Chris Turley, a teacher at Lincoln High School in Nebraska, has received the National Council for Geographic Education’s (NCGE) K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. The national award, announced in fall 2025, recognizes Turley’s work in geography education at the primary and secondary levels. Turley is the first teacher from Nebraska to receive this award, which has been given to 12 other educators in the United States before this year.
NCGE President-Elect Celeste Reynolds presented the award to Turley at the organization’s annual conference on October 17, 2025, in Omaha. Reynolds noted Turley’s efforts to promote geography education and his example for others in the field. She spoke about the role of educators in keeping geography relevant in schools and communities.
Turley’s nomination was supported by colleagues and education leaders. Harris Payne, chair of the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON), nominated him. Jaci Kellison, the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), and Laurel Maslowski, Lincoln High’s Social Studies Department Chair, also supported his selection. Kellison cited Turley’s professionalism, leadership, and commitment to student learning…