Summary
In the winter 2023, Geographic Educators of Nebraska obtained funding from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Documents (TPS) grant to conduct a summer workshop and fall follow-up activities. The workshops took place in the summers of 2023 and 2024, The workshop focused on the “Historical Geography of the City” which used the cultural landscape as a primary document. Presenters will explain the results of the workshop, lessons learned, how to apply for funding, and what we regard as some of the keys to a successful application.
Session Focus
All Grade Levels | Curriculum and Instruction | Cultural Landscape, Funding Opportunity, GIS
Conference Room
Iowa
Meet the Presenter
Harris Payne began his career at Omaha Public Schools, teaching geography to 9th graders at Nathan Hale Junior High School in 1979. He also taught at Omaha North High School and Burke High School. In 1990, he was one of the founding members of the Nebraska geography alliance, Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON). In 1990, he attended the National Geographic Summer Geography Institute and was on staff at the institute during the summers of 1991 and 1992. His Omaha North High School geography students competed in the American Express Geography Competition and placed 3rd, 2nd, and 1st three times. In 2005, he became the Supervisor of Social Studies for Omaha Public Schools. During his tenure as supervisor, Mr. Payne obtained funding for three Teaching American History Grants, which provided funding for over eighty teachers to obtain a master’s in historical studies degree, revised the district assessment system from bubble tests to performance assessments, and created the Making Invisible Histories Visible program. He retired from OPS in 2012 for six days and began a second career as the Director of Social Studies for the Nebraska Department of Education. His primary responsibility with the department was developing and implementing the 2012 and 2019 Nebraska State Social Studies Standards. He retired from that position in 2020 and was elected president/chair of Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON). In 2021, he became the Geography Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) chair. Mr. Payne has a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies education, a master’s degree in geography, and a master’s degree in educational leadership. He is currently a graduate student pursuing his doctorate. Over the course of his career, he has taught Human Geography, World Regional Geography, Geography of East Asia, Urban Geography, Climate and Waters, Landforms and Soils at Data College, Midland College, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He likes traveling the world with his wife, Christy, and spending time with his six grandchildren.
