Published in the June 21, 2013 issue of the Bainbridge Island Review.

Bainbridge High School teacher Brad Lewis is no stranger to traveling, whether it is on an extended trip to teach or a short visit.

The boys basketball coach and statistics teacher won a grant last month that will send him on yet another adventure. This time it will be in the African bush alongside Earthwatch statisticians and scientists who are collecting data to study the effects of human life on the leopard population of the region.

“It’s nice, for every five to seven years, to have something like this,” Lewis said. “Just to keep you fresh.”

Hilton HHonors hosted the Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition that is giving 15 K-12 teachers in the U.S. a chance to travel this summer to a destination of their choice where they can experience first-hand the subject they teach. The competition’s vision is that by giving teachers the opportunity of subject immersion, they can bring the experience back to the classroom, enriching the curriculum and inspiring students to also explore the world.

After a competitive selection process that included thousands of submissions, a panel of education experts selected Lewis in April as one of 30 finalists. From those 30, public voting finished the selection process of 15 teachers.

Students and colleagues spread the word to vote for Lewis.

There were occasions where students had their phones out during class, but when Lewis asked them to put it away, the prevailing response was that they were voting for him. Family members of his students recognized him at Town & Country and assured him that they were voting for him also.

“I don’t think I would have won the grant without them,” Lewis said of his students and the Bainbridge community.

“The district is so supportive, BHS is full of amazing teachers. I’m just a snippet of it all,” he said.

Winners of the competition are receiving a grant valued at $6,000 to travel. In addition, each winning teacher’s school will receive a $2,500 grant for cultural activities or enhancements.

A former Fulbright recipient, Lewis received an email to Fulbright alumni that shared the Teacher Treks opportunity. He jumped on it.

Click here to continue reading.