As Administrator for grades K through 8 at Island City Academy in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Wm. Aaron Warren has traveled several times with his students, taking them to unforgettable locations around the country.
Warren, who came to his current position after eight years teaching all subjects for grades 9-12 at the area high school and Therapeutic Boarding School, currently supports the Academy’s 7th and 8th graders when they travel.
“When we started with ETI, we would take the 8th graders and let them choose the location,” recalled Warren, who has taken students to New York City, Boston, Chicago, and even Mackinac Island. “In the past few years, we’ve made the transition due to our class sizes to traveling every other year, and are now taking both 7th and 8th grades together to DC.”
Warren recalled a time when the original trip destination further away from home was pivoted to a closer one in order to accommodate more students—an action he says ETI made a breeze.
“The year we did Mackinac Island was due to some struggles in DC; we had many kids who wouldn’t have been able to attend due to some mandates,” Warren shared. “ETI quickly helped us transition to a local destination that allowed our 8th graders (who are now seniors) to get a trip, and it was all done in under two months' time. They were amazing in that process.”
Some past trip highlights that stand out for Warren include the nighttime walking tours of DC’s monuments, and of course, the changing of the Guard at Arlington.
“We spend a lot of time talking with your kids about our freedoms and how they’re based on the sacrifice of others, and for the kids to get a chance to see that on that level is very moving,” Warren said. “It’s just a great reminder that our freedom isn’t free, and we owe it to those who came before us and some who gave their lives for us.”
When Warren first started his role at Island City Academy, the school worked with a different tour company for their travels.
“I went on the first trip, and just didn’t feel like we were supported beyond the logistics of booking activities for the kids and the transportation,” Warren recalled. “We then went to a larger agency, and they were fine, but I reconnected with ETI’s Shelly Cole at our 20-year class reunion for Albion High School Class of '93. I found out she worked in student travel, and then I found out she was based locally here in Michigan. I took it to my school Board to give them a chance for our trips, and we haven’t looked back since!”
The above-and-beyond service and local aspect is massive for Warren.
“Having a someone come talk to our students in-person to get them excited, to share our ideas with, or even stop by the office, has been a huge benefit,” Warren said. “When we had an issue with a vendor on a trip, ETI quickly helped fix it and assured us they wouldn’t be using that vendor in the future. They even shared a contact with me when I needed a local bus company for a staff outing to a Detroit Tigers baseball game. They’re just good people who are great to work with.”
Planning for Warren’s ‘26/’27 trip has seen more collaboration than ever.
“Our Social Studies teacher asked me, ‘Can I talk to the travel planner and share my ideas?’ as he’d gone on the trip a few times and really had some ideas for what would match our curriculum,” Warren said. “Mike with ETI had shared the proposed plan, and then spent a planning period with our teacher to tweak it. That level of involvement is something that sets ETI apart, and they aren’t just doing a cookie cutter every-8th-grade-class-goes-to-DC type trip. They take the time to make our trips unique and ensure our students and teachers are having an amazing experience.”
Warren encourages educators who are considering delving into student travel but are hesitant due to things like student behavior, logistics, or otherwise to simply take the plunge.
“ETI is an amazing company, and they are there with you from day one,” Warren emphasized. “They will get you things to share with families about the trip, they will help collect the fees, and they will ensure your trip is within your budget. I will also say, not only in my time at ICA, but also in my prior school, it’s amazing how well kids can and will behave when you get them outside of your building. Give those kids a chance, and I promise you that you’ll be surprised at how great they do.”
Courtesy of ETI.
Photos courtesy of Aaron Warren.
