February 8, 2012 (Sacramento): Washington Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Kim Williams will go to the ends of the Earth to help her students understand the importance of protecting the environment. Literally.
 

Williams will journey to Antarctica this month with the 2041 International Antarctic Expedition, led by explorer Robert Swan, the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles. A 15-year classroom veteran, Williams was selected to participate by the “Coolest Teacher in the World” search, sponsored by the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools. She is only one of two teachers chosen; the other is Cate Arnold from Boston Latin School.
 

Williams will be available for interviews at Washington Elementary School’s “Go Green Family Night” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. TONIGHT (Wednesday, February 8), in the school’s cafeteria.
 

Williams departs for the frozen continent on February 27 with 90 other participants from all corners of the globe. Antarctica is the coldest, driest and most wind-swept place on Earth. Ninety-eight percent of Antarctica is covered with ice. The coldest natural temperature ever recorded on Earth was −128.6 °F at Antarctica’s Russian Vostok Station on July 21, 1983.
 

According to the USGBC, Williams was selected “Coolest” for her collaboration with California State University, Sacramento, and UC Davis, which brings “the creativity and expertise of science, engineering and math graduate students and faculty into her classroom.” She also started the school’s garden with a registered 4-H Junior Master Gardener Program.
 

WHAT: Teacher Kim Williams at “Go Green Family Night”
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. TONIGHT (Wednesday, February 8)
WHERE: Washington Elementary School
520 18th St., Sacramento, CA 95823