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BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Ever wonder what teachers do in the summer?

Some might teach summer school, pick up a seasonal job or just enjoy some downtime.

Others go on big adventures.

Take Andrea Sagsveen, for example.

She’s a fourth-grade teacher at Bismarck’s Northridge Elementary and has now walked portions of the Camino twice. The Camino is an ancient trail that leads to Santiago, Spain. It’s a pilgrimage for many and for Sagsveen, both trips have been life-changing.

Sagsveen hits the walking trail every day.

“I love walking,” she said.

These walks started as training for something bigger. Sagsveen has walked portions of the famous Camino twice. The first time was two years ago. She started in France and ended in Santiago, Spain.

“It took about 34 days of walking,” said Sagsveen.

The second time was just last month; this time, she started in Portugal

“This Camino took me 12 days of walking. The most I ever walked I think was close to 20 miles a day,” she recalled.

Along the way, she met other adventure-minded people from all over the world.

“I met people from every continent except Antarctica,” she said.

But the best part, she says, was stepping outside her comfort zone, going on an adventure and have time to reflect on it all.

“Having that time to reflect and digest on everything that life is throwing at you is something that I have now realized I need to build into my day,” said Sagsveen. “Walking is definitely a way to stay mentally healthy, emotionally healthy and physically healthy too. ”Which is why, even here at home, her daily walks are still the best part of her day.

Sagsveen says her adventures have made her a better teacher and have sparked some good conversations with her students.

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