Published September 5, 2024
BY AVERY PALSHAW
After spending a year on sabbatical in South America alongside his wife and two children, Carmel High School social studies, philosophy and college strategy teacher Marc Stafford is finding ways to incorporate his profound knowledge of South American culture and language into the classroom this year.
CHS teacher Marc Stafford traveled to a variety of cities with rich culture over the course of his South American sabbatical. (courtesy of MARC STAFFORD)
The Stafford family’s journey began July 31, 2023, in Miami, where they embarked on a journey to seven countries, including Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Colombia along with the Galapagos Islands over the course of roughly 10 months. While Stafford was by no means on a complete break from work, his experience abroad gave him and his family the ability to experience new cultures, see historic landmarks and ultimately grow closer as a family.
“I feel like my last year is going to help me be a better teacher for the next 15 years because I kind of was rejuvenated,” says the education enthusiast.
Of their many adventures, Stafford notes his memorable four-day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, swimming with hammerhead sharks and batrays in the Galapagos Islands, volunteering at a foster home in Cayambe, Ecuador, and assisting a coach in getting more participants and funding for a youth rugby team in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Hiking the Inca Trail with my family was something I’ll never forget,” says the teacher.
Stafford and his wife, Molly, had discussed their desire to eventually live abroad when they first got married, and having traveled to Europe, Nicaragua and New Zealand together, they knew they wanted to live with their children in a different country.
One of Stafford’s key priorities was to improve his Spanish-speaking abilities while living in South America, where he spent a week in Quito and six weeks in Cuenca, Ecuador, studying Spanish. After spending time immersed in the Spanish language, the globetrotter says he hopes to continue practicing by communicating with fluent Spanish speakers within the Carmel community.
“I want to be a part of whatever’s going on with outreach here at Carmel where maybe there’s language barriers,” explains Stafford. “I never would have been able to be a part of that and would never have had the courage to be a part of that before going on this trip and learning so much.”
In returning to CHS this year, the enthusiastic teacher says he plans on integrating elements of South American history and geography into classes, as well as stressing to his students the value of taking structured gap years before entering college.
While Stafford wholeheartedly fell in love with South America, he says he missed teaching, interacting with students on a daily basis, and is looking forward to bringing his experience into the classroom.
