An outsider wouldn’t be able to guess that David Katzmayr is a math teacher by walking into his classroom on the second floor of Strawberry Crest High School. Visitors notice three pictures hanging on the wall of the popular teacher with students in Europe before they see the geometry and algebra textbooks stacked neatly on his desk.
Katzmayr first began teaching 10 years ago at Plant City High School before he moved to Strawberry Crest when the school opened. Three years ago, he picked up an extra hobby when he began taking students and chaperones to Europe with Education First Tours. Through guided itineraries with an emphasis on local culture, Katzmayr and SCHS students were able to explore the hearts of the countries they visited — from bike tours in Barcelona this past summer to last year’s view from the top of the Alps.
Katzmayr and 20 students from both PCHS and SCHS have just returned from a trip through Southern Europe, where they went to Spain, Italy, France and Monaco.
“Each trip is fabulous,” Katzmayr said. “This year, the kids were up for everything.”
Katzmayr described himself as a math teacher who likes to have fun. Since his first summer traveling with 10 students, his European trips have grown in popularity. Within one half hour of meeting at Tampa International Airport, the students were bonded for life, Katzmayr said.
That bond, along with students’ reactions as they explore new countries, is what makes these trips worthwhile.
“They’re out of their comfort zone,” Katzmayr said. “But within a day, they want to live there the rest of their lives.”
Many of the students on these trips have never been outside of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. This summer, students were able to experience an entirely different way of life as they visited palaces in Monaco, hiked over mountains, saw Roman ruins and ate local cuisine.
“I make a difference in their lives,” Katzmayr said.
Katzmayr is able to customize his travel itineraries with Education First Tours. Next summer, he will be taking students to Paris, France and England.
Although Katzmayr has traveled to over 25 different countries, he has never been to England. He is looking forward to taking students to see Stonehenge for the first time. Students will also get to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. In France, students will see the Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. Trips cost about $3,000 per person, but Katzmayr said it’s easy to work out a payment plan.
Although the trips only last 10 days, the itinerary still leaves room for free time.
If pre-approved, students can make plans to visit relatives, or head to a beach or nearby shopping plaza. Because the trips have become popular, Katzmayr is never short of chaperones.
“I’ve never had any problems,” Katzmayr said of students’ behavior. “Right now, I’m planning on doing it for the next five years at least.”
Although many students would consider their Instagram photos of famous landmarks a great way to share their trip with friends and family, Katzmayr wanted students to have something tangible once the trip ended. After everyone returns home, he puts together photo albums for each person on the trip. Many of the shots are similar, such as ones with historical sites or group photos, but each album is personalized and features at least 15 individual shots of the student.
“I make a photo album for myself, as well,” Katzmayr said. “I want all the pictures.”
The albums serve a double purpose. Katzmayr gives students who have graduated their albums once they return to the United States but holds on to the albums of underclassmen until school starts. He then goes to the classrooms of each student and presents them with their photo album, along with tickets to the next informational trip meeting, which students can hand out to their friends.
“There is some work involved,” he said.
The advertising works. Katzmayr said he already has nearly 30 kids signed up for next summer’s trip to France and England, which will be from July 10 to July 20. He expects that more will sign up as the school year progresses — he’s even included a note about the tours in his class syllabus. He enjoys the anticipation before each trip, and seeing kids comfortable with each other outside the walls of a classroom.
“When on these trips, everybody is actually themselves,” he said. “I think that’s what it’s all about.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com
The following students and chaperones traveled with David Katzmayr this summer through Italy, Spain, France and Monaco:
Corey Newcomb, Amber Wilson, Renay Slone, Danielle Wynn, Tori Ford, Aileen Cerchiara, John Banks, Kristy Villegas-De La Cruz, Peter Holmes, Ernesto Rivera, Maura Shea, Carolina Velasquez, Chuck Bowersox, Trish Duncan, Chloe Brinson, Janice Plante, Sandra Shea, Cheyenne Rogers, Zenda Brantley and Sean Langford.
IF YOU GO
For more information about Katzmayr’s travels with Education First Tours:
Visit: www.eftours.com/1659456ex
Email: David.Katzmayr@sdhc.k12.fl.us