Education Empowers: Dr. Lívia Gama Fagundes
Dr. Lívia Gama Fagundes has dedicated 25 years to teaching, driven by a deeply personal experience. At just nine years old, she moved from Brazil to the United States and entered a fourth-grade classroom where she was seated at the back of the room, struggling to learn how to read. Her teacher didn’t know how to help her, and that feeling of isolation left a lasting impression. Determined to ensure no student ever feels that way, Dr. Fagundes chose to become a teacher who makes every child feel welcome—regardless of their background or language barriers.
Today, she teaches science to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at an elementary school in Queens, New York. Her mission is to spark a love of learning in all her students. She encourages them to think big and actively seeks out creative ways to bring lessons to life, making education an engaging and inspiring experience.
This year, National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage Group, launched its first-ever “Meet a National Geographic Explorer” Contest—an initiative designed to inspire students by connecting classrooms directly with a National Geographic Explorer. After receiving entries nationwide, the winning essay, submitted by Dr. Fagundes, highlighted the immeasurable importance of bringing the real world into the classroom, particularly for students in under-resourced communities.
Bringing the World into the Classroom
Dr. Fagundes was motivated to apply for the “Meet a National Geographic Explorer” Contest because, while technology and simulations play a role in her lessons, she believes nothing compares to interactive, sensory experiences that make learning truly come alive. She wanted her students to meet someone who had traveled the world, explored extraordinary places, and done something different. Her goal was to broaden their horizons, encourage them to think big, and expose them to ideas and career paths they might never have considered before.
Inspiring Belonging
When Dr. Fagundes told her students that National Geographic Explorer Malaika Vaz would be visiting, their reaction was pure excitement—and a little disbelief. To prepare, Dr. Fagundes taught a special lesson introducing Malaika’s work, sharing photos and videos to spark curiosity and build anticipation. For many of her students, the connection felt personal: like Malaika, a large population of the students are from South Asia. Seeing someone who shares their cultural background made the experience even more meaningful and inspiring.
A Transformative Experience
After Malaika Vaz’s visit, Dr. Fagundes’ students began imagining themselves as Explorers. Yet what resonated most wasn’t just the adventure, it was Malaika’s kindness and her message to chase their dreams and believe in themselves. Dr. Fagundes described the experience in one word: transformative. She is confident the visit has changed the trajectory of her students’ lives.
Keeping Curiosity Alive
Although the Explorer visit was just one moment in time, Dr. Fagundes plans to keep curiosity alive in her classroom by continuing to use National Geographic Learning resources. She fosters conversations and encourages questions, reminding her students that being a scientist starts with how you think—and that asking questions is where discovery begins.
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