Category: Educator Spotlight

Learn more about the inspirations and motivations of educators around the world in our Educator Spotlight series!

Sticky post
Educator Spotlight, Exploring Our World, Main

Rediscovering Black History in Louisville: A Reflection

For Black people, the Ohio River isn’t just any river—just like the Red Sea isn’t just any sea to Christian believers.  When enslaved Africans escaped from plantations to go North, the Ohio served as an almost-there point. They knew freedom waited on the other side if they could get there. Can you imagine facing that huge river, understanding what it meant once you got to the other side, while also remembering the family and friends you had to leave behind? Continue reading Rediscovering Black History in Louisville: A Reflection

National Geographic Education StaffLeave a comment
Sticky post
Classroom Ideas, Educator Spotlight, Exploring Our World, Main

24 Fourth Graders + a National Geographic Explorer = Magic

Educator Sharee Barton wrote this post. In the spring of last year, National Geographic Explorer Rosa Vásquez Espinoza stood behind a tree in Yellowstone National Park, waiting to surprise 24 fourth-grade students with whom she’d been Zooming for several months. Suddenly, a voice yelled “Watch out” and Rosa turned around to see a huge bison walking in her direction. Rosa quickly moved away from the … Continue reading 24 Fourth Graders + a National Geographic Explorer = Magic

National Geographic Education Staff3 Comments
Sticky post
Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Educator Spotlight, Main

The Whole Earth Breathes: Connections to Explore on World Breathing Day

A powerful example of the relationship between humans and the natural world lies in the breath — the action of inhaling oxygen produced by the natural world and using it to fuel our lives. In observance of World Breathing Day, April 11, 2022, you can explore relevant resources and activities in my ArcGIS StoryMap “One Breath at a Time,” embedded below, then join me on a journey through the anatomy of our lungs and how they connect us with the entire Earth. Continue reading The Whole Earth Breathes: Connections to Explore on World Breathing Day

National Geographic Education StaffLeave a comment
Sticky post
Educator Spotlight, Exploring Our World

Stone Soup and Mystery Calls: Bringing the World to My English Learners

Educator Asma Mustafa wrote this post. When I was younger, I listened to Radio Monte Carlo. At the time, I didn’t understand the broadcasts, because I didn’t know English. When I moved from Saudi Arabia to Gaza at 14 years old, I decided to learn more. Listening to songs and watching movies in English made me dream of speaking English myself. My family wanted me … Continue reading Stone Soup and Mystery Calls: Bringing the World to My English Learners

National Geographic Education Staff2 Comments
Sticky post
Classroom Ideas, Educator Spotlight, Exploring Our World, Main

Teaching a PBL Unit on Water Transformed Our Students’ Learning

This post is transcribed from an interview with educators Debbie Holman and Nicole Orswell. Next year we’ll be teaching in a new middle-high school designed to encourage project-based learning (PBL). So, when given the opportunity to run a small PBL cohort this year, we thought: Why not give it a try? Let’s dip our toes in and share what we learn with the rest of … Continue reading Teaching a PBL Unit on Water Transformed Our Students’ Learning

National Geographic Education Staff1 Comment