MEET HEATHER: Transforming Lives Through Travel as an Educator

Alumni profile: Heather Schacher

Global Glimpse Alumni & Leader: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica
Education: Loyola Marymount University Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, 2019

“I believe that if all students had the opportunity to experience something like Global Glimpse, our society would become more educated, empathetic, and globally aware. With a shift in perspective, understanding and empathy become the foundation for breaking down barriers and collaborating to protect one another and our shared planet.”

In 2011, Heather entered Andrew Hill High School, a Title 1 school in East San Jose, California, as an incoming freshman. It was her first time attending a local district school, and as a middle-class white female, she began to recognize the privilege and inequalities, specifically existing within the public school system.

“I decided to enroll at Andrew Hill for their IB Program, but I was quickly exposed to an environment very different from the one I had previously grown up in. I was fortunate that my family was well-versed in higher education and could help me navigate the path toward college, but I soon realized that this access and knowledge were privileges. As I came to understand how these resources opened doors for me, I became increasingly passionate about social justice issues, both in and outside of my community.”

During Heather’s junior year, she learned about Global Glimpse, sparking a ripple effect that took her from being a student traveler to becoming an advocate for Global Glimpse experiences in her own classrooms. This is Heather’s story.

What led you to applying Global Glimpse?

I was a few months into my junior year and happened to have a Spanish teacher, Ms. Henderson, who was a leader for Global Glimpse. At the time, I thought the program sounded like a great way to push my comfort zones and explore a new culture. I was also really interested in human connections, so it seemed like a great opportunity and I applied. Looking back, I had no clue how much it would impact the trajectory of my life and the lives of my future students.

**Looking back, are there any transformative moments that stand out from your Global Glimpse trip to Nicaragua*?**

There are so many impactful moments, but three quickly come to mind:

Human Connection: During my trip, my group taught English classes twice a week, where we were responsible for creating lesson plans for the local community. While the goal was to help the students practice English, it became just as much of a learning experience for me as it was for them.

“I loved sharing my language while they, in turn, eagerly shared their culture. It was one of the first times I truly realized how connected we all are. Of course we have differences, but our shared humanity transcends.”

This experience also showed me how much I enjoyed teaching and sparked an interest in pursuing education as a potential career path.

Living a Fulfilled Life: The second moment came during Community Day, where we spent one-on-one time with local families to learn about their lives and foster meaningful connections.

“Through these conversations, I realized how unsustainable our lifestyle in the United States can be—both for personal well-being and for the environment. I reflected on how many other ways there are to live happy, meaningful lives, often outside the cultural standards I had grown up knowing.”

There’s no right or wrong way to live, but to this day, I think back to those families living below the poverty line and feel instantly more mindful about how I use and value my resources.

Finding Confidence: Lastly, I experienced a significant surge of confidence after my trip to Nicaragua. When I left home, I only knew a few of the people I was traveling with, but by the end, I had formed lifelong friendships. Traveling together—sharing a room, eating every meal together, and navigating the same experiences—created a strong bond among us.

“Global Glimpse gave me a tremendous sense of confidence and courage, reassuring me that I would be OK when I left for college. It eased my graduation anxiety and helped me realize that I could face challenges, like making new friends or continuing to advocate for social justice and equity.”

Each of these moments, and the lessons I learned from them, significantly impacted the trajectory of my life. Now, as I lead my students on their own Global Glimpse trips and within the classroom, I hope they, too, can pinpoint moments that change their lives and shape their futures for the better.

Upon returning home from your trip how did these moments continue to impact your future?

As I mentioned, I was deeply passionate about social justice even before my Global Glimpse trip. But when I returned home, I had gained a newfound confidence in myself and made the decision to leave home to enroll at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, where I studied sociology.

Attending a Title 1 high school allowed me to witness firsthand how inequities in education—specifically, a lack of opportunity—profoundly affect the trajectory of people’s lives. This experience drove me to focus much of my undergraduate studies on education policy and equity within the public education system.

During my time in college, as I reflected on my next steps, my heart led me to the classroom to begin a career in education

I’ve been a math teacher for the past five years, taking on numerous roles within our school community—serving as a Global Glimpse Leader has easily been one of my favorites. I also recently earned my Master’s in School Administration! Looking ahead, I hope to expand my impact beyond the classroom by working at the district, city, or state level to advocate for ALL students and to drive meaningful change.

What brought you to bring Global Glimpse into your classroom as a Leader?

Global Glimpse had such a positive impact on me that I wanted to continue offering similar opportunities to my students. My travels gave me the confidence to attend college, ignited my passion for education, and I can truly say that I’m living a fulfilled life. Not many people can say that, and it’s what I want for my students and their future.

Where I teach, many students come from high-poverty backgrounds and, without Global Glimpse, would likely never have access to stepping outside their comfort zones in this way. I want to show them a world where they are more connected than they are different, and that by seeing what exists beyond their bubble, incredible possibilities can unfold for them. Whether it’s higher education or a successful path elsewhere, they have the power to lead thoughtful lives that they choose for themselves!

To date, how many of your students have traveled on a Global Glimpse trip?

Last year was our first partnership year with Global Glimpse, and 12 out of 12 students who applied were accepted and traveled! It was amazing because our goal for the first year was six, but we doubled that number.

“Of the students who traveled, all of them returned as different people and are now seeking higher education after graduation.”

One of these students was just working with his counselor on college applications and said,

“Global Glimpse totally changed my life. As a freshman and sophomore, I didn’t have good grades because I didn’t have anything I was passionate about, and I wasn’t sure if college was a good fit. But after returning from Global Glimpse, I’m so much more motivated, now have straight A’s, and have new goals for the future.”

It’s stories like these that continue to fulfill me and make me optimistic about what our ongoing partnership can provide for my students and their communities. This year, 16 students applied, so it’s becoming an exciting opportunity on our campus, with students eager to participate.

What do you think the world would look like if all students had the opportunity to travel?

“I believe that if all students had the opportunity to experience something like Global Glimpse, our society would become more educated, empathetic, and globally aware.”

We would be more willing to understand each other’s experiences, approaching differences with curiosity instead of fear or misunderstanding. With a shift in perspective, understanding and empathy become the foundation for breaking down barriers and collaborating to protect one another and our shared planet.

I have experienced the power of travel in my own life and have seen how these opportunities can be used as a tool for my students to not only embrace each other but also recognize their place in the world as change-makers for the future. It’s powerful!

*Nicaragua is no longer a location where Global Glimpse runs programming.