The Virginia Geographic Alliance promotes geo-literacy by providing effective professional development programs that enhance the teaching and learning of geography and that demonstrate the value of geographic knowledge and spatial thinking to educators, policy makers, and community members.
The Virginia Geographic Alliance fosters and supports the enduring power of the geographic perspective in social, environmental and geospatial sciences as they develop in schools, universities, businesses, governments and communications media to advance geo-literacy. Acquiring geographic knowledge, skills and technologies enables people to become productive citizens and lifelong learners who
►recognize the importance of place and local-to-global connections,
►understand changing human-environment interactions, and
►apply environmental and spatial perspectives in decision-making and problem-solving.
Professional Learning
Resources
About
Upcoming Events
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Geospatial Educator Certification (GeoEdC)
The Geospatial Educator Certification (GeoEdC) program, offered by the Geospatial Technology Consortium of Community Colleges (GTC3), is currently accepting applications for its next cohort: https://arcg.is/1X1qTK [arcg.is]! The program is designed for middle school, high school, community college, and university educators who teach or plan to teach geospatial technologies (GST) with intermediate or higher levels of GST experience. GeoEdC supports educators seeking to strengthen their pedagogical skill set and provides formal documentation certifying the technical skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality, workforce-aligned geospatial instruction.
Accepted applicants (limited to no more than 30 participants) will complete the 4-week, virtual (asynchronous) GeoEdC program starting on July 6 and ending on August 2, 2026.
Check out more details here: https://geoedc-kctcs.hub.arcgis.com/ -

2026 Balkan Field Experience
2026 Balkan Field Experience
OVERVIEW: K–12 teachers, higher education faculty, and informal educators are invited to join the 2026 Balkan Field Experience, an immersive program exploring the region’s geography, history, and culture. The program runs from June 20 to July 1, 2026 (including travel days). The Balkans offers an opportunity to learn through guided exploration a unique world region, often unknown or unexplored by many in the U.S. The regional insights provide a global experience that may be viewed through a variety of interdisciplinary and cross-curricula lenses. As region is rather unexplored by many U.S. educators, this experience offers a unique opportunity to engage with key themes include geopolitics, nationalism, and identity; food and culture; natural resource use; religious and cultural diversity; urban development and post-socialist transitions; and war, memory, and post-conflict reconstruction. Designed for educators of geography, world history, religious studies, international relations, peace and conflict studies, and human rights and law, the program features expert briefings, guided walking tours, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Participants will engage with local experts, educators, and community leaders, gaining diverse perspectives that enhance global competence and enrich classroom teaching. This program also fosters lasting professional connections among U.S. educators. Eighty professional development points will be awarded to individuals who complete program requirements.
PARTNERS: The 2026 Balkan Field Experience builds upon a partnership with A.C.E. Adventure , Virginia Geographic Alliance, Maryland Geographic Alliance, and Balkan researchers.
Apply today: tinyurl.com/Balkans2026
COST. $3,600 (USD). June 20 to July 1, 2026. Additional fees apply for single room supplement. The final cost may be reduced based on the total number of participants.
More Information. More information including a detailed schedule may be accessed by visiting this website.
TIMELINE: The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2025. Applicants will be notified by approximately December 1, 2025. A non-refundable payment of $1,000 will be due January 5, 2026 and remaining funds will be required by February 1 and March 1, respectively.
QUESTIONS: Email Dr. Michael Allen (mallen@towson.edu) or Maggie Creech (mcreech@virginiahistory.org) with any questions. Dr. Allen lived in Novi Sad, Serbia in 2023 as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Description goes here
Features
two-page view
40 full-page maps
over 40 narrative pages of nonfiction text
text features to support literacy skills
51 mini maps as graphics
tables, charts, and diagrams
links to 65 interactive online maps and apps
geography, history, science, English/language arts, and math content
teacher guide with instructional ideas