NCGE Member Spotlight
Every month NCGE picks a current member to spotlight. Check out below for information on this months spotlight member. If you are interested in being the NCGE Member Spotlight or would like to nominate someone please e-mail Membership Coordinator Ashley Thomas at athomas@ncge.org
Thomas received his bachelor's degree in History from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA where he also obtained his M.A. In 1990, he received a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University in Ohio. He recently retired after a 40-year career in public education, beginning as a Social Studies instructor in the Cleveland City Schools and is also retiring after 27 years as the Curriculum Director in Collingswood Public Schools in New Jersey. He was involved in Virtual High School, which offers over 180 elective courses to motivated high school students, in 1997. In addition to supervising his high school’s students taking these classes, he also wrote and taught a semester-long class on the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition that made extensive use of on-line geography resources documenting their journey.
Thomas and his wife began traveling extensively in recent years and have visited Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Washington State and New England. They have enjoyed lodging in many Western national parks and look forward to spending time in Rocky Mountain National Park this Summer after NCGE's conference this year in Denver, CO.
Learn more about Thomas below:
NCGE: How long have you been an NCGE Member?
Thomas: About six months
NCGE: What led you to geography education?
Thomas: I have always been fascinated with maps and one of my first teaching assignments was in the area of World Geography. I am currently developing an on-line Advanced Placement class for Virtual High School entitled Human Geography that encompasses all of the standards recommended by both the College Board and the various national organizations.
NCGE: Your favorite place you’ve ever travelled to?
Thomas: Glacier National Park with Yellowstone a close second.
NCGE: How has your NCGE membership advanced your career?
Thomas: Since I recently joined and am now a retired educator it has had no effect.
NCGE: What is your favorite part of being an NCGE Member?
Thomas: I have enjoyed receiving the journals as well as the on-line resources that I have been using to develop my class. I also look forward to attending the national conference in August.