Awards Program

NCGE recognizes educators and advocates who have made outstanding contributions to geography education. Awards are given for teaching, research, and service. Award nomination materials are submitted online. Winners are recognized at a special ceremony during NCGE’s annual conference.

Award Nominations

Nominees and Nominators must be NCGE members at the time of application. NCGE will only accept one nominee per nominator in any award category. NCGE will only accept one nominee per school/institution in any award category. NCGE reserves the right to not make an award in any given year. There may be more than one winner in any category. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Previous award winners are ineligible. Applicants should follow the application direction provided.

Service and Teaching Awards

George J Miller Award for Distinguished Service to Geographic Education

The Council’s highest award, for distinguished service in geographic education. Nominations are made to the Miller Award committee by contacting the current NCGE president-elect.

Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Awards

Recognizes excellence in higher education geography teaching.

AP Human Geography Distinguished Teaching Award

Recognizes excellence in geography teaching for the AP Human Geography course.

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Honors individuals who work outside of the formal classroom, but have made outstanding contributions to support geography education.

Brunn Innovations in Geography Award

Recognizes outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers who have demonstrated great creativity, originality, and innovation in their teaching of geography.

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Awards

Recognizes excellence in geography teaching at the primary and secondary levels.

Research Grant Awards

E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Grants for Research in Geographic Education

To advance the frontiers of geographic education by supporting and promoting innovative research in theory, practice, and application. Submissions are made to the Miller Grants committee.
Now open

Salvatore J. Natoli
Dissertation Award

Encourages dissertation research in geography teaching and learning. Submissions are made to the Natoli Grants committee.
NOW OPEN

Congratulations to all of the outstanding NCGE award winning educators!

2022 Recipients

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Zena Lewis

Owasso Public Schools

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Kim Richter

Piedmont Intermediate

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Nedra White

T.G. Barr Elementary

Distinguished Teaching Award Human Geography

Paula Woods

Clark County School District

Distinguished Teaching Award in Higher Education

Brian Cooper

Texas State University

Distinguished Teaching Award in Higher Education

Tracey Norrell

University of Tenessee

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Becca Castleberry

Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education

BRUNN Innovation In Geography Award

Jackie McCann

Florence Carlton Elementary

Presidential Award

Susan Hollier

 

With our deepest Appreciation we are proud to honor:

Dr. Jeffrey Lash

Board President
2021
Treasurer
2017-2019
Finance Committee Member
2014-2016

Dr. Larianne Collins

Board President
2022

In recognition of their guidance, leadership and commitment to Geography Education 

2020 & 2021 Recipients

Past Award Recipients

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