Clay will be working with National Geographic Society staff this year focusing on bringing National Geographic resources and programs to urban school systems.

Valencia D. Clay of Baltimore Design School,  has been selected as a National Geographic Education Fellow in recognition of Clay’s thought leadership in the education space and will help to elevate the work and reach of the National Geographic Society’s educational offerings. As an Education Fellow, Clay will support innovative project development and project leadership, share their expertise on an emerging issue or priority and help incubate new ideas for improving K-12 geographic education. Seven other highly respected educators from the United States and Canada were also selected as the 2019 National Geographic Education Fellows.This opportunity provides inspirational individuals with a platform to communicate their work and its contribution to the National Geographic Society’s purpose and its vision of achieving a planet in balance. Fellows work alongside National Geographic staff to ignite the spirit of exploration in the next generation and to provide classroom resources and student experiences that reach millions of students throughout North America each year. Through the National Geographic Education Fellowship, Clay will connect with communities of like-minded educators and National Geographic Explorers from around the world.

As part of this recognition, the Education Fellows traveled to National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., this month where they participated in a multiday, hands-on workshop. The course included a National Geographic Science telling Bootcamp, where candidates learned from world-class National Geographic staff and previous Education Fellows about how to make the most of their Fellowship.

Clay will be working with National Geographic Society staff this year focusing on bringing National Geographic resources and programs to urban school systems. Throughout the Education Fellowship, Clay will receive training and support from National Geographic to help elevate them and their work.

Photograph by Becky Hale, National Geographic

“Valencia D. Clay is dedicated to bringing opportunities and recognition to students and educators in urban school systems in the U.S.

Clay is currently a middle-school English teacher and critical theory professor in Baltimore. With literature as the foundation, she prompts her students to analyze culturally relevant matters from a critical stance.

Clay’s students are the published authors of Broken Keys Don’t Unlock Doors, an anthology of essays and reflections about their perspective on urban education. Clay herself is the author of Soundless Cries Don’t Lead to Healing: A Critical Thinking Guide to Cultural Consciousness, and the co-founder of The Flourishing Blossoms Society for Girls, Inc., with chapters in Harlem and Baltimore.

Follow Valencia D. Clay on Twitter: @ValenciaDClay”  Click to read full article and see the amazing fellows that National Geographic has selected this year.

And stay tuned to hear more about Valencia Clay’s project and where it will take her…

For more information about National Geographic’s commitment to education and other opportunities to get involved, visit, natgeo.org/education.