Judith Painter, an eighth-grade geography teacher at Andrew Lewis Middle School, has been selected as one of this year’s Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows in recognition of her commitment to geographic education.

The 2018 Fellows, a group of 40 highly respected educators from the United States and Canada, will embark on global expeditions on board the Lindblad Expedition ships – National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endeavour ll and National Geographic Sea Lion for a hands-on experience for professional development.

“When I found out I was chosen for an expedition to Antarctica, I was floored and in a state of simultaneous shock and elation,” says Painter. “Immediately, my thoughts jumped from what I was going to see and do and then to how would I bring my passion in this experience to my classroom and to my colleagues. I am extremely honored that National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions selected me to be part of this program.”

This year marks the 12th year of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program, established to honor former National Geographic Society Chairman Gilbert M. Grosvenor’s lifetime commitment to geographic education. The program began with two Fellows in 2007 and has grown each year. The expeditions were donated in perpetuity to the National Geographic Society by Sven-Olof Lindblad and Lindblad Expeditions to mark Grosvenor’s 75th birthday in 2006 and honor his service to the enhancement and advancement of geographic education.

Each year, pre-K–12 educators are encouraged to apply for this one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity. Fellows enhance their geographic learning through direct, hands-on field experience and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and professional communities.

Starting later this year, the 2018 Fellows will begin their 10 to 17-day expeditions to locations including the Canadian High Arctic, Antarctica, Southeast Alaska, Arctic Svalbard, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the Galápagos Islands. Accompanied by Lindblad-National Geographic expedition experts, ranging from undersea specialists to National Geographic photographers, the Fellows will experience landscapes, cultures and wildlife unique to their regions of exploration.

“During the expedition, I hope to find ways to relate a faraway and often abstract place to my students,” says Painter.  “I am passionate in searching for ideas to help instill a love of learning and exploration in my students at a local level that can connect to Antarctica. Seeing icebergs and penguins in the natural environment has sparked my enthusiasm and openness to the unknowns that I will encounter.”

This past weekend, the Fellows traveled to National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they participated in a multiday, hands-on, pre-expedition workshop covering everything from photography to outreach planning and had the opportunity to network with Lindblad Expeditions naturalists and past Fellows.

“Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are an integral part of National Geographic’s work to achieve a planet in balance,” says Mike Ulica, Interim President and CEO of the National Geographic Society. “Educators like these Fellows ensure that students are equipped with geographic knowledge and global awareness, empowering the next generation to create solutions for a healthier and more sustainable future.”

“These are exemplary educators who play a vital role in shaping and inspiring the future stewards of our planet. We are committed to taking them to some of the world’s most remote and pristine places to help fuel their passion to share knowledge, and the world, with their students,” says Sven Lindblad, CEO and president of Lindblad Expeditions.

-Submitted article