Discovering St. Maarten’s Heritage Through Experience – The Teacher Heritage Scavenger Hunt

About the Project

Rooted in the spirit of We Own T’ing—where culture is not just remembered but lived—the Teacher Heritage Scavenger Hunt was created to give educators a deeper, more immersive connection to St. Maarten’s heritage. Building on the success of the Little Explorers program, this initiative shifts the focus to teachers—equipping them with experiences they can bring back into their classrooms in meaningful and engaging ways.

Led by Project Manager Jillianne Maria and supported by Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, Focus Forward Media, We Own T’ing, and Sol Antilles, the hunt brought together teachers and cultural enthusiasts for a dynamic journey across the island. From Emilio’s Wilson Estate to Fort Amsterdam, One Tete Lokay, the Freedom Fighters Monument, and a unique bird-watching site in Philipsburg—each location became a chapter in St. Maarten’s living story.

Designed as an interactive scavenger hunt, the experience blended movement, teamwork, and storytelling. Participants didn’t just visit these spaces—they engaged with them through challenges, problem-solving, and shared discovery. It was learning in motion… culture in action.

More than a competition, the hunt was about impact. While Team “Salt Pond Seekers” emerged as winners, every participant walked away with new cultural insight and practical tools to bring heritage into their teaching. Because when educators experience culture for themselves, they don’t just teach history—they bring it to life.

This is what We Own T’ing stands for—owning our stories, sharing them boldly, and keeping our culture alive for generations to come.

Meet the Project Manager: Ms. Jillianne Maria

Jillianne Maria is the visionary behind the Teacher Heritage Scavenger Hunt—a proud mom of two, cultural enthusiast, and strong advocate for meaningful, experience-based learning.

Her passion lies in ensuring that education goes beyond textbooks, allowing both teachers and students to connect with St. Maarten’s identity in real and lasting ways. Recognizing the need for more culturally grounded learning experiences, she designed this initiative to place educators directly within the stories, spaces, and history of the island.

With a background in coordination and community initiatives, Jillianne brings together culture, education, and innovation to create impactful experiences. For her, this project is about more than learning—it’s about connection, pride, and empowering educators to pass on the richness of St. Maarten’s heritage.