Samantha Willsey

Samantha Willsey

Fellowship Placement: U.S. Geological Survey 
Hometown: Bremen, Indiana

Samantha Willsey, science educator from Bremen, Indiana, has spent the last 15 years fostering a love for science and global exploration among her students. Samantha’s professional journey began at Indiana University in Bloomington, where she earned her BSED in Earth-Space Science Education. During her time at IU, she completed her student teaching in Kenya through the transformative Cultural Immersion Program. She has taught Geology, Astronomy, Biomedical Science, 7th and 8th grade science in multiple Indiana public school classrooms. For the past seven years she taught 8th grade science at NorthWood Middle School (Wakarusa, IN). While most of her work has been at home in Indiana, the joy of an adrenaline rush led her on a journey around the globe. She served as an English Instructor in South Korea, a science teacher in Costa Rica, and a homeschool teacher in Uganda. These experiences ignited her passion for global education and cross-cultural understanding, paving the way for her achievements in the field. In 2017 Samantha founded an international travel program for Wa-Nee Community Schools. This initiative allows her rural students to explore some of the world’s most biodiverse locations, sparking their curiosity and global perspectives. She is now mentor and Global Education Ambassador to promote experiential interdisciplinary education. As a Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms Fellow (France, 2022) and National Geographic Certified Educator, she continually seeks opportunities to infuse her classroom with diverse perspectives. Her participation in a study of marine biodiversity in Baja, Mexico as an Ecology Project International Fellow transformed her teaching practices. She is on a mission to build environmental literacy, so that students realize how individual actions affect local and global ecosystems. Her leadership roles extended beyond the classroom as she took on roles as the Science Department Chair, Volleyball Coach, Athletic Supervisor, and spearheaded the Language Exchange Club. Samantha’s journey in education has been marked by her unwavering dedication to inspiring scientific literacy and global awareness. Through her efforts, she has empowered countless students to embrace their roles as global citizens and channel their curiosity into positive action to create change in a changing world.