Our Program Leaders: Mentors, Educators, & Experts
Since 1951, Putney Student Travel has hired exceptional people to lead our programs. We select our leaders from a highly competitive pool of diverse and qualified candidates. We draw leaders with incredible experience in youth engagement, foreign language, international living, education, and travel.
Every year we receive more applications than we have positions for from candidates interested in spending their summer working alongside our students. Since these positions are in such high demand, we are able to hire the most qualified, charismatic, and passionate individuals possible.
Key Leadership Facts
• Selective hiring process and limited positions due to strong interest
• Many leaders hold advanced degrees (56% in 2025)
• Leaders include teachers, outdoor educators, Fulbright scholars, and Peace Corps volunteers
• All leaders are certified in CPR and First Aid
• Many leaders hold Wilderness First Responder or EMT certifications
• Average age of leaders is 32
• High retention rate: 67% of leaders in 2025 were returning veteran leaders
• All leaders complete background checks and intensive annual in-person training
• Leaders have expertise in program themes, languages, and destinations
“Working together and seeing the finished product brought a real sense of accomplishment and pride. Ellis spoke highly of his leaders. They were professional, yet fun and encouraging. They let the students help make some decisions on activities and included everyone.”
—Michele & Tyrone G., Houston, TX
Who Leads Putney Student Travel Programs?
Our leaders set our programs apart. We hire and train only the best international educators to lead our students. Putney has a selective hiring process, screening, interviewing, and vetting leaders over a 5-month period. They are often graduates of a wide range of highly respected colleges and universities, and come to Putney from prestigious positions with organizations like the Peace Corps, Teach for America, the Fulbright Program, and an array of academic institutions. They are published authors, respected teachers and professors, social workers, award-winning photographers, Putney alumni, and successful professionals in their fields. Our leaders come from diverse backgrounds and identities and are committed to working alongside students to become more informed global citizens. They bring with them both professional and real-world experience that enables them to be effective teachers, mentors, and guides.
Our program leaders have considerable personal and professional experience related to the program theme, local language, and program destination. More than half of our leaders hold or are pursuing master’s or other advanced degrees (56% in 2025).
What’s most important is that Putney leaders are incredibly passionate about their work, and love working with Putney students. This passion, and the magic of the Putney experience, leads to an extremely high retention rate: every summer, 65–75% of our leaders are returning veteran leaders.
Beyond Leadership
Our leaders distinguish themselves in fields ranging from teaching to writing and the arts, science and technology, athletics, journalism, law, medicine, and international development. Despite the diversity of their experiences, they share a commitment to safety, a passion for exploration, and an enthusiasm for helping students make their own unique discoveries. They are not only advisers, guides, and mentors, but also good friends.
Intensive Training
Our leaders are required to attend an intensive staff training every summer. During training leaders participate in workshops, discussions, and activities that focus on health, program safety, group dynamics, program logistics, leadership, the Putney Student Travel philosophy, and emergency protocols. All leaders are required to be First Aid and CPR certified, while many hold advanced certifications like Wilderness First Responder or EMT. All leaders go through a rigorous background check process each year they work with us.
Why Leaders Choose Putney
Our leaders report that they value the knowledge, expertise, flexibility, support, accountability, and independence that the Putney team offers throughout the year, from the recruiting and hiring process to leader training, travel, support in the field, and post-summer follow up.