Staff Spotlight: Allie Cavallaro

Title:
US Ambassador, Media Coordinator

Photos

What is your favorite travel memory?

Where even to begin! My favorite memories tend to be little moments.

Highlights include: creeping up the path to see Machu Picchu in the misty sunrise, espresso by the canals in Venice, breakfast in a castle in Germany, Pims at a pub in London, laughing in the streets of Paris, reading a Norton anthology and drinking ginger tea in the heights of the Himalayas, and running fully clothed into the Pacific Ocean after driving across the entirety of the United States.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I began my relationship with Trek to Teach as a teacher in the spring of 2016. After my time in Nepal (which was life changing enough on its own!) I began to work for TTT doing interviews and teacher training sessions.

Since then I've gathered many more duties, and with those, many more skills. I'm learning about things I never thought I would touch: managing social media accounts with thousands of followers, writing grants, copy, and managing advertising campaigns.

Now I'm so much more set to enter the real world with skills and experience I never dreamed of having.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

There was a time when one of the teachers currently teaching in the village I had volunteered in sent me a photo of the children I'd previously taught. They were all posing in front of an old white board filled with pictures and drawings, hearts and my name.

It warmed my heart so much to see my beautiful students still drawing, and also still thinking of me.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Well, I've already gone, but I'd go back in a heartbeat. I plan on returning to Nepal once I've (finally!) graduated school. The world has taken me on a windy path, but it's been a wonderful one, and genuinely believe I can thank my experience in Nepal for that.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our team is exceptionally helpful. We're resourceful and giving. One of the things that struck me most when I was in Nepal was how helpful our team there was with EVERYTHING. If I needed something, they brought me somewhere to get it. If I had a question, they answered it. If they didn't know an answer they would find someone who did.

The support I received as a teacher from the program, and the support I continue to receive from my colleagues, is amazing.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think communication and honesty are key. One of the things I really appreciate is that I'm able to say to Brad, our founder, "no, I can't do that" or "no, that doesn't make sense." He asks for my honest feedback on things, and when I can't do what he asks, or something doesn't add up, we're able to communicate and work through that.

If there is an issue, concern, or question one of our teachers (or even potential applicants!) has, we do our very best make it known that they can reach out to any number of us for help.