Chris Turley: National Council for Geographic Education K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award
Background
Chris Turley, Lincoln High School social studies teacher, received the National Council for Geographic Education K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. The award honors excellence in geography education at the primary and secondary levels, and is one of the nation’s most prestigious honors. Chris 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.
Explanation
The National Council for Geographic Education honored Lincoln High School social studies teacher Chris Turley with the K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. Chris joined Lincoln High School’s social studies department in 2014, and currently teaches Advanced Placement Human Geography and Government and Politics courses.
He collaborated with other teachers on several leadership teams to revise and update the school district’s geography curriculum, and create new curriculum materials such as inquiry lessons, stimulus-based multiple choice questions and free response questions.
Chris has also served as a mentor teacher for many incoming LPS geography educators.
LPS K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Jaci Kellison states:
“Chris is an exceptional social studies teacher because he has an incredible work ethic, is thoughtful and contributes positively to a team. 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.”
Proposal
That the Lincoln Board of Education adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Chris Turley, social studies teacher at Lincoln High School has been awarded the K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award by the National Council for Geographic Education; and
WHEREAS, Chris Turley is an exceptional professional who cares deeply about his students, holding them to high expectations and providing the support necessary to ensure their success in his Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography and other courses; and
WHEREAS, Chris Turley demonstrates exceptional leadership in geographic education by actively shaping the future of the subject, serving as an instrumental member of curriculum leadership teams that revised and updated the geography curriculum for thousands of students across Lincoln Public Schools, and mentoring new educators; and
WHEREAS, Chris Turley is widely admired and respected among his peers both within Lincoln Public Schools, the State of Nebraska, and across the United States;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lincoln Board of Education does hereby congratulate Chris Turley for being honored by the National Council for Geographic Education with the K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award.
Updated January 27, 2026
