So where did this all begin????

Just under a year ago, I began the process of applying for the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions.  This was my second attempt and I decided to put my entire heart on the line for the application – from my love of teaching, to the light bulb moments with students, to my extreme infatuation with penguins…

In February 2018, I answered my phone to an unknown number from Washington, D.C.  I usually don’t answer unknown numbers and I let them go to voice mail.  But this one was insistent and called again!!!  On the other end of the line was Meghan Modafferi with National Geographic Education telling me I was going to Antarctica.  Now between the shock and disbelief and unconstrained excitement, I still had to pack my two sons and myself as we were leaving for Disney in 2.5 hours!!!!!  So not only was I going to Disney, but I’d been selected to travel to Antarctica and I couldn’t tell anyone yet!!!!  I was allowed to tell family and my administration, but we decided to keep it small as the release date wouldn’t be until the end of March.

Fast forward to the end of March….

All 40 of the 2018 Grosvenor Teacher Fellows met in Washington, D.C. at National Geographic Headquarters for time to meet each other and learn about the program and our responsibilities.  By the last day we were finally able to tell everyone.  So of course I called home to let my daughter know that she could now tell people.  On the other end of the phone, I hear her scream “Mom’s going to Antarctica!!!!”  THEN I hear my 7 year old son crying hysterically and screaming about not getting to see Mom again.  Way to go darling!

Fast forward to today….

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I’ve now read 10+ books on Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego, and the Drake Passage.  I’ve met countless amazing people who have educated me about photography, Antarctica, and the actual expedition.  I’ve developed the beginnings of lessons for my students before I leave and the concepts of possible lessons when I return.  I’ve secured my cold weather gear and tested it at several 30°F soccer tournaments – I’ll never be cold sledding again!!! And now the journey begins….

Over the next few weeks, I’ll sporadically update with interesting websites, lessons, and tidbits from my classroom and my readings.  The photos and personal stories will come in January and on.