Our Mission

Our mission is to help foster a geographically competent citizenry in Oklahoma and our nation.

All students at every grade level need to think geographically. OKAGE believes that geographic knowledge is a powerful tool for understanding the complex nature of our world and everything in it. Our vision is for geography education in Oklahoma to be valued as an equally important part of the curriculum. Geography must become a requirement for high school graduation in Oklahoma.

About US — Click on a header below to read more

History

The Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education (OKAGE), headquartered at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, is a professional organization for all educators in Oklahoma. OKAGE provides a year-round schedule of professional development events and academies for in-service and pre-service teachers, curriculum coordinators, and informal educators of all grade levels and backgrounds. These include workshops, summer institutes, and field studies that provide curriculum, materials, and experiential learning opportunities.

OKAGE is also affiliated with other national and state geographic and social studies organizations. See the Helpful Links page to view related professional organizations.

Purpose

To enhance, promote and encourage pre-K - 16 geography instruction in the state
To meet the professional needs of geography educators through various programs and activities
To develop and maintain a communications network among geography educators and others interested in geography
To provide leadership in and support for the national network of geographic alliances and other professional organizations

Teacher Consultants

OKAGE-trained Teacher Consultants present at state, regional, and national conferences. These educators continually research and develop curriculum materials that incorporate state and national curriculum standards. Check out some of their great classroom materials on the Resources page of this website.

In addition, our TCs are available to train in local school districts for in-service days, one-on-one classroom consultation, small groups and district-wide meetings. They also advocate for geography education and visit state officials to raise awareness about OKAGE programming and its value to developing well-informed citizens, quality curriculum resources, and enhancing the expertise of Oklahoma's classroom teachers. Interested in learning more about becoming a Teacher Consultant? Contact us at okage@ou.edu for more information!

OKAGE Staff

J. Scott Greene, Ph.D.
Chair, Professor, OKAGE Coordinator
Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability,
University of Oklahoma
100 E. Boyd St., SEC 510 Norman, OK 73019
Office: (405) 325-4319
jgreene@ou.edu

Becca Palczynsky
Executive Director
100 E. Boyd St., SEC 684 Norman, OK 73019
Office: (405) 325-5832
okage@ou.edu

Board of Directors

OKAGE Executive Officers

Steve Stadler, Ph.D.
OKAGE Board President
Retired Professor, Department of Geography
Oklahoma State University
steve.stadler@okstate.edu

Teresa Potter
OKAGE Board Vice President
Instructional Coach
Putnam City Public Schools
tpotter@putnamcityschools.org

Brad Bays
OKAGE Board Treasurer
Associate Professor
Oklahoma State University
bbays@okstate.edu

OKAGE Directors

Beth Allan, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Central Oklahoma
eallan@uco.edu

Brenda Beymer-Chapman, J.D.
Project Manager of Social Studies and Personal Financial Literacy
Oklahoma State Department of Education
brenda.chapman@sde.ok.gov

R. Eugene Earsom
Retired OKAGE Director
earsom@hotmail.com

Gary Gress, Ph.D.
Lecturer
University of Oklahoma
ggress@ou.edu

Jenna Messick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Central Oklahoma
jmessick1@uco.edu

Shanedra Nowell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Oklahoma State University
shanedra.nowell@okstate.edu

Liz Rogers
PreK-12 Social Studies Content Specialist
Edmond Public Schools
elizabeth.rogers@edmondschools.net

Jacob Rosecrants
Representative
Oklahoma House of Representatives
jacob.rosecrants@okhouse.gov

Cody Sivertsen
Professional Development Coordinator
Oklahoma City Public Schools
scsivertsen@okcps.org

Jeff Widener, Ph.D.
Senior IT Business Analyst - GIS
Williams
jeffmwidener@gmail.com

diversity, equity, and inclusion

The Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to promoting equal educational opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socio-economic status. We celebrate the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities of all learners, and aim to develop an inclusive environment that values and respects everyone. As part of our core philosophy and through our professional development and educational programming, we are devoted to actively promoting cultural competency and inclusivity and to facilitating a safe and inclusive space where every learner feels valued, heard, and supported.

Request on-site professional development

Previous Events and Outreach Programs

Throughout the Spring 2021 semester, OKAGE conducted a series of four Geo-Inquiry projects with schools in each region of the state - Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest. The research topics include wildfire risk and forest health, environmental conservation, post-COVID-19 impacts on land and wildlife in state parks due to changes in visitation, and long-term impacts upon demographic patterns in Northeast Oklahoma following the Tulsa Race Massacre.

In the 2022-23 school year, OKAGE partnered with Asher Public School to assess the impact of light pollution on pollinators and to establish a dark sky-friendly pollinator garden at the school. Additionally, OKAGE worked with students at Mustang Middle School to evaluate the impacts of refugee populations on their community. Students in Putnam City and Anadarko completed field experiences with OKAGE and created public awareness campaigns centered around conservation of Oklahoma’s wildlife and public lands. Below please find some of the photos taken from the field components of these projects.

OKAGE is currently offering full financial and logistical support for educators in Oklahoma looking to conduct Geo-Inquiry projects with their upper elementary, middle school, or high school classes as part of the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge. If you would like to request more information on bringing the Geo-Inquiry process and Slingshot Challenge into your classroom, contact us at okage@ou.edu. All supporting Geo-Inquiry resources and lesson plans are available in our lesson plan library here.

OKAGE previously hosted the Geography Awareness Week Postcard Contest for all K-12 students in Oklahoma each year during Geography Awareness Week in November.

Below are the winners of the 2020 Geography Awareness Week Contest. The theme was World Geography in 2020.