Brad Lakey, who is finishing his master’s in education at University of Washington Bothell, has won a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to teach the next school year in Peru. A Marine Corps veteran, Lakey is UW Bothell’s 10th Fulbright award winner.
Lakey is a six-year Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Iraq. When he graduates on June 12, Lakey will receive his master’s in education, with English language learner and social studies endorsements, plus the teaching certificate. If that’s not enough, he is getting married the day before commencement. Lakey and his wife will travel to Peru in August to spend the next school year.
Lakey, 30, of Bothell grew up in Woodinville and Anchorage, Alaska, where he graduated from Robert Service High School. He joined the Marines out of high school and served in reconnaissance, working in small teams as a scout and forward observer.
After leaving the Marines, Lakey went abroad again as a volunteer English teacher in Ghana with the group ANANSI, which partners with schools to find sponsors for individual secondary students. Returning home, Lakey chose University of Washington Bothell where he finished his undergraduate degree in global studies in 2014 then started the master’s program.
When he returns home from Peru, Lakey plans to teach in Washington, perhaps in the Northshore School District.
Lakey has been involved in the YMCA Hang-Time after school programs at Northshore junior high schools. He led students in sports, games and homework help. He has also participated in events with UW Bothell’s Student Veterans Association.
The U.S. government’s prestigious Fulbright program offers grants for U.S. students, professionals, artists and scholars to go to 155 countries and for non-U.S. citizens to come to the United States to study, teach and conduct research. The program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. The competitive, merit-based grants provide round-trip airfare, monthly stipends and health insurance for the length of the stay, typically eight to 12 months.
