Turley wins national award for guiding Links in geography classes

November 5, 2025

Chris Turley’s ability to link human geography concepts together for Lincoln High students has been noticed on a national scale by social studies professionals.
 
The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) announced this fall that Turley had earned the organization’s K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. The prize, which honors excellence in geography education at the primary and secondary levels, is one of the nation’s most prestigious honors. Turley is the first Nebraska teacher to win the award, which has been given to only 12 people in the United States prior to this year.

 
NCGE President-Elect Celeste Reynolds said Turley is shaping the future of geography education with his work at Lincoln Public Schools. She presented the award to him during the NCGE’s annual conference Oct. 17 in Omaha.
 
“Geography’s vitality depends on two things: a commitment to conveying the lessons that places and regions teach us, and a strong community of advocates who advance this endangered subject through classrooms, communities, school districts, social media and the halls of state capitols,” Reynolds said. “Chris exemplifies the very best of these ideals.”
 
LPS K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Jaci Kellison was one of three people who provided letters of support for Turley’s award. Harris Payne, chair of the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON) organization, nominated him for the national honor. Kellison and LHS Social Studies Department Chair Laurel Maslowski both advocated for his selection.
 
Kellison said she is proud of Turley for his willingness to go above and beyond in the classroom. He joined Lincoln High’s social studies department in 2014 and has led world geography, human geography, psychology, civics and United States history classes on campus. He currently teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography and Government and Politics courses.
 
“Chris is an exceptional teacher and professional,” Kellison said. “His commitment to professional growth and leadership in geographic education is evident in all his actions, which makes him an ideal candidate for a prestigious award such as this one.”

 
Turley spends the majority of his day teaching AP Human Geography classes to ninth graders. He said leading AP Human Geography courses has acted as a second spark for his love of teaching. He said it means the world to him to help students figure out how global communities interact with each other.
 
“I love how the course really helps students understand the world around them, such as how connected the world is and how places and people are similar and different,” Turley said. “There is not a day in the class that the content we talk about does not impact students’ lives in some way. Helping students make that connection and helping them understand the world they are a part of is very rewarding.”
 
Turley said one of his top goals is to instill a deep curiosity about human activities on many continents. That includes understanding how people communicate with each other, what various cultures around the globe are like and how different cultures are similar to students’ own cultures. He felt that awareness would help them become lifelong learners in every subject.
 
“We learn so much in class, but it is only a fraction of what students can learn about the world, and I want them to keep adding to their own knowledge,” Turley said. “I hope students gain academic skills by improving their writing and reading skills. I also hope students learn helpful studying strategies that work for them, and perseverance to continue to improve their knowledge and academic abilities.”

 
Kellison said many LPS students, teachers and co-workers notice and appreciate Turley’s passion for people. Turley has worked on several leadership teams that have revised and updated the school district’s geography curriculum for thousands of students. He and other teachers have created new curriculum materials such as inquiry lessons, stimulus-based multiple choice questions and free response questions, and he has served as a mentor teacher for many incoming LPS geography educators.
 
“Chris is an exceptional social studies teacher because he has an incredible work ethic, is thoughtful and contributes positively to a team,” Kellison said. “He also cares deeply about his students, which is evident the minute you step into his classroom. He holds students to high expectations and provides them with the support they need to be successful. Chris truly believes that every student is capable of performing at a high level, and students feel that belief he has in them.”

 
A prime example of Turley’s dedication came when a group of teachers organized a new sequencing of AP social studies courses at LPS. Kellison said the work was both important and challenging since it was the first time an AP class was offered to ninth-grade students.
 
“Chris was instrumental in helping to prepare for the transition,” Kellison said. “His ability to think ahead, ask thoughtful questions and find positive solutions made him an invaluable part of the team, and his belief that all students deserve access to high-quality geography education was clear throughout the process.”
 
Reynolds said she was happy to celebrate Turley’s achievements at the national convention. She said his ability to connect students with geographic concepts would influence people for many years to come.
 
“I am grateful for the opportunity to present this award and confident that Chris’ work will continue to inspire colleagues and students alike to pursue leadership and innovation in geography education,” Reynolds said.
 
Lincoln Public Schools students are learning important social studies concepts from teachers like Chris Turley every day in their classes. Visit our website at home.lps.org/socialstudies to learn more about the social studies curriculum at LPS. 
 
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