National Geographic is excited to announce the official launch of its brand new Geo-Education Initiative as well as the initiative’s flagship program, the Geo-Educator Community. Both were presented this past weekend at the National Board for Teaching Standard’s inaugural Teaching and Learning Conference in Washington, DC.
National Geographic defines a geo-educator as an educator working to improve young people’s understanding of the world. Geo-educators can come from any background and participate in any educational setting, as long as they have a passion for teaching their students about the world. National Geographic wants to recognize and support the efforts of these individuals.
The Geo-Educator Community provides a space for geo-educators to share resources, collaborate on projects, learn from each other and give support. Geo-educators can join the community through a variety of online platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and the secure educator site, Edmodo. The community has been live for over three months and already hosts vibrant discussion ranging from how geo-educators are getting students outside, getting students involved in community service projects and connecting students to classrooms around the world. Geo-educators are also engaged in serious discussion on how to successfully implement geo-education across the country and around the world.
To learn more about the Geo-Educator Community and join the conversation, visit geo-education.org or watch the video below.
National Geographic’s Geo-Education Initiative aims to improve education about our world. It is based around a firm belief that in order to function in today’s interconnected world, every member of society must have a fundamental understanding of how our world works. The term “geo-education” describes the entire set of in-school and out-of-school experiences that teach young people about our interconnected world. National Geographic believes a well-rounded geo-education is vital to prepared current and future generations to live peacefully and sustainably in a modern world.
To learn more about the Geo-Education Initiative, visit geo-education.org.
National Geographic staff were excited to share this news with conference-goers over the weekend, and participants were equally excited to learn about geo-education and the community. Hundreds of educators proclaimed themselves geo-educators by signing the colorful “I’m a Geo-Educator” board. Others proclaimed themselves #geoeducators out to their social networks, citing reasons such as teaching their students foreign languages, teaching about other cultures through literature or connecting students to the outdoors during physical education.
National Geographic believes all educators are capable of empowering the next generation of decision-makers, and we invite any and all geo-educators to join in this exciting initiative to prepare students for the 21st century. Together, we can transform how young people learn about their world.
By Rebecca Bice, National Geographic’s Center for Geo-Education