GeoCircle: Teaching Political Geography and Strategies for 9th graders
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Webinar
Overview
Join us for an engaging conversation about Teaching Political Geography. This can be a challenge for students. Bring your questions, ideas and strategies for helping students be successful.
About the Facilitators
Maria Zuniga, and Jamie Tadryznski are teachers at Canyon Springs High School in Las Vegas. They teach 9th graders and both have a passion for teaching Political Geography.
Join the Session
About GeoCircles and Join the Session

Revolutionary Crossroads Field Experience
2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Travel to the Capital Region of New York June 21 – 28, 2026 to experience, reflect, and commemorate 250 years of US independence in one of the most dynamic and critical geographic areas in American and world history. Fort Ticonderoga, Lake George, Fort William Henry, Lake Champlain, Saratoga, Fort Orange (Albany), and the Mohawk Valley contain some of the most significant sites and situations that shaped the U.S. This 7-day experience will provide participants with the opportunity to visit historic sites and museums while working with scholars and archivists to consider and reflect on the significance of our country’s semiquincentennial through a geographic and multi-perspective lens.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Chris Bunin teaches social studies and Geospatial Technologies at Albemarle High School, and am an adjunct geography professor for the Virginia Community College System and the University of Virginia . From 2006 – 2012 he directed the Teacher Scholars Program for the Virginia Experiment and America on the World Stage Teaching American History Projects. In this role he coordinated and implemented inquiry-based experiential professional development opportunities for local classroom teachers.

Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

2892 Miles To Go
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
There are 2892 miles across the contiguous United States. Each of these miles symbolizes stories of resilience and innovation. Through mapped routes, StoryMapping, and place-based inquiry, 2892 helps learners reexamine local histories, amplify unheard voices, and create powerful digital stories that deepen our a collective understanding of the past and present.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Anita Palmer is a past middle and high school technology and social studies teacher who is the CEO of the “woman-owned business” GISetc started in 1999 to provide geospatial PD, curriculum, and support for educators and students. Author, Esri partner/educator, NatGeo Explorer, and lover of 2892 Miles to Go!

Access the Webinar
#member only access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

Beyond the Hype: Critical AI Literacy for Geography & Social Studies Educators
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has sparked both optimism and unease within education. For geography and the broader social sciences, GenAI tools such as ChatGPT promise efficiencies in curriculum design, data analysis, and feedback, yet they also produce errors, false citations, and cultural oversimplifications. The use of large language models poses ethical dilemmas that risk undermining core disciplinary practices in the social sciences. This session situates geography educators within this tension, emphasizing the need for AI and data literacy that is critical rather than uncritical. Drawing on recent research in geography and social studies education, I propose a framework of “error typologies” that reveal how GenAI can reshape knowledge production and interpretation of curricular content. The session will engage participants in considering ways to integrate AI that fosters critical inquiry and civic literacy, without outsourcing essential human judgment to machines. Rather than treating GenAI as a shortcut for assessment or content delivery, educators are invited to explore how it can serve as a tool for critique, revealing questions of bias, representation, and the implications for its use in the social studies classroom. Attendees will leave with some practical strategies for guiding classrooms to critically evaluate GenAI outputs and apply disciplinary thinking to AI-generated claims. Bring your questions and comments!
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Samantha Serrano is a 21-year veteran high school social studies teacher with primary responsibilities in geography and civics. A self-proclaimed technosketic, she encourages pause before abrupt implementation regarding educational technology. As a teacher, she loves making new lessons for her students, as a researcher, her interests include geography education, equity and access, critical theory, and educational technology, and as a mom, she has newfound interests in waterparks, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and jumpzones.
Access the Webinar
#member only access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

GeoCircle: A conversation for social studies methods instructors
2026-02-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Pre-service learning experiences and preparation are key to the way geography is taught now and in the future. We want to hear more about what is happening in the field and identify ways that NCGE can better support geography education in partnership with methods instructors.
The goal of the conversation is to share best practices and accessible resources and to identify trends, opportunities, and needs. What texts, resources, and learning experiences have methods instructors found to be most useful? What prior knowledge, questions, and interests do pre-service teachers have that creates opportunities or challenges in preparing them to teach geography? What kinds of resources would be helpful to have available in a methods course? How does geography fit into your overall approach to preparing teachers to teach all of the social studies disciplines?
The Facilitator
Samantha Serrano
Join the Session
About GeoCircles and Join the Session

GIS for Good - Using GIS for Community Impact
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
GIS For Good Initiative is a national initiative that empowers youth and communities through geospatial technology, storytelling, and leadership development. In alignment with our RomoGIS motto of “it always starts with the people,” this program uses GIS and drone education to turn data into action. Through hands-on learning, community mapping, and personal storytelling, GIS for Good develops the next generation of leaders who use technology to create local change. Students earn certifications, gain workforce experience, and build solutions for real-world issues by combining technical skills with their community expertise to drive social impact. Our GIS For Good program has supported community-led efforts from disaster response in St. Louis to student-led innovation in Detroit, Nashville, and The Bronx.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Frank Romo is a geospatial leader, educator, and community advocate dedicated to using GIS technology to drive meaningful change. As CEO of RomoGIS, he has pioneered the use of mapping and data visualization to tackle critical social challenges, from food insecurity to disaster recovery and public safety. With a background in community organizing, urban planning, and emergency response, Frank has spent his career equipping individuals, organizations, and local governments with the tools needed to make data driven decisions that foster stronger, more resilient communities.
Beyond his technical expertise, Frank is a passionate educator who empowers the next generation of change-makers through hands-on community mapping workshops and STEM education programs across the country. His GIS For Good work spans a wide range of impact-driven projects that foster community and workforce development opportunities by ensuring that technology skills and resources are accessible and actionable for all. Through his leadership at RomoGIS, Frank continues to push the boundaries of how geospatial technologies can be leveraged to enhance workforce development efforts, drive economic opportunity, and community change.
Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

MapMaker - A Two-Part Series
2026-03-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Join us for this two-part webinar (March 11 & April 1) that will highlight the steps needed to get started using MapMaker in your classroom and for your students. You will be able to follow along with the webinars to create an activity you can use in your classroom. Both parts of the webinar will be recorded for you to review. You do not need a log in to use MapMaker. The pace will allow you to ask questions along the way as you create along with us.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Tom Baker is an education outreach manager at Esri, Inc., where he develops, manages, and assesses a wide range of educational projects. Hi portfolio includes curriculum design and evaluation, educational marketing, technical development, educational research, and teacher training. His work spans higher education, K12, and informal. He has a great interest in universal design and learning for all.

Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

Redlining: Omaha and Chicago
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Redlining has economic, social and political consequences. This webinar will offer views from two US cities on how they have changed their spaces and look to the future.
Audience Focus
Middle School, High School, APHG
Meet the Presenter
Jeanne Shin-Cooper has been a public high school educator for twenty years. Over the course of her career, she has taught multiple disciplines in the social sciences in addition to work within the field of EL. She is currently a consultant and exam reader for AP Human Geography and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She received her Masters in Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University and her Masters in Geography through the EDGE Program at University of Oregon. Currently, she serves on the Educator Advisory Committee for Harvard’s Religion and Public Life in conjunction with teaching College World Religions Dual Credit. Most recently, she was invited as a keynote speaker for Harvard University’s Global Studies Outreach Workshop.

Matthew Pierson is the Associate Director of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education. He is a 13-year veteran of the classroom, spending that time teaching social studies and economics at Omaha Bryan High School. He holds Master’s degrees in both History Education and Economic Education. He was a co-author of NAEE Silver

Access the Webinar
#member only access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

Commemorating and Learning from the 250th Anniversary of the Anza Expedition of 1775-76 Webinar Series
2026-03-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Webinar
Overview
Join the California Geographic Alliance and the National Park Services as they commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Anza Expedition of 1775-76 with this professional learning series featuring geographic and global perspectives on history.
SESSION 3 (ARRIVING): MARCH 25, 2026, 4:00-5:30 pm (PT)/7:00 – 8:30 pm (ET)
Legacies of the Expedition and the Making of Place in California, 1776 to 2026. What are the outcomes of the Anza Expedition? A settlement called Yerba Buena, a settler population that develops its own cultural and political identities, a sequence of transitions in control of the territory resulting in California’s incorporation into the United States. The people and the trail they followed continue to be relevant in many ways.
Audience Focus
For educators and students in Grades 4 and higher. Special relevance to 5th, 8th, and Ethnic Studies, but all are welcome to join.
How to Join
Pre-registration is required. Find out more and register here

MapMaker - A Two-Part Series
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Join us for Part II of this two-part webinar series that will highlight the steps needed to get started using MapMaker in your classroom and for your students. You will be able to follow along with the webinars to create an activity you can use in your classroom. Both parts of the webinar will be recorded for you to review. You do not need a log in to use MapMaker. The pace will allow you to ask questions along the way as you create along with us.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Tom Baker is an education outreach manager at Esri, Inc., where he develops, manages, and assesses a wide range of educational projects. Hi portfolio includes curriculum design and evaluation, educational marketing, technical development, educational research, and teacher training. His work spans higher education, K12, and informal. He has a great interest in universal design and learning for all.

Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

The AP Exam - Tips and Tricks to Prepare Students
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
In partnership with College Board, this webinar will provide strategies and ideas to help prepare your students for the AP exam. There will be McQ strategies, review of the FRQ task verbs and an overview of the exam itself.
Audience Focus
APHG
Meet the Presenter
Debra Coram Troxell is a National Board Certified Teacher from Winston-Salem, NC. She teaches AP Human Geography and International Relations at West Forsyth High School. Debra is an AP Human Geography exam reader, an AP PBL Consultant, and serves on the editorial board of The Geography Teacher journal. Jeanne

Jeanne Shin-Cooper has been a public high school educator for twenty years. Over the course of her career, she has taught multiple disciplines in the social sciences in addition to work within the field of EL. She is currently a consultant and exam reader for AP Human Geography and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She received her Masters in Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University and her Masters in Geography through the EDGE Program at University of Oregon. Currently, she serves on the Educator Advisory Committee for Harvard’s Religion and Public Life in conjunction with teaching College World Religions Dual Credit. Most recently, she was invited as a keynote speaker for Harvard University’s Global Studies Outreach Workshop.
Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

GeoCircle: Ripped from the Headlines - Bringing Current Events into the Geography Classroom
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Join us for an organic discussion and resource sharing about teaching Current Events in our classrooms. We all know that daily events can end up in our discussion as soon as they happen. What tools do you use? Do you wait to prepare for the conversation? How do you structure the discussions? Bring all this and join the conversation!
The Facilitator
Jane Highley is a middle and high school social studies teacher at Devon Preparatory School in Devon, Pennsylvania where she teaches AP U.S. Government, AP Human Geography, AP Comparative Government, and 8th Grade Civics & Citizenship. She is the 2024 winner of the Jack Miller Center K-12 Teaching Excellence Award, which is awarded to an educator who demonstrates an exceptional ability to engage students in the story of America through their teaching. She is also a Distinguished Ambassador for CFR’s High School Teacher Ambassador Program, in which Jane has actively participated for the past two years. Most recently, Jane has been approved as a teacher-consultant for the AP Summer Institute in Human Geography. She earned degrees from the University of California, the University of Pennsylvania, and La Salle University. She is a 2017 recipient of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship and a 2025 recipient of the Discover Korea Research Fellowship.
Kyle Tredinnick is a classroom Geography teacher and Adjunct Professor in Omaha Nebraska. He is an NCGE Board Member and a CFR Teacher Ambassador.

Join the Session
About GeoCircles and Join the Session

Esri StoryMaps - Part I
2026-04-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
ArcGIS StoryMaps have emerged as one of the most powerful and popular classroom tools from Esri in K12 education. Join us for this new, two-part series as we help you find, use, and then create StoryMaps. The first, hands-on webinar will focus on finding and using existing (or pre-built) StoryMaps to enhance your curriculum – across subject areas and grade bands. We’ll also show you how to quickly setup a free public account as we set the stage for creating your own StoryMaps.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Tom Baker is an education outreach manager at Esri, Inc., where he develops, manages, and assesses a wide range of educational projects. Hi portfolio includes curriculum design and evaluation, educational marketing, technical development, educational research, and teacher training. His work spans higher education, K12, and informal. He has a great interest in universal design and learning for all.

Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

Esri StoryMaps - Part II
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
ArcGIS StoryMaps have emerged as one of the most powerful and popular classroom tools from Esri in K12 education. Join us for the second part of this two-part series as we help you find, use, and then create StoryMaps.
Part-two of this hands-on StoryMap webinar series focuses on creating your own StoryMaps and sharing them with students. This session will include an overview of most of the tools available to StoryMap creators – and time to practice during the webinar.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Tom Baker is an education outreach manager at Esri, Inc., where he develops, manages, and assesses a wide range of educational projects. Hi portfolio includes curriculum design and evaluation, educational marketing, technical development, educational research, and teacher training. His work spans higher education, K12, and informal. He has a great interest in universal design and learning for all.

Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

Beyond Belief: Exploring the Multifaceted Identities of Jewish Americans
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
In this session, you will learn about Jewish Americans and gain tools for introducing the concept of identity to your students. Teachers will walk away with the confidence to teach about Jews as an ethnic and a religious group, while also modeling methods that can be used to instruct on other identity groups.
Audience Focus
All Grade Levels
Meet the Presenter
Erika Lowery is a veteran educator with 29 years of experience and an accomplished educator with a comprehensive background in various educational capacities. Her professional journey has included instruction in middle and high school geography(all levels), supervision of secondary social studies programs, and teaching elementary social studies methods at Baylor University. Currently, she provides professional development to teachers across the southern region as an educator for the Institute for Curriculum Services. Ms. Lowery’s dedication and excellence have been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the National Council for Geographic Education Distinguished Teaching Achievement award in 2013, her selection as the Texas Social Studies Supervisor of the Year in 2022, and her service on the 2022 World Geography TEKS revision workgroup in Texas.
Access the Webinar
#member only access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

GeoCircle: Spatial Thinking IRL - Taking Your Geography Students Outside
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
As spring continues and summer approaches, let’s get the students outside. Join us for a casual discussion about how to teach spatial thinking out in the field (outside) with your students. There are so many opportunities for hands-on, active learning. Whether you are a primary, middle or high school teachers there are activities for everyone! Come with ideas and questions.
The Facilitator
Joseph Kerski is a geographer with a focus on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in education. He has served as the President of the National Council for Geographic Education and has given 2 TED Talks on “The Whys of Where”. He holds 3 degrees in geography (BA, MA, PhD) and has served as geographer in 4 major sectors of society, including government (NOAA, US Census Bureau, USGS), academia (University of Minnesota, Harrisburg Area Community College, Penn State University, Sinte Gleska University, University of Denver, others), private industry (as Education Manager for Esri), and nonprofit organizations (with roles in geography and education associations). Joseph has authored over 100 chapters and articles, and 200 podcasts on GIS, education, space, place, and related topics. He has visited over 350 schools and 400 universities around the world. He regularly conducts professional development for educators. He has created over 6,200 videos, 1,000 lessons, 1,000 blog essays, and authored 12 books, including Interpreting Our World, Spatial Thinking in Environmental Contexts, Essentials of the Environment, Spatial Mathematics, Tribal GIS, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning, the GIS Guide to Public Domain Data, and others. But as a lifelong learner, he feels as though he’s just getting started and thus actively seeks mentors, partners, and collaborators.
Join the Session
About GeoCircles and Join the Session

Publishing with NCGE
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
Overview
Have a great lesson idea or trying something new in teaching geography that you would like to share? Consider publishing with the Journal of Geography or The Geography Teacher. This webinar will focus on the process, possible topics, and advantages of publishing with NCGE.
Audience Focus
All grade levels
Meet the Presenter
Kyle Tredinnick
Access the Webinar
#open access | Join Webinar Here
Not yet a member? More info and Join today!

NCGE 2026 Annual Conference
2026-10-16 08:00 - 2026-10-18 17:00 | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia, 23220
Geography on the Fall Line

Form a spatial cluster with educators, researchers, and leaders in the discipline to network, learn about new trends in educational practice and research, and explore a place and region with historical roots and a dynamic modern environment.
Learn More!
