Summary
The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) was founded in 1915 by George J Miller and Cora Sletten, both teacher educators at the then State Normal School in Mankato, Minnesota (today Minnesota State University, Mankato). Both taught Geography in the Social Science Division during their tenure in Mankato.
While it was originally called the National Council for Geography Teachers (NCGT), the purpose of this new organization was to “increase the effectiveness of geography teaching in America.” It was not until 1956, that NCGT changed its name to become the National Council for Geographic Education.
One of their main goals was to bridge the gap between the subject expertise of college professors and the pedagogical training and insights of K-12 teachers. Both Professors also believed that not all learning occurs in the classroom but actually viewed the whole world as a place for students to learn. Along with running some of the first national geographic education conferences and workshops, Miller
Session Focus
All Grade Levels |History | curriculum | Inquiry
Conference Room
Banquet Level – Mezzanine Area
The Presenters
Dr. Kyle Ward started his career as a 7th-12th grade Social Studies teacher and taught in Minnesota and Indiana. He has a master’s in History and his Ph.D. is in Curriculum and Instruction (emphasis Social Studies Education) from Indiana State University. He currently serves as the Director of Social Studies Education at Minnesota State University.
Kaitlyn Zaske-Simning is a student in her final year at Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is part of the Social Studies Teaching program, with a focus on history. Kaitlyn has experience working in curation and research at the Redwood Falls County Museum in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, and will be finishing her student teaching experience in December.
Joseph Jensen is a student at MSU where they are majoring in SOST with an emphasis in history. He is a member of history club and has gone to the colonial Williamsburg teachers institute. He Has student taught at Waseca High school in Waseca Minnesota.Noah Sather is a senior at MSU Mankato. He is majoring in Social Studies Teaching with an emphasis in history. A highlight in his collegiate and professional development has been going to the Bob and Marion Wilson Teachers Institute at Colonial Williamsburg.
- Katy Pearson
