Welcome to The Getaway Teacher! I am a passionate teacher and traveler who enjoys sharing my experiences with new people.  I love recommending places I have been, as well as sharing common traveling experiences. Traveling opens minds up to learning and meeting new people, much like education does.  In fact, traveling is an extension of the classroom.  

I have been blessed to have been a special education teacher in a New York City public elementary school for many years and have recently made a transition to teaching high school in the suburbs of Connecticut. The students I have taught, families I teamed up with, and educators I worked with have impacted my life immensely and continue to each and everyday.  

Teaching has afforded me the opportunity to get paid for what I am passionate about, while also allowing me the free time to follow my other passion: travel!  While I have taken long vacations to far away places (and in no means have I seen the world…yet!), the short and close trips are often just as impactful and important.  Getaways are meant for clearing your mind, learning and experiencing new cultures, places and people. I know that each trip I take, no matter where it is, allows me to hit the “refresh” button so I can be the best teacher for my students and an all around better me. 

Life is too short to sleep, work, eat, and repeat.  I want to take advantage of my time off as a teacher and plan and go on exciting getaways, keeping in mind my teacher-salary-budget!  A getaway can be one night, one week, or one month!  

Choose travel, keep learning, and have fun!

Vanessa Kowalski
@thegetawayteacher
vtkowalski@gmail.com