The American Geographical Society (AGS) has named Verona High School’s Melissa Wallerstein as a 2016 AGS Geography Teacher Fellow. Wallerstein is one of 50 teachers selected from across the United States to participate in this first year of the program. The AGS Geography Teacher Program has been made possible by a generous gift to AGS by the Boundless Corporation.
Wallerstein teaches AP Human Geography at VHS. As part of the award for being selected as a Teacher Fellow, she will attend the AGS Fall Symposium on November 17 and 18 at Columbia University. The symposium will enable the Teacher Fellows to gain valuable cutting edge content knowledge and awareness of the real-world geographic workplace skills demanded by today’s geospatial companies. The Teacher Fellows will have a unique opportunity to interact with, and become one of, the nation’s thought leaders who are involved in the multi-year dialog about the future of geography.
“We are very pleased to be able to have Melissa among 50 of the best teachers in the country join us in New York City in November,” said Dr. John Konarski, CEO of the American Geographical Society. “Geography and geospatial science have an effect on just about every aspect of our daily lives. The collective experience and expertise of these Geography Teacher Fellows will help guide the Society as we lead the discussion about the future of geography. In addition, the teachers will be able to bring back to their classrooms, practical and cutting edge information about the latest advancements in the geospatial world. We are so privileged to have these amazing teachers leading the future of geography with us,” added Dr. Konarski.
The AGS Fall Symposium is one of the most important and recognized geography/geospatial events in North America during the Fall Semester. Attendees include CEOs and senior executives from preeminent geospatial companies along with leading experts and representatives from government, not-for-profits, and academia.
Established in 1851, the American Geographical Society (AGS) is the oldest professional geographical/geospatial organization in the United States. It is recognized world-wide as a pioneer in geographical research and education in geography for over 165 years. AGS is a 21st century learning society dedicated to the advancement of geographic thinking, understanding, and knowledge across business, government, academe, the social sector, and education. The goal of AGS is to enhance the nation’s geographic literacy so as to engender sound public policy, national security, and human well-being worldwide. AGS is the only organization focused on bringing together academics, business people, those who influence public policy (including leaders in local, state and federal government, not-for-profit organizations and the media), and the general public for the express purpose of furthering the understanding of the role of geography in our lives. AGS provides leadership to frame the national discussion of the growing importance of geography and geo-spatial tools. The Society maintains its headquarters in New York City.
