Teacher Goes Viral With Video Detailing Elaborate Mock Vacation to Mexico for Her Young Students

The elementary-schoolers received faux boarding passes, passports, and even packed carry-ons for their "flight." Their adventure has now been viewed over 20 million times.

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A teacher is being applauded for going above and beyond for her first grade students by putting together an elaborate simulated trip to Mexico.

Sonja White shared a video on TikTok detailing everything that went into their vacation in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. White put together faux passports and boarding passes for each student, who were responsible for packing their carry-on luggage and bringing it with them on their flight. White not only arranged the classroom to resemble the seating layout in an airplane, she also played a video of a plane taking off and provided her passengers with an in-flight drink and snack.

Once they "landed" in Mexico, the students were provided with a paycheck that would be put toward items purchased at the gift shop. The students were required to either pay in exact change or tell White how much change they were supposed to receive, working some math into the learning festivities. Lastly, they dined in a Mexican restaurant formerly known as their classroom/plane, with one mom bringing enchiladas and rice for the kids to enjoy along with their chips, salsa, and tres leches cake.

@sonjawhite_teach

Come along to Mexico with us for Hispanic Heritage Month!! 🇲🇽🇲🇽 @Southwest Airlines @Doritos #firstgrade #firsties #teachertok #teacherlife

♬ original sound - Sonja White💙🖤

White put on several hats throughout the experience. She was a TSA agent, flight attendant, customs agent, and gift shop employee. This is one of many instances where teachers have gone the extra mile for their young students. A tweet from @BeingTerryJade praising White's incredible work received more than 19 million views and 149,000 likes in just half a day. The original TikTok, meanwhile, is closing in on 2 million views and 350,000 likes.

This is pretty cool! This teacher created a mock vacation to Mexico for her students. She even made them passports! 🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/2Mp5pvyKBG

— Terry (@BeingTerryJane) October 11, 2023
Twitter: @BeingTerryJane

Other Twitter users quote-tweeted the post to share their admiration for Sonja White, as well as educators writ large:

This is why teachers deserve to be paid 6 figures. I know for a fact most of this was out of pocket cost and an experience they will never forget. She’s teaching them real life experiences in a fun way. Educators we appreciate you 🫶🏾 https://t.co/ebmAWY0KMl

— Ari B, LCSW🌻 (@JustAriSpeaking) October 11, 2023
Twitter: @JustAriSpeaking

Whatever they are paying this teacher it isn’t enough. What an amazing experience for the kids ❤️ https://t.co/1X4IhyEZtG

— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) October 11, 2023
Twitter: @notcapnamerica

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the coolest teacher ever. She put SO MUCH thought and effort into every detail of this day for her students. Adorable! And shout out to the mom that made enchiladas and the drinks. Kids will remember this forever. https://t.co/GTB7hSCscF

— Heather Doyle (@heathermdoyle) October 11, 2023
Twitter: @heathermdoyle

a teacher will do something incredible like this only for some doofuses to come on twitter talking about “teaching is basically a part time job they’re lucky to even be getting a salary” https://t.co/MuSTx4NPUb

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) October 11, 2023
Twitter: @SheaSerrano

She just opened up these babies world view and I love it. https://t.co/FIrl97J27Q

— Kevín (@KevOnStage) October 12, 2023
Twitter: @KevOnStage



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