I’ve discovered a fantastic website and just had to share it with you. It’s www.wanderingeducators.com. What a fresh idea this is, as it is unique amongst the countless travel sites out there. Basically the site is a conglomerate of editors who are educators that travel the world. Since Smart Poodle Publishing is so totally into geography education, this is right up our alley!

Editors  may be teachers, professors, homeschoolers, students, life learners and administrators who are “wandering educators.” They write informative articles for the website and share spectacular photos of their journeys. You’ve got to click on the Photo Galleries under the Navigation heading and just dream about these far away places. I’m getting ideas about Lilly Badilly’s future adventures just by looking at these incredible pictures. And in case you are miserably freezing at home, you’re sure to get warmed up when you look at photos of the earth’s sunny places.

There are travel journals from all over the globe, funny essays involving distant places, info about intercultural education, tips on places to stay when you travel, the best of guide books and so much more! These entries start dialogues with readers with similar backgrounds or an interest in travel, and they stir up engaging comments. On this site you’ll also find book reviews and discounts offers on all sorts of products travelers need.

The innovative site was created by husband and wife team, Jessie Voigts and Ed Forteau.  I had the pleasure of speaking to Jessie over the phone. She’s creative, brilliant and has a fabulous sense of humor!  Not only does she want to share the world with her readers, but she is always seeking to learn more herself. We could have talked for hours. Jessie has a PhD in International Education, and husband, Ed, has degrees in Engineering.

Since one of their passions is traveling, they decided to create The Wandering Educator together so they could work on a family project. One of their goals was to make sure their six year old daughter, Lillie, could learn firsthand all about the world. What better way is there to do that than to host a website like this? With a name like Lillie (i.e. Lilly Badilly!) she’s got to be worldly and smart! She’s only 6 and is already a reporter. Halleluiah! Here’s one little girl who will not be lacking in geography knowledge!

Little Lillie, the Worldly Reporter

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Jessie explained,

“We’ve had so much fun running our site. Although it is a challenge to find new and interesting content – different from other travel sites, of which there are many!  I have met so many incredible people. I love hearing the back story of why people are passionate about their work – whether it is a book, travel, website, adventure tours, places to stay, events, or the place where they live. I feel fortunate to have been extended many invitations to visit, all over the world! And each place I learn about is so intriguing that my top ten travel list is constantly changing.  I’ve learned that if someone is truly interested and committed to exploring the world, then their cup will overflow with good people, places, food, and experiences.“

The Wandering Educators Family: Jessie, Ed and Lillie

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When I asked her about her vision for this website Jessie said,

“ I hope that readers of WanderingEducators will be inspired – to travel, read and explore the world around them. Travel doesn’t have to be across the world – it can be across town, as well. We’re having such fun with our site. All three of us, including our 6-year old daughter, sit down and talk every week about where we want to go next, write about next, read next. I hope that our love of the world and intercultural learning comes across to our readers. It is contagious!”

So check out www.wanderingeducators.com today, and start planning your next travel adventure. You’ll be glad you did.

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