The Inaugural Teaching Fellows Program is Expedition-tested at Amazon’s Boiling River
Kick off the fall lecture series at The Explorers Club with a report fresh from the field – and celebrate the return of our inaugural class of Teacher Fellows!
The Boiling River of the Amazon is one of the most spectacular ecosystems on Earth! Up to 100-feet wide, 15-feet deep, flowing for over four miles, and capable of reaching temperatures over 200°F– this extreme ecosystem was the perfect place to expedition-test the inaugural TEC Teacher Fellows Program! This program seeks to bring together teachers and explorers like never before, and aspires to set new standards for how exploration is done.
Through this program, four K-12 US classroom teachers joined the Boiling River Expedition as full expedition members, actively participating in the research and conservation work—and finding new ways to bring exploration into their classrooms.
Join us for a night of stories from the 2025 Boiling River Expedition, to celebrate the successful return of TEC Flag 114 and Rolex Expedition Watch Explorer II, and to usher in a new flagship program at The Explorers Club.
This in-person event at the Explorers Club Headquarters will include an audience Q&A.
RESERVATIONS
This will be an in-person lecture at Explorers Club Headquarters.
In-person tickets are $20 for Members, and $35 for the General Public.
Check-in will begin at 6:00 pm, with a beer and wine reception from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Andrés Ruzo
Andrés Ruzo-Callejas is a geothermal scientist, conservationist, educator, NatGeo Explorer, and a TED speaker. He holds degrees in geology and finance, and is currently working on his PhD. He is best known for his work on Peru’s Boiling River of the Amazon, where he became the first geoscientist to receive the shamanic blessing to study this sacred Amazonian site. Much of Andrés’ work focuses on bridging gaps and finding harmony between traditional Indigenous and modern Western science.
Jonnathan Fallas
Jonathan is a middle school science and special education teacher in the New York City public school system, where he teaches 8th grade biology. Born and raised in Queens, he is passionate about supporting diverse learners and integrating literacy into his science instruction. His family originates from Ecuador and Costa Rica. Outside the classroom, Jonathan enjoys running, playing tennis, and traveling. He is a Mets and Knicks fan, and is currently training for his second half marathon. Jonathan graduated from Hunter College, where he was able to conduct field research on wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda. He currently attends St. John’s University, where he is pursuing his MSEd. Jonathan was recently selected for the Explorers Club Teaching Fellowship and looks forward to participating in an upcoming expedition and collaborating with his Peruvian counterparts.
Julie Klipfel
Julie Klipfel is a 4th grade teacher at Howe-Manning Elementary School in Middleton, Massachusetts, an adjunct professor at Salem State University, and a current Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow. She is passionate about leveraging technology and innovative teaching practices to help young learners explore the intricate relationship between global awareness, local action, and our shared interconnectedness. As a 2023 National Geographic/Lindblad Grosvenor Teacher Fellow in Patagonia and a 2025 Explorers Club Teacher Fellow exploring the Boiling River, Julie brings these expeditions directly into her classroom through virtual reality and immersive storytelling. Julie inspires her students to approach the world with curiosity, empathy, and a sense of adventure, nurturing the next generation of explorers and changemakers.
Alejandro Mundo
Alejandro Mundo is a geoscientist and educator whose work bridges climate research and education. As an associate researcher and educator with NASA GISS’s Climate Change Research Initiative, he has co-led urban climate studies focused on sustainability and environmental justice, using remote sensing to explore climate processes in cities. At Kingsbridge International High School in the Bronx, he empowers international students through hands-on, inquiry-based learning and real world science experiences. His students’ projects have been featured in the media, reflecting his commitment to making science accessible and relevant. His mission is to foster meaningful relationships, inspire discovery, and support students of color in pursuing STEM careers.
Ben Walker
Ben Walker is a National Board Certified science teacher at Romig Middle School in Anchorage, Alaska. He believes strongly in the equity of wild spaces and getting all students into nature. In an increasingly technological world, conservation depends on connection and it starts with our youngest generation of planetary stewards, students, exploring the natural world. Through connection and understanding of the natural world, future generations can work for a more sustainable world. Ben is excited to bring the natural phenomena of the Boiling River back to Alaska students and educators so they can explore the wonder of nature through multiple scientific, historical, and cultural lenses. He is the 2018 Alaska State Teacher of the Year and a 2022 National Geographic/Lindblad Grosvenor Teacher Fellow traveling to Antarctica.
