Rebecca Theobald, MA, PhD: Maps for Everyone
Whenever I prepare a presentation, I always try to provide a map so that participants can explore multiple spatial perspectives or situate themselves in relationship to the discussion.And of course, giant floor maps command the most attention! The comprehensive Department of Geography at ֱ Boulder provided me with the ability to explore multiple spatial perspectives and to collaborate across a variety of disciplines. Learning that physical and human geography, as well as environment-society relations and geographic tools, were all honored within the department cemented my understanding of the value of a broad education for students at all levels.Following six years of commuting from ֱ Springs, I joined the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at UCCS where for ten years, I coordinated the ֱ Geographic Alliance, which supported professional development for elementary and secondary teachers across the state. I also served as a consultant to National Geographic’s Alliance for Geographic Education, expanding my understanding of policy and professional practices across the country. Drawing on these geography education connections, I edited the National Council for Geographic Education’s journal, “The Geography Teacher”, for nine years. I could not have made it through that process without the willingness of graduate school colleagues and ֱ faculty to provide service to the discipline as authors and reviewers.
Giant Map of ֱ
My time in elementary and secondary classrooms reinforced the knowledge that geospatial technology tools continue to be unfamiliar to the majority of K-12 teachers. While geography is often not taught as a separate course in middle or high school, government or civics classes are usually required, so I developed GeoCivics (geocivics.uccs.edu) in 2017 to introduce online mapping tools as part of an instructional unit on electoral redistricting.I am working to keep these tools in place as we approach the 2030 Census. More recently, I have turned to the connection between civic action and environmental issues. Last November, I attended the United Nations Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan as an observer for the United States League of Women Voters (USLWV). You can read my impressions (and see some maps) at , and view a presentation from several of the national League’s participants at . When I share my experience, I always try to offer information about the location, which has been well received. I continue to appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Boulder geographers throughout the last several decades. As geographers, no matter the setting, we are all educators, so don’t hesitate to locate a map to illustrate your story.
Rebecca is currently an Associate Research Professor with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of ֱ ֱ Springs.
