Behind the Collective

Meet Samantha, founder + chief curiosity guide

Samantha is an educator, traveler, and lifelong learner who believes the world is the best classroom. After earning degrees in elementary education and dance education from Muhlenberg College and a master of science in education from Simmons University, she spent five years teaching third grade while continuing to pursue her passion for travel and lifelong learning. She also completed post-master's coursework through Yale, Boston University, and Harvard.

Her love of history and global exploration began in an AP World History classroom and grew even stronger when she spent part of her senior year of high school living aboard a tall ship. Since then, she’s traveled to over 30 countries across five continents, with favorite experiences ranging from Iceland's dramatic landscapes to Hawaii's natural beauty and even camping in the Australian Outback.

Living with autoimmune and chronic health conditions has taught her resilience, adaptability, and the importance of embracing opportunities even when circumstances aren't perfect. She wants to challenge assumptions about how people with chronic illnesses should live.

Through Field Trip Collective, she combines her passions for education, travel, history, geography, and storytelling to create content and resources that help curious learners of all ages better understand the world around them. When she’s not planning her next adventure, you can find her on Cape Cod, trying a new recipe, or spending time with her dog, Lucy.

  • "One of Samantha’s greatest gifts is how she brings every topic to life. She doesn’t believe comprehensive education is through simply paper and pencils. One of the most impressive and immersive learning experiences she facilitated in her classroom is her Publishing Party as an end of a writing unit celebration. As an educator, it can be a challenge, at times, to expand student engagement beyond the written word when teaching writing lessons. However, Sam’s Publishing Party extends writing beyond the book and allows students to relish the rewards of their hard work.”

    -Nicole W., Former Collegue

  • "Miss Rosenfield was a teacher that I will never forget. Everyday, she would make me smile while teaching me in a unique and educational way and bringing out her funny sense of humor. She made me feel at ease before every test. And most importantly, Miss Rosenfield made me feel seen."

    -Charlotte L., Age 10

  • "One of my favorite things about watching Samantha teach is how much she cares about the lessons that go beyond academics. She always makes time to remind her students that they can do hard things, that they don't have to like everyone but they do have to be kind to everyone, and that being a good person comes first. Every morning, she ends their mantra with, “Today is a new day, with a new opportunity to make your world a better place,” and I think that sums up Samantha as a teacher perfectly. She doesn't just want her students to learn, she wants them to leave her classroom believing in themselves and knowing they can make a difference."

    -Theresa S., Former Collegue

  • "Samantha made third grade such a special year for our daughter, making learning fun while also helping to build her confidence. She loved the bright, welcoming classroom and especially her “Perseverance Platypus!” In the words of our daughter, "she gets a 10/10!"

    -Jenna Z., Parent of former student

  • "When Samantha helped me with reading I loved how she made it so fun. We didn't just read things. She had different activities and they were all related to different cities she traveled to and things I liked, such as lego! I have worked with her for 2 years and can't wait for our sessions."

    -Levi W., Age 7

  • “[Samantha] created a fun, engaging, and challenging learning environment that my son LOVED going to every single day. She created chants and songs that stuck in his head that helped his learning. It was clear she took the time to get to know each and every child in her class. When she saw my son could be pushed even further in his math skills, she invited him to a before school math group to challenge him further. She is an amazing teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.” 

    -Gia G., Parent of former student

  • "One of my favorite examples of Samantha’s creativity was the way she transformed our yearly math review into “The AMAZING Race.” Students raced from “country” to “country,” completing math tasks, physical challenges, and collaborative activities along the way. What could have easily been a routine review became an exciting, engaging experience that students looked forward to. Samantha has an exceptional ability to take common curriculum and turn it into stimulating, collaborative, and genuinely FUN learning experiences. Her creativity, enthusiasm, and ability to engage students are unparalleled."

    -Kendra W., Former Colleague

  • "Ms. Rosenfield's classroom was so cozy. It was always neat and organized. She made learning fun. Glow Day was the best day ever! She was really fun and kind. She was easy to talk to and so creative! She didn't feel like our teacher, but in a good way. She taught us but was also like a friend."

    -Lucy H., Age 10 and Pearl H., Age 12