Embracing a Mobile Classroom: My Journey from Traditional Teaching to RV Life and Remote Work

For most of my teaching career, I thought education belonged in a traditional classroom. But as technology became more embedded in our everyday lives, it was doing the same through reforms and private companies in the landscape of education. Then the pandemic fast forwarded the possibilities of remote education. A couple of years later and after lots of research, I decided to take the leap: I traded my fixed classroom setting for remote teaching and freelance education gigs, and set my sites on traveling and teaching from the road!

It all began when I started teaching online for Carnegie Learning and Zinkerz Live Prep in November 2022. Soon after, I set my sights on living full-time in my RV. The toughest part? Downsizing. I parted ways with furniture, clothes I never wore, and items that had simply collected dust. Ending the lease on my house was straightforward, and as I watched my belongings dwindle, my excitement grew. If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty of that journey—what to keep, what to let go—don’t worry, I’ll be posting my tips on downsizing soon.

After a month of getting cozy with my travel trailer at a long-term RV park near my old hometown, I said goodbye to friends and family and started my new, nomadic life. Now, I teach with a view of the Cascades one day and the Rocky Mountains the next. My office alternates between my travel trailer, campsites with amazing views, or cozy coffee shops in the towns I visit on my journey. Each day feels like a field trip—except now I’m the one exploring and learning as I go.

For other educators out there, considering the possibilities that remote teaching brings, follow my blog for more tips, ideas, and opportunities to guide your research on the world of remote education. You’re no longer bound to four walls or a single zip code. Your classroom expands far beyond a roster and a bell schedule.

So, if you’ve been itching for more flexibility—if you’ve dreamed of blending your work with your wanderlust—take the plunge. Pack your laptop, find a trusty RV or travel setup that suits your style, and embrace a lifestyle where “home” changes with the horizon of your choice. Your next great adventure is waiting, and your students might just benefit from the stories you gather along the way.

Follow my journey as I continue exploring new roads, refining remote teaching strategies, and writing my way through this evolving chapter of my life.