by Jonathan Moreno on 2015-04-07

In recognition of commitment to geographic education, Michael Presser, a teacher at Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley was selected as one of the 2015 Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. Every year, K-12 educators are encouraged to apply for this professional development opportunity which allows them to bring immersive geographic learning experiences back to their classrooms and communities. Presser is one of 35 highly-respected educators from the United States and Canada to receive this honor. Later this year, Presser will embark on a 10-day Lindblad voyage aboard the National Geographic Endeavor to the Galapagos Islands for a one-of-a-kind field experience, accompanied by Lindblad-National Geographic expedition experts. The expedition will provide Presser with new and exciting knowledge to bring back to Rancho Verde High School and integrate into lesson plans. Before the voyages, Presser will travel to National Geographic Society’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to participate in hands-on workshops covering photography and outreach planning, and will have the opportunity to meet Lindblad Expeditions’ naturalists and network with previous years’ Fellows. 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-OlofLindblad 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. [END] Photos and biographies of Michael and the other Fellows are available on the Grosvenor Teacher Fellow website at http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/2015-grosvenor-teacher-fellow-bios. 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, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. Destinations include the Galápagos, Antarctica, the Arctic, Baja California, Alaska, Australia, Costa Rica & Panama, the Amazon, Southeast Asia & Pacific, Africa, Indian Ocean, Europe, Mediterranean and beyond.