OXFORD, Miss. – Ellen J. Foster, associate professor of social studies education at the University of Mississippi, is the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Teaching Award in Higher Education from the National Council of Geographic Education (NCGE).
NCGE is a national nonprofit that enhances the quality of geography education from kindergarten through higher education. Each year, the Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes educators for excellence in geography instruction.
Foster was nominated for the honor by colleagues in the Mississippi Geographic Alliance and will receive the award at a ceremony in Austin, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 22.
“It’s an honor that the Mississippi Geographic Alliance nominated me for the award,” said Foster. “I’m really grateful for that nomination.”
As an associate professor, Foster teaches UM undergraduates and graduate students in the Department of Teacher Education. However, before joining academia, Foster taught high school social studies in San Antonio for nine years.
“My favorite thing about being an educator are the ‘light bulb’ moments,” explained Foster, a San Antonio native. “Whether the students are 12 or 20, my favorite part is when students finally make the connections and understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
For the past two years, Foster’s research has focused on comparing how geography teachers in Iceland and the United States use professional development and teacher preparation to enhance professional practice. She is also collecting data to compare teaching practices in Mississippi and Iceland because they both serve diverse array of at-risk and rural students. Foster was awarded a sabbatical in 2019 to conduct much of this research.
“It is an honor for Dr. Foster to have her research, teaching and service recognized at a national level,” said Susan McClelland, UM chair of teacher education. “The NCGE recognizes higher education faculty who demonstrate expertise in geography education, research and teaching, and Dr. Foster has distinguished herself nationally in this field.”
Foster is the only higher education professional in Mississippi to receive the award this year. She holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity University in San Antonio, and a Ph.D. in geography-geographic education from Texas State University in San Marcos.
By Meaghan Flores
