Speakers & Presenters

Meet the passionate geography leaders sharing the latest approaches to support geography educators

Our guest keynote speaker, geography researchers, and experienced educators will expand your understanding and help you discover new geography tools that can be applied in the classroom.

Keynote Speakers

JUDITH SHAPIRO

China Planet: Environmental Implications of the Rise of China

Professor Judith Shapiro is the director of the Masters in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development for the School of International Service at American University. She was one of the first Americans to live in China after U.S.-China relations were normalized in 1979, and taught English at the Hunan Teachers’ College in Changsha, China. She has also taught at Villanova University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Aveiro (Portugal), Southwest Agricultural University in Chongqing, China, and Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University.

Professor Shapiro’s research and teaching focus on global environmental politics and policy, the environmental politics of Asia, and Chinese politics under Mao. She is the author, co-author or editor of ten books, including China Goes Green: Coercive Environmentalism for a Troubled Planet (with Yifei Li, Polity 2020), China’s Environmental Challenges (Polity 2016), Mao’s War against Nature (Cambridge University 2001), Son of the Revolution (with Liang Heng, Knopf 1983), and Our Extractive Age: Expressions of Violence and Resistance (co-edited with John-Andrew McNeish, Routledge 2021). Mao’s War against Nature inspired a documentary, and her early experiences in China were made into a television feature film.

Dr. Shapiro earned her Ph.D. in International Relations from American University. She holds an M.A. in Asian Studies from the University of California at Berkeley and another M.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Her B.A. from Princeton University is in Anthropology and East Asian Studies.

This presentation is sponsored by the North Carolina Teaching Asia Network via the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia

ALEC MURPHY

Making the Case for Geography

Drawing on his latest book, Geography: Why It Matters (Polity Press, 2018-2019), Alec Murphy will explore opportunities and strategies for conveying the power and importance of geography to students, administrators, and members of the general public. Murphy will suggest ways of communicating geography’s essence in light of the discipline’s inherent heterogeneity and the way it is often thought about in the wider world. He will also offer some ideas and approaches that can help clarify how geographical perspectives and techniques can contribute to addressing the challenges of a planet undergoing unprecedented change in the face of rising sea levels, species extinction, geopolitical upheaval, rapid urbanization, modern technologies, and mass
migration.

Alexander (Alec) Murphy, a long-time member of the geography faculty at the University of Oregon, has authored more than 100 articles, book chapters and books on geographical matters, including Geography: Why It Matters (Polity Press, 2018). He is a Past President of the American Association of Geographers, and current Senior Vice President of the American Geographical Society. In the late 1990s Murphy chaired the committees charged with developing and launching the Advanced Placement Human Geography program, and he later chaired the U.S. National Research Council study charged with identifying “Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences.” A recipient of the American Association of Geographers’ Lifetime Achievement Award and an elected to membership in the Academia Europea, Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in archaeology from Yale University, a law degree from the Columbia University School of Law, and a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Chicago.

Session Presenters

Curby Alexander

Curby Alexander is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the TCU College of Education. He teaches courses on instructional methods, digital communication and collaboration, and experiential education. His current scholarship is focused on K-12 technology integration, cybersecurity education and workforce development, and geospatial education.evels.

Peter Amosun & Abimbola OLAYEMI

Abimbola Andrew OLAYEMI is currently a doctoral student in the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, University of Ibadan. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Teacher Education (Geography/Early Childhood Education) and a Master of Education in Teacher Education (Social Studies). Mr. Olayemi’s research interests evolve around Geography Education, Climate Change Education, Social Studies Education and Curriculum Evaluation. He has over a decade teaching experience at the secondary school level. He is presently the Acting Principal of a private secondary school in Nigeria. Mr. Olayemi has written and published some articles in reputable journals. He has also published an e-book(How to excel in a school system).

Peter A. Amosun, Ph.D is a Professor of Social Studies Education and Geography Education at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Prof. Amosun’s research interests cut across Social Studies and Civic Education, Environmental Education, Climate Change Education, Geography Education, Internet Crime Prevention, and Curriculum and Instruction. He has made tremendous impact in promoting geography education within and outside the University community through scholarly work with local and international benefits. To his credits are several local and international journal articles, chapters in books and books. Professor Amosun is currently the Director, Centre for General Studies in the University of Ibadan. He was the immediate past Head, Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, University of Ibadan. He has supervised tens of undergraduate and Postgraduate students. He has acted as external examiners within and outside Nigeria. He has mentored many students who are now occupying strategic places and position in the academia both within and outside Nigeria.

Byron Augustin

Dr. Augustin has been a member of NCGE for 54 years. He served two three year terms on the Executive Board and one three year term as an officer. He taught at the university level for 42 years. He is the author of 14 books, 21
articles in refereed journals and multiple articles in magazines, and newspapers. He has also been active in photography with more than 1,600 photos published by 66 publishers on five continents. He was the Texas State Director for the National Council for U.S.-Arab Relations for six years and was the recipient of four Joseph J. Malone Faculty Fellowships to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE. After retiring, he and his wife Rebecca moved to the Yucatan Peninsula for eight years where he wrote for both Yucatan Living and The Yucatan Times. He returned to San Antonio in 2017, where he has been active in creating a Monarch Butterfly Migration Sanctuary, in an attempt to help save an endangered species.

Sarah Bednarz

Sarah Witham Bednarz is professor emerita of geography at Texas A&M University. Bednarz’s research interests are in the intersection of teaching and learning geospatial technologies and spatial and geographic thinking. She was PI on two major curriculum and educational research projects; co-authored the national geography standards, Geography for Life (1994 and 2012); participated in the National Research Council Learning to Think Spatially project, and helped to develop the National Assessment of Educational Performance (NAEP) framework in geography. In 2013 she co chaired the Geography Education Research Committee (GERC) of the 21 st Century Road Map for 21 st Century Geography Education Project. She has been an AP Human Geography reader, table leader, question leader, exam leader, and served on the Test Development
Committee.

Robert Bednarz

Robert Bednarz is emeritus professor of geography at Texas A&M University. His recent research has focused on spatial thinking, the impact of using geo-spatial technologies on spatial-thinking skills, assessment of spatial-thinking skills, and the implementation of geo-spatial technologies in science and geoscience curricula. He is past-president of the NCGE, former editor of the Journal of Geography, and current North American editor of the Journal of Geography in Higher Education.

Kelli Bergheimer

Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s in Business Management. Kelli is the Director of Curriculum and Assessments for Blue Kayak, a K-12 editorial development company. She also works as a DNA researcher and report editor for Legacy Tree Genealogists and a contributor for Your DNA Guide. Kelli runs a small business—Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. 

Emily Bollinger

Over her 18-year career, Emily has taught high school English in both traditional and alternative
settings, and she is now in her second year as an instructional coach, working with educators from all
disciplines. Emily has been a passionate advocate for traditionally underserved, marginalized scholars
and is consistently working toward transformational system change to remove barriers to opportunity
and achievement, particularly focusing on antiracist efforts. Emily also believes strongly in the
importance of global education and the necessity to investigate the world and one’s role in the
larger community; thus, she encourages her scholars and her peers to seek and understand multiple
perspectives, specifically those with experiences that differ from their own. As a lifelong learner and
champion for global education, Emily has participated in the Bridging Cultures program, Teachers for
Global Classrooms, EF Tours (both teacher and scholar trips), Qatar Foundation International and UT
Austin’s Teacher Leadership Program, and Centropa’s Summer Academy; additionally, she has
served as a chair for the Middle East Outreach Council Book Award. As a voracious reader, Emily
believes that literature offers opportunities to open one’s eyes, to empathize with others, to impassion
one to action, and to truly change the world.

Lynn Brown

K-12 Education Lead Lynn Brown is interested in visual culture, interdisciplinary engagements with all kinds of things, and student inquiry and enthusiasm. A twenty-year veteran educator in Boston and Cambridge public schools, Lynn has worked at the Leventhal Map & Education Center since 2018, creating and facilitating learning experiences with maps and map concepts for learners of all ages.

Anusha Chaudhary,

Anusha Chaudhary, is Ph.D. student at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. With a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, She possesses a solid foundation in the scientific principles that drive environmental research. Chaudhary has worked on diverse projects that have honed her expertise in land cover and land use mapping, spatiotemporal landscape analysis, socio-economic surveys, environmental impact assessment, and forestry auditing. These experiences have allowed her to gain valuable insights into the complexities of environmental management and conservation. Currently, her research focuses on the innovative application of remote sensing and GIS techniques to address two critical areas: the conservation of biodiversity and the management of disease risks. Chaudhary is intrigued by the relationship between disease risk and urban areas, with a particular emphasis on understanding the impact of land cover changes on vulnerable populations. By exploring these intricate interactions, she aspires to contribute to a deeper understanding of how the environment, human health, and disease transmission intertwine in urban settings. In addition to Chaudhary’s research, she has had the privilege of sharing her knowledge and passion as a teacher of the “Conservation of Resources” course at the University of Florida, where she guides and inspires undergraduate students in their exploration of environmental conservation. Through these academic pursuits and teaching endeavors, she is committed to making a positive impact on our understanding of the environment and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come.

Frances Coffey

Frances Coffey has taught AP Human Geography, World History and Geography, and AP Psychology in Fairfax County Public School for 16 years.  She is the Social Media and Communications Coordinator for the Virginia Geographic Alliance and has served as a Reader, Table Leader, and Early Table Leader at the AP Human Geography Reading.  She has presented findings from her field work in South Korea, Iceland, Barbados, Canada, Mongolia, and the U.S. West.  This past summer she engaged in research in Kenya and Tanzania as a participant in the East Africa Summer Institute for Educators, which was funded under the Fulbright Hays grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Brian Cooper

Dr. Brian Cooper is currently Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. He has taught over 16,000 students in his career in six different classes: World Geography, Geography of the United States and Canada, Political Geography, Economic Geography, Geography of Europe, and Geography of Texas. He was named International Studies Professor of the Year 2010-11, a Dean’s Nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Texas State in 2013, College of Liberal Arts Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2020, the Liberal Arts Golden Apple Award in 2021, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2021. Dr. Cooper was the recipient of the Higher Education Distinguished Teacher Award from the NCGE in 2022. He has also been selected as an Alpha Chi Favorite Professor seven times. His passion for his students extends beyond those enrolled in his classes; he gave several College Note-Taking lectures as part of Texas State’s Bobcat Preview freshman orientation program for many years.

Stephen Corsini

Stephen Corsini has served as a Social Studies Education Associate for the last 6 years at SCDE. He previously served as a middle school curriculum coordinator for three years after teaching several grades for 15 years. He has taught every content area, but social studies by far was his favorite. A former archaeologist, Corsini also taught adult ed within the SC Department of Corrections for nearly 5 years. He enjoys cooking and eating, swimming, and proudly sponsoring South Carolina’s ONLY annual Suicide Prevention benefit Concert, RitzFest, held the first weekend in February.

Shanna Crosson

Shana Crosson is a Spatial Technologies Consultant at U-Spatial at the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota, focusing on integrating geospatial technologies and spatial thinking across the curriculum in higher education and in K-12.

Grace Doherty

Grace (she/they) is a cartographer with a focus on disaster risk and poverty. Grace’s vocational goal is to make spatial information intuitive and accessible to all audiences. Grace works as an independent geospatial analyst for international development teams at the World Bank, where a “good map” is one that i) uses data fit for purpose and ii) tells an honest story. Grace is also a workshop organizer for government and university participants. Workshop topics include: urban planning for disaster preparedness, crash course GIS sessions, open source data collection, geography tutoring, and cartographic literacy. At this NCGE 2023, Grace is excited to be working with their M.S. alma mater, The George Washington University, to improve educators’ and students’ cartographic literacy of the Middle East and North Africa regions.

Rebekah Driscoll

Rebekah Driscoll has taught Geography for five years at the middle school level and written curriculum at various levels. Her research and master’s thesis was on the impact of thematic curriculum in 7th grade Geography and compared regional to thematic units. Her doctoral dissertation is on the impact of geoinquiry on higher-level geographical skills and geographical interest. She has written curriculum for the state department on both thematic and regional units, the South Carolina African American History Calendar, and Spartanburg District 7.

Jayson Evaniuck

Jayson Evaniuck is currently an Associate Professor of Social Studies at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Formerly, he was a high school World Geography and AP Human Geography teacher. His research interests are in curriculum history, teacher education, and the thought and work of Harry S. Broudy.  

Gail Olp Ekiss

Gale Olp Ekiss is a past Co-coordinator of the Arizona Geographic Alliance (AZGA). During her 18 years as Co-coordinator, Gale was the Project Manager for three National Geographic Society Education Foundation grant projects: GeoLiteracy, GeoMath, and GeoLiteracy for ELLs.  She has managed STEMSS institutes for K-12 teachers introducing them to concepts of integrating STEM with Social Studies. She helped secure consistent funding for her state alliance and initiated programming based on teacher needs. Gale taught for Mesa Public Schools (Mesa, Arizona) for 28 years before moving to the university level. 

Gale is a winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council for Geographic Education and the Great Moments in Teaching Social Studies Award and the Wilber Murra Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Council of Social Studies. In the past 30 years, Gale has continually showcased the application of geography education at local, state, and national social studies conferences. 

Annie Evans

Annie Evans:

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Annie Evans has spent over half her life teaching history, civics, and geography in Virginia’s K12 public schools. With New American History, she collaborates with a network of educators across the country to create learning resources to inspire the next generation of educators, public historians, and community leaders. Embracing inquiry and place-based learning, she serves as co-coordinator of the Virginia Geographic Alliance and a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow and Certified Educator.

Explore New American History’s Learning Resources, and share your feedback with Annie on Twitter.

ELIZABETH FUIAVA

Elizabeth Fuiava has 24 years of experience in educating young minds through various capacities. She has been a classroom teacher in American Samoa, Washington, and Arizona for levels K, 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. She currently teaches at Leading Edge Academy in Arizona.

Mark Francek

Mark Francek received his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin –Milwaukee and is currently professor of Geography and Faculty Fellow for the Center for Teaching Excellence at Central Michigan University.  He teaches courses in science education, soil science, and earth science and has research interests in earth science education.  In 2016, Mark was awarded the College Teacher of the Year from the Michigan Science Teachers Association.  He was also recipient of Distinguished Service Award from the National Earth Science Teachers Association and was named Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year, 2007.  Mark is a passionate believer that the best science instruction grows out of building classroom community, holding students accountable for their learning, and showing students the relevance of science to their everyday lives.

Deb Freitag

Deb Freitag is a middle-school social studies teacher in her hometown of Monticello, Wisconsin. Her passion lies in helping others become globally-minded citizens, embracing the richness that diversity brings to our world. Mrs. Freitag has participated in professional development opportunities across the United States, China and Qatar, while also traveling to various countries in Latin America and Europe. Several highlights include the immersion of living in Ecuador with her husband and two children for a summer, plus her involvement with Qatar Foundation International, working to develop and promote a deeper understanding of the Arab world. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Augustana College, her Master’s from UW-LaCrosse, and she has been a public-school educator for 23 years.

Andrea Gardner

Andrea Gardner is an Education Specialist for the National Center for Agricultural Literacy. Prior to this position she was a high school agricultural science teacher. Throughout her career, Andrea has actively participated in professional development, mentoring, and the development of curriculum. Her lesson plans have been adopted and published as state-wide curriculum in two Utah courses as well as numerous lesson plans posted on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix.

Dianna Gielstra, Ph.D

Dianna Gielstra is an Associate Faculty of the Masters of Science in Environmental Studies program at Prescott College in Arizona. Their research interests are in biogeography and geodiversity, geoheritage, and developing immersive virtual learning experiences and technologies for spatial storytelling. They are an United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellow.

Elizabeth GonzAlez

Elizabeth González is a Social Studies teacher at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX. In her 14 years of education, she has taught U.S. History, World History, AP World History Modern, AP Human Geography and will add AP African American Studies to her courses next school year. She lives in Lewisville with her husband Abel, her cat, Calabaza and her son attends the University of Texas at Arlington.

Paul Gray

Paul Gray has taught social sciences and humanities for the past 30 years and AP Human Geography since 2000 at Russellville High School in Russellville, Arkansas. Paul was named the 2008 Arkansas Teacher of the Year and was a 2008 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. He is a past president of NCGE and a co-founder of iScore5® apps.

Gary Gress

Passionate about Geography and Geography education for many years Gress has been a K-12 teacher, Alliance Coordinator, past president of NCGE, and currently teaches in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. Fascinated with global wine regions and grape types, his current research focus is how Climate Change impacts various wines and the wine industry.

Karen Guerrero

Karen Guerrero is an educator with 20 years of K-12 classroom experience, 16 years of teaching future educators at local colleges and universities, and 20 years of conducting teacher professional development. She has worked with a variety of students from inner-city children to urban adults.  Her research focus is teaching integrated geography content across all curricular areas to diverse learners. She is a National Geographic explorer with research on STEMSS (STEM + Social Studies with an emphasis of geography across the STEMSS fields) teaching and learning and continually looks for opportunities to collaborate globally.

Joel Helmer

Joel W. Helmer has taught geography for over 30 years, including stints at the junior high, high school, and collegiate level.  He currently serves as Professor of Geography and Chair of the Department of History, Geography, Intercultural Studies and Modern Languages at Concordia University, Nebraska.

 

Greg Hill

Greg Hill has enjoyed a twenty-six-year career in education.
He teaches High School AP Human Geography,World Regional Geography, and African-American Studies in Mesquite, Texas. Mr. Hill began his Social Studies teaching career as a World History teacher in Dallas Public Schools.
He is also currently a Graduate student of Geography at Marshall University focusing on Urban Geography, Latin America, and the African Diaspora.
He is the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award: K-12 from the National Council for Geographic Education. He is also the 2020 recipient of the International Educator of the Year Award from the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Ft. Worth.
At Horn High, Greg sponsors the Global Young Leaders and coaches the Current Events Team.

Susan Hume

Dr. Susan Hume is a Professor in the Department of Geography & GIS at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  She previously taught 9th grade World Geography and 12th Economics and has been an APHG Reader.  Susan served on the NCGE Board of Directors as VP for Research from 2012-2014, President in 2015, and Past President in 2016.

Injeong Jo

Injeong Jo is an Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies and the Faculty Coordinator of the Online Master of Applied Geography in Geographic Education at Texas State University. Her research focuses on geography and spatial thinking education, geospatial technologies for teaching and learning, as well as teacher education.

Lindsay Johnson

A career teacher of 18 years, Lindsay Johnson currently teaches art at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest, IL. During the delicate years of middle school, when students question their identity, ability, and potential, Johnson helps boost their creative confidence and strives to build a classroom where individuals feel seen, known, and valued in a community that intentionally explores diverse artists, artworks, and art making activities.

 

Johnson earned her BFA in Visual Communication in 2003, MA in Teaching from National Louis University in 2004, and MA in Technology in Education in 2011. She has presented at the Illinois Art Education Association Conference, the International Society for Technology in Education Conference, and volunteers on the Teacher Advisory Council for the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Outside the classroom, Johnson is a mixed media artist whose award winning works have been exhibited throughout the United States. Her interests include ceramic sculpture, public art, and traveling.

Dylan Kane

Dylan Kane is a Social Studies Instructional Specialist and Department Chair at Mead Middle School in Aldine ISD. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 2013 and earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Sam Houston State University in 2020. In addition to leading his department at the campus and district level, he also acts as Mead Middle School’s campus sponsor for National History Day. This is his ninth year working in public education..

Kenneth H Keller

Kenneth H Keller is an instructor of Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography and AP European
History at George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, GA. He has taught AP Human
Geography since its inception in 2000-2001. Ken is a past member of the AP Human Geography Test
Development Committee (2006-2010). He served as President of the National Council for Geographic
Education during the year 2019-2020. Ken is also one of the co-founders of the test prep app iScore5.

Joseph Kerski

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 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 75 chapters and articles on GIS, education, 40 podcasts, and related topics, and visits 35 universities annually. He conducts professional development for educators. He has created over 5,200 videos, 750 lessons, 1,000 blog essays, and authored 8 books, including Interpreting Our World, Spatial Thinking in Environmental Contexts, Essentials of the Environment, Spatial Mathematics, Tribal GIS, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning, and the GIS Guide to Public Domain Data.  But as a lifelong learner, he feels as though he’s just getting started and thus actively seeks mentors, partners, and collaborators.

LAURA KMETZ

Laura is a Social Studies Teacher at Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, TX. She currently teachers AP Human Geography and AP Psychology, and in the past has also taught U.S. Government and Economics. She has served as an AP reader for the College Board since 2017 and writes weekly curriculum for the National Council for Geographic Education. (B.A. English Language and Literature, University of Texas at Austin; M.Ed., Counseling, University of North Texas).

Bob Kolvoord

Dr. Bob Kolvoord is a professor in the School of Integrated Sciences at James Madison University, where he also serves as Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Technology. Kolvoord is an award-winning teacher, researcher and author. In 2011, he was recognized with the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award. With Kathryn Keranen, he is the co-founder of the Geospatial Semester and co-author of five books on the applications of GIS. Kolvoord’s research focuses on the impact of geospatial technologies on students’ spatial thinking skills.

Sophie Kreutz

As K-12 Program Manager, Sophie implements Reach the World’s program in schools around the United States, combining her passion for engaging students and educators in interactive, multidisciplinary programming with her love for global learning.  Prior to joining Reach the World, Sophie taught various subjects in unconventional classroom spaces around the globe. From South Carolina to Mexico, The Bahamas to Poland, Sophie loves to interact with diverse communities and learn from everyone she meets. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston in Marine Biology, with minors in Fine Art, Chemistry and Spanish. 

Jeannine Kuropatkin

A self-proclaimed “geofanatic” with 30+ years in education; currently teaching Pre-AP World History/Geography and Holocaust Studies at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona. I serve as campus Sponsor for Model UN, Kids Voting Leadership Council, Cultural Ambassadors, and Native American Club. Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad and overseas travel fellowships in Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and Indonesia, have allowed me to share authentic cultural experiences in the classroom. Actively involved in Social Studies Education, serving as a Board Member of the Arizona Council for the Social Studies (ACSS) and a Teacher Consultant for the Arizona Geographic Alliance (AzGA). An avid curriculum writer of Geography and History lessons published on websites such as PBS Learning Media, Arizona Geographic Alliance, University of Arizona’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Fred T Korematsu Institute, as well as the journal, “The Geography Teacher.” Currently writing curriculum for The GeoCivics Project: “Westward Expansion Through the Lens of Indigenous Communities.”

Jeffrey Lash

In 1992, Jeff Lash earned a B.A. in art history from the University of Texas at Austin. He then studied in San Francisco at Transworld Teachers and received a certificate to teach English as a Second Language and did so in San Jose, Costa Rica. In 1994, he began his graduate career at Texas State University at San Marcos. He earned a master’s degree in geography education in 1996 then took a leave of absence, moved to Morocco and taught geography at Al Akhawayn University.

Dr. Lash returned to Texas State in 1997 and completed his doctorate in Geography in 2001. His dissertation, “Exporting Education: The Case of the American University in Cairo,” earned the National Council for Geographic Education’s Dissertation of the Year award.

Currently, Dr. Lash is the Geography Program chair and an associate professor of geography at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He teaches a wide variety of courses and continues to conduct research locally and internationally on human development through education.

Michelle LeBlanc

Michelle LeBlanc
Director of Education, Leventhal Map & Education Center


Michelle LeBlanc leads all aspects of K-12 teacher training, school programs and curriculum development at the Map Center. She has over 20 years of experience in museums and classrooms, teaching history and designing programming for varied audiences. Her work at the Center focuses on the unique power of maps and mapping to help students make sense of and create new meaning about where they live. She holds an M.A. in Public History from Northeastern University and is a licensed teacher for grades 5-8 in Massachusetts.

Sandra Makielski

Sandra D. Makielski is a seventh-grade geography teacher from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Her passion for teaching lies in her desire to help students become global citizens by engaging in activities that foster empathy and empower students to take action. Ms. Makielski has participated in various international professional developments that have taken her to Asia and Africa to better prepare her to teach her students. One highlight includes her involvement with Qatar Foundation International as she works to promote a deeper understanding of Arabic speaking countries within the teaching community. Ms. Makielski speaks regularly at conferences and networks with educators on four continents. Lastly, she teaches a social studies methods class at the University of Rhode Island.

Justin McCrackin

Dr. Justin M. McCrackin teaches AP Human Geography, History through Film, and Government at Jenks High School.  He has taught at Jenks High School for 18 years.  Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at The University of Tulsa (Geography), Tulsa Community College (U.S. History), and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (Government and U.S. History).  Dr. McCrackin is the Co-Director and Curriculum Coordinator of the International Scholars Program at Jenks High School–a program developed by Kody Engle and Justin McCrackin.  He has been married to his wife, Diane, for 20 years, and they have two daughters: Ashlynn (15) and Reagan (12).

Paul McDaniel

Paul N. McDaniel is an Associate Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography and Anthropology in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State University in metro Atlanta, Georgia. He conducts research on the geography of inclusive place-branding practices, particularly in metro areas in the southeastern United States. He regularly teaches introduction to human geography, world regional geography, health geography, population geography, urban geography, geography of Europe, and geography of North America, in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, and study abroad.

Dianne McKee

Dianne McKee brings over 20 years’ experience teaching in both university and museum settings, directing federal and regional grants, developing courses and curricula, and designing and delivering both in-person and online professional development for K-12 teachers. She currently serves as the Director of GeoCivics, an American History and Civics grant funded by the US Department of Education and operating through the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. She is a Teacher Consultant for the Arizona Geographic Alliance, and a Teacher Trainer for Engineering is Elementary and Population Education. 

Nicole Means

Aside from having taught alongside each other for many years, Nicole Means and Torrence Williams comprise a diverse pair of geographers who understand the need to research and delve into difficult topics in social studies. 

Nicole has traveled extensively across six of the seven continents in the world. She brings a wealth of knowledge pertinent to both historical and contemporary geography, culture, economics, and politics to the field of education.

Torrence, also a social studies educator, has a passion for all things geography. He has traveled to many countries in Europe and many states in the US. By starting in their local community, both educators work diligently to ensure that human rights are upheld for all the world’s citizens. They are National Geographic Certified Educators who live and work in a small town in Louisiana; their goal is to enlighten their students to all the diversity that exists beyond their community and be driven to protect those whose rights are trampled upon.

Their most recent undertaking includes uncovering untold narratives that are missing because of oppression or other social, political, cultural, or economic constructs. In a continued quest to uncover a diverse array of voices and further develop this project, Torrence and Nicole continue to conduct field studies in their regional communities. Ultimately, it is their goal to inspire other educators to explore historical and contemporary representations in their local communities.

Heather Moll

Heather Moll has been the Co-Coordinator of the Arizona Geographic Alliance since 2019. After receiving a bachelors in secondary education and later a masters in geography education, Heather taught Earth and Space Science, Chemistry, and many other high school sciences for 13 years. Heather is also a PhD student in the School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning at Arizona State University.

Grayson Morgan

Grayson Morgan is a third generation geographer with interests in geography education, GIS, Remote Sensing, and the importance of geography in religious education. He graduated from Brigham Young University with his BS in Geographic science and technology, followed by his Masters and PhD from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis on UAS technology applications. He loves geography and is currently sharing its joys with students at Brigham Young University, where he works as an assistant professor of Geography.

Tracey Norrell

Tracey H Norrell, PhD is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Geography and Sustainability Department at the University of Tennessee. She currently teaches courses in World Geography, Migration, Europe (including War and Society and Russia and its Neighbors) and two courses in Geography of Human Rights. This course over the years had to be split into two courses due to its popularity – the Americas and Africa and Europe and Asia. She is also the recipient of the 2022 National Council for Geographic Education Higher Ed Distinguished Teacher Award.

Todd Remmel

Remmel serves as a Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Information Technology Specialist and is the Geographic Information Systems Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Lead for the Science and Technology Competency Outreach Program. Remmel’s team, of geospatial STEM volunteers, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina hosts geospatial-related STEM outreach activities in-person and virtually. Programs include drone capabilities, online mapping, data collection and coordinating the South Carolina state team for Esri’s ArcGIS Online Competition.
Remmel has more than two decades experience in geographic information systems (GIS), cyber forensics, web development and data analytics. He has worked in the field of GIS with state, county, federal governments, property appraiser, a Fortune 200 company, and as a private consultant. A native of Ocean City, Maryland, Remmel holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and is currently working on his Master of Arts degree in Geographic Information Systems through Penn State University. He also holds certifications as a GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner and a Geographic Information Systems
Professional. Remmel is a proponent of mentoring and continuous learning, he founded and chaired a professional data analytics user group and chaired a tri-county geographic information systems
user group in Florida for nearly 10 years. Remmel is an avid waterman and coastal conservationist, his volunteer efforts include serving many roles spanning 30+ years, including a position on the executive board for a national coastal environmental non-profit.

Celeste Reynolds

Celeste Reynolds has been teaching at Mashpee High School for twenty-one years and has been teaching Advanced Placement Human Geography for the past twelve years. Celeste serves on the TeachOSM Steering Committee, American Geographic Society Teacher Advisory Board, and is an Advanced Placement reader for College Board.

Nancy Sardone

Nancy B. Sardone received her master’s and Ph.D. from New York University. She holds a
Bachelor of Science degree from University of Massachusetts at Amherst in Resource
Economics. She is a Professor of Education, Elementary Education Program Director, and former chair of the Teacher Education department at Georgian Court University, Lakewood, New Jersey. She teaches courses in social studies methods, instructional design, and educational technology for inclusive classrooms. Topics of recently published social studies articles include “modding” board games to influence geographic literacy and using active learning to
encourage the study of peace and conflict.

Samantha Serrano

Samantha Serrano is a high school social science teacher at James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. She has a Master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Geography Education. Samantha carries professional interests in APHG, equity and access in education, creating curricular tools for teachers, and learning about ethical concerns in technology. When not teaching and running the school’s geography club, you can find her at the gym, in an airport, or at Target with her son, Matteo at the video game demo kiosk.

Greg Sherwin

Greg Sherwin has taught AP ® Human Geography from its origins in 2000-2001 at
Stevenson High School in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Recently, he recently
coauthored Human Geography for the AP ®  Course with Erin Fouberg, Alec Murphy and Paul
Gray (March 2020).  Additionally, he has teamed up other expert AP® Human Geography
teachers to create an app (iScore5) to prepare students for the exam.

Denise Stewardson

Denise Stewardson is an Extension Associate Professor and Director of the Utah Agriculture in the Classroom program at Utah State University. As a faculty member in the Applied Sciences, Technology & Education Department, she has taught a social science-based agricultural literacy course on global food production for students of all majors, and University Connections, a first-year experience course.

As an agricultural literacy specialist, Denise works with teachers statewide, regionally, and nationally to help them and their students understand the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. In addition to her work in agricultural literacy, she advocates for university students in regards to their academic success and retention—serving as a mentor for the Aggies First Scholars program and as an active member of USU’s Connections Faculty Committee. Denise also serves as adviser for the USU chapter of Days for Girls, a nonprofit organization that prepares and distributes sustainable menstrual health solutions and education throughout the world as a means to enable girls and women to stay in work and school.

Deborah Sunset

Deborah Sunset is a high school teacher from Lake Worth, FL. She has taught APHG for 15 years and been part of the AP Reading for over a decade. She currently serves on the Test Development Committee as the high school co-chair.

Lisa Tabor

Lisa Tabor is an Assistant Professor of Geography and Social Science Education at the University of Northern Iowa. She teaches both geography and secondary social studies education classes, and she loves it. Lisa mainly does research in geography education, emphasizing professional skills and teaching climate change but is always open to a good opportunity outside of her specialty. When not teaching or reading and writing the literature, she is daydreaming, doing yoga, or playing with her beloved dogs.

Kyle Tredinnick

Kyle Tredinnick has been active in teaching geography since graduating from St. Cloud State University with a degree in social studies education. He has taught geography at a number of public and private high schools in China, Minnesota, and now Nebraska. Along with teaching for Omaha Public Schools, Kyle also serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Nebraska Omaha in the Department of Geography & Geology and is working to complete a PhD in Geography at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Outside of teaching Kyle has been active as a board member for the National Council of Geographic Education, Vice-Chair of the Geography Educators of Nebraska (GEON), and part of the leadership committee for the 2019 Nebraska Social Studies Standards Revision. Kyle has been selected as a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, Goethe Institute Transatlantic Outreach Program Fellow, Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms, and has received national and state recognition for his efforts for geographic education. Outside of work Kyle enjoys spending time with his wife Jill and staying active playing hockey and traveling.

Jamie Vigil

Jamie Vigil has been a Social Science and Leadership teacher at Silver Creek High School in Longmont Colorado for seventeen years. As a lifelong learner, she guides students as they become more geographically aware, and encourages them to find their passion projects. After earning a Master’s in Education focusing on curriculum, instruction, and assessment from Regis University she continues to discover new innovative practices. Jamie believes in leveraging cognitive science to boost long-term learning.  As well as incorporating blended learning for greater access to instruction and student-centered education. She is a devoted mother of two boys who enjoy life in Colorado with her husband and their dogs. Jamie is always eager to add new journeys and knowledge to her collection of experiences.

Jamie Worms

Jamie Worms has been the Director of the AP Human Geography course and exam at the College Board since fall 2022. Prior to working at the College Board, I taught Human Geography at Auburn University, Smith College, and Georgia State University since graduating with my Ph.D. in Geography & Anthropology from Louisiana State University in 2015. I love everything that has to do with geography, maps, good food, and travel.