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Nate Gibbs-Bowling '04, MiT '06

Gibbs-Bowling—a teacher and education thought leader whose writings on education and racism have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Tacoma News Tribune and most recently in Bill Gates’ blog, Gates Notes—is a graduate of AV����’s undergraduate Tacoma Program (’04) and its Master in Teaching program (’06). He is entering his eleventh year of teaching, currently teaching AP Human Geography and AP Government and Politics at Lincoln High School in his home town of Tacoma.

Gibbs-Bowling was the 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year and a 2016 finalist for National Teacher of the Year. In addition to being an outstanding educator, he is known as a strong advocate for his students, calling out issues of institutionalized education inequality that affect poor families and people of color in public schools.

“Nate was an obvious and fantastic choice to receive the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award,” said Dean Katz, a member of AV���� Foundation’s board of governors and the award selection committee. “As a public school teacher, Nate exemplifies the commitment to public service for which Joe will long be remembered. And as an innovative educator whose passion has touched the lives of hundreds of young people, Nate is living proof of the value and impact of an AV���� education.”

“AV����’s interdisciplinary approach was so empowering for Joe,” said Dear’s widow Anne Sheehan. “He found his own unique path and he believed in helping others find theirs as well. That’s why it’s so appropriate that Nate Gibbs-Bowling is receiving this award. He is a great example of someone who sees students for who they are and helps them achieve things they may not have thought possible.”