National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions Announce 05 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows

WASHINGTON (March 17, 2015)-In recognition of their commitment to geographic education, 35 highly respected educators from the United States and Canada have been selected as this year's Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. The 2015 Fellows will embark on Lindblad voyages aboard the National Geographic Explorer and the National Geographic Endeavour for a one-of-a-kind field experience.

Every year, K-12 educators are encouraged to apply for this professional development opportunity that allows them to bring immersive geographic learning experiences back to their classrooms and communities.

The 2015 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are:

Paola Paz Soldan, Oceanside, California

Dawnetta Hayes, Cincinnati

Terri Sallee, Hobbs, New Mexico

Leslie Wiles, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Rebekah Rottenberg, Hood River, Oregon

Joan (Teri) Rutledge, Seattle

Laura Schetter, Holland, Ohio

Merinda Davis, Orem, Utah

Laura Wommack, Moscow, Idaho

Amy Austin, Superior, Colorado

Cassandra Nodine, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Teagan Thomas, Wilmington, Delaware

Douglas Anderson, Franklin, Tennessee

Jason Nord, Lincoln, Nebraska

Dave Grant, Rumson, New Jersey

Greg Gaiera, Bayside, California

Chris Flaherty, Duxbury, Massachusetts

Alexander Kmicikewycz, Chicago

Shannon Bomben, Belle River, Ontario

Carissa Martus, Aloha, Oregon

Xochitl Garcia, Astoria, New York

Angie Miller, Plymouth, New Hampshire

Tema Encarnacion, Arnold, Maryland

Lily Wehtje, Homestead, Florida

Janet Shedd, Lexington, Kentucky

Valerie Raymond, Kuujjuaq, Quebec

Janet Ruest, Cobble Hill, British Columbia

Nicole Means, Saint Francisville, Louisiana

Michael Presser, Riverside, California

Jesse Lowes, Portland, Oregon

Rebecca Detrich, Occidental, California

Shasta Bray, Cleves, Ohio

Ellie Clin, Toronto, Ontario

Beth Thomas, Great Falls, Montana

Kathy Eldridge, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Photos and biographies of the Fellows are available on the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow website at http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/2015-grosvenor-teacher-fellow-bios.

The Fellows will begin their 10- to 17-day expeditions, starting later this year, to locations including Arctic Svalbard, Iceland, Antarctica and the Gal pagos. Accompanied by Lindblad-National Geographic expedition experts - who range from undersea specialists to National Geographic photographers - the Fellows will be immersed in landscapes, cultures and wildlife unique to their regions of exploration. The expeditions will provide the Fellows with new and exciting knowledge that they can take back to their schools and integrate into their lesson plans.

Before their voyages, the Fellows will travel to National Geographic Society's headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they will participate in hands-on workshops covering photography and outreach planning, and they will have the opportunity to meet Lindblad Expeditions' naturalists and to network with previous years' Fellows.

The Grosvenor Teacher Fellow program is one that strongly aligns with what National Geographic is trying to accomplish overall as an organization: improving society by enhancing geographic competency, said Melina Bellows, chief education officer of National Geographic. The Fellows are not only given a great honor, but also a great responsibility. I look forward to hearing about their experiences and seeing how they leave their mark on geographic education.

National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions share a legacy of dedication to exploration and global stewardship. It is with great pride that we welcome the Grosvenor Teacher Fellows aboard our expedition ships, said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions founder and president. Our expedition teams are already preparing for this year's Fellows to ensure immersive and highly educational expeditions that will provide an unparalleled professional experience.

This year marks the ninth 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 to honor his service to enhancing and improving geographic education across the United States. Additional support for the 2015 program is provided by Google and private funders.

About National Geographic Society

With a mission to inspire, illuminate and teach, the National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. The member-supported Society, which believes in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world, reaches over 600 million people each month through its media platforms, products and events. National Geographic has funded more than 11,000 research, conservation and exploration projects, and its education programs promote geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com, and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions, specialists in expedition travel, works in alliance with the National Geographic Society to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. As pioneers of global exploration, their collaboration in research, technology and conservation provides extraordinary travel experiences and disseminates geographic knowledge around the globe. Their educationally oriented voyages to all seven continents allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, throu

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