Lakeview Junior High School Teacher Prepares for Learning Experience Nearly 6,644 Miles Around the World

While Summer Break Begins, One PLSD Teacher Heads for International Study in Japan

While summer break may be underway, Lakeview Junior High teacher Lucas George is preparing for an extraordinary professional learning experience halfway around the world.

George has been selected for the 2026 Keizai Koho Center Teacher Fellowship, an international program that brings a small group of educators from the United States and Canada to Japan for immersive study. He is one of only seven educators selected nationwide for this year’s cohort.

From June 22–30, George will travel to Japan to explore the country’s economy, visit schools and businesses, and participate in roundtable discussions with educators and industry leaders. The experience also includes cultural learning opportunities such as homestays and guided excursions designed to deepen understanding of Japanese society.

The fellowship is organized by the Keizai Koho Center (KKC), an independent nonprofit affiliated with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and is designed to strengthen global understanding through firsthand learning experiences.

For George, the opportunity is both professionally meaningful and personally inspiring.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be selected for such a prestigious fellowship, especially alongside such a select group of educators nationwide,” he said. “I have long been passionate about comparative education, and this opportunity feels like the culmination of a lifelong curiosity about how different cultures approach learning and community.”

As an American history teacher, George says the experience will help bring global perspective into student learning back home.

“This fellowship will allow me to bring authentic, first-hand experiences from Japan into my classroom, enriching our discussions on global economics and society, and inspiring my students to think as global citizens.”

George also shared appreciation for Principal Ben Baptist and colleague Gregory DeVoe for their support throughout the application process.

George is also looking forward to experiencing Japan for the first time and continuing his interest in global cultures that began with earlier international travel.

While summer may signal a break for many, for George it marks the beginning of a journey filled with learning, collaboration, and global discovery—one he will bring back to his students at Lakeview Junior High.

FUN FACTS | Did You Know?

• This will be Lucas George’s first trip to Japan 
• He previously traveled internationally in 2019 to Lebanon with family to explore his heritage 
• He is preparing for the long flight with books and podcasts on Japanese history 
• He plans to learn basic Japanese phrases before departure