Miami Teacher Walks 120 Miles in Spain to Give Students Their First School Dance

Roxana Rauseo raised over 2,500 euros for a special end-of-year celebration for her Spanish high school students.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Miami native living in Spain, Roxana Rauseo, walked over 120 miles on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to raise funds so she could throw her Spanish high school students their first-ever school dance. Rauseo, an English teaching assistant, learned her students had never experienced a traditional school dance, so she decided to take action and surprise them with a special end-of-year celebration.

Why it matters

Rauseo's gesture highlights the importance of providing enriching cultural experiences for students, especially those who may not have access to common American traditions like school dances. Her dedication to her students and willingness to go the extra mile, both literally and figuratively, showcases the positive impact teachers can have on young people's lives.

The details

Over 10 days, Rauseo walked more than 120 miles on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, raising around 2,500 euros to fund a school dance for her Spanish high school students. The students, who had never experienced a traditional school dance before, will be surprised with the celebration Rauseo is planning to throw for them by late June.

  • On Easter Sunday, Rauseo crossed the finish line at the iconic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
  • Rauseo plans to surprise her students with the dance plans on Tuesday.

The players

Roxana Rauseo

A Miami native living in Guardo, Spain, where she works as an English teaching assistant at a local public high school.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Although I'm mentally, physically, emotionally exhausted -- it really means the world to me and to my students.”

— Roxana Rauseo

What’s next

Rauseo plans to surprise her students with the dance plans on Tuesday and hopes to throw them a proper end-of-year dance by late June.

The takeaway

Rauseo's selfless act to provide her Spanish high school students with their first school dance experience demonstrates the profound impact teachers can have when they go above and beyond to enrich the lives of their students, even in unexpected ways.