided to make your own travel arrangements and for other miscellaneous expenses.

Upon returning home, each fellow also received a box in the mail with tons of books and realia that I will display in my classroom during my lessons. And the entire cohort continues to be connected through an app exchanging ideas and opinions that enhance our lives. 

I highly recommend this fantastic program in superb facilities with kind and committed leaders and staff. They make you feel like royalty! They provide tons of resources online, arrange field trips for groups and continue reimagining how to serve us all better. Find more information about the White House History Teacher Institute at this link on WhiteHouseHistory.org.

TT: Thanks! Tell us one moment from your travels that was particularly powerful, interesting, or funny.

Maria: Powerful and Interesting… In three separate instances we were treated to conversations with very accomplished individuals who were worldly and humble at the same time! It was amazing to hear about their backgrounds, life stories and service to noble causes. 

During a sunset reception on the roof top of the WHHA building overlooking the White House and surrounding building, the association’s donors took the time to chat and get to know us, and share their purpose. During the actual White House tour (after several screenings and clearance) on the 2nd day and a panel discussion on the 5th day, the White House Workers were always kind and willing to answer all our curious questions.

They were all going about their day and duties (cooking, painting, arranging flowers, etc.) but took the time to stop when they saw us in the hallways and tell us about their assignments, how long they have been working there, how they accommodate their personal lives around their job and so on. They were all so happy and devoted!

In the almost 3 hours we spent inside the White House, I was particularly drawn to the portraits of Presidents and First Ladies and the display of tableware sets beautifully arranged inside glass cabinets. According to the Chief Curator, who has worked at the White House for over 30 years, there are about 300 sets with about 60,000 pieces in storage and Presidents and their families can request to design a set to their liking or choose from the ones available to use during important events.

We also worked on Visual Thinking Strategies using artifacts to elicit information, timelines and facts in history based on Jacqueline Kennedy’s initiative to restore, preserve and display the collections of the White House. 

Funny! The People’s House is an “immersive journey through the history and legacy of the White House” with interactive exhibits where you can touch artifacts, make yourself comfortable at the Oval Office, or be inside the Green, Blue or Red Rooms in a matter of minutes with visual and auditory experiences appearing and disappearing through the walls. 

The gem of the museum is the Photo Booth tucked in a small room where you can take photos with a variety of backgrounds in the White House (garden, press conference room, kitchen, etc.) and then send them to your email. There’s no limit to the number of photos you can take so I stayed there posing and having fun for as long as I could.

Twenty minutes to be exact until a family came in and I had to give up my turn! After having met the real chef, chief curator, butler, and painter while touring the White House, it was fun to put myself in their shoes at The People’s House Photo Booth!

TT: So cool. How have your travels impacted you?

Maria: I am honored to have been selected as a fellow for the WHHT Institute and particularly drawn to the essential questions which encompass the building as a symbol of the Presidency, the US government, and the American people.

It was my goal to learn more about its structure, symbolism, surrounding areas, as well as its occupants, events and changes over time. Acting “as a home, office, museum, and stage”, it was fascinating to see first hand the “Art in the White House”: paintings and sculptures by diverse artists, furnishings, gifted artifacts and more. 

Within my subject, World Languages and Cultures, content for lessons can be created to compare and contrast the White House with other buildings and houses of government in Spain and Latin America. My students are always curious when I teach them about “La Casa Rosada” (the pink house) in Argentina, for example, so during my lessons I will be touching on paintings and portraits of historical events and heads of government as well as table settings and protocol during State dinners around the world.  

Democracy, diplomacy, and hospitality were concepts addressed during our visits, lectures and discussions as well as the fact that, on July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Something important and essential to reflect on!

TT: Well said. What advice do you have for teachers looking to travel?

Maria: The phrase “Solo sé que no sé nada” (I know that I know nothing), attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, highlights the importance of intellectual humility and the ongoing process of learning

So keep on wandering, discovering and thriving!

Travel, learn, teach, repeat!

TT: Thanks so much, Maria! Readers, what questions or comments do you have?