Picture this: A passionate educator standing before a classroom of college students, using interactive maps and real-world case studies to explain how climate change affects global migration patterns.
Think about someone who combines deep academic knowledge with research expertise to help students understand the complex relationships between human societies and their physical environments. These educators don’t just teach geography; they help students understand how spatial relationships shape our world.
They serve as both educators and researchers, contributing to academic knowledge while preparing the next generation of geographers, urban planners, and environmental scientists.
Total employment: 4,300 (2023)
Common Names for Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Geography Instructor
- Geography Professor
- Human Geography Instructor
- Human Geography Professor
- Instructor
- Lecturer
- Physical Geography Professor
- Professor
What Geography Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Primary responsibilities for Geography Teachers, Postsecondary include:
- Delivering Lectures, Seminars, and Labs: Design and deliver lectures, seminars, and hands-on lab sessions to help students grasp core concepts and skills in geography.
- Designing Course Syllabi and Learning Objectives: They develop detailed course syllabi that outline topics, readings, assignments, and deadlines.
- Evaluating and Grading Student Work: Grading exams, essays, lab reports, and other assignments is a key responsibility. Teachers provide constructive feedback to help students improve academically.
- Conducting Original Research: Geography teachers actively research specialized topics such as urban development, environmental changes, or GIS technology. This work often contributes to advancements in their field.
- Publishing in Academic Journals and Books: They write and publish findings in academic journals and books, establishing themselves as experts and contributing to the body of knowledge in geography.
- Advising Students on Academic and Career Paths: Teachers mentor students by guiding them through academic decisions, internship opportunities, and career planning, helping them achieve their professional goals.
- Participating in Departmental Committees: Involvement in departmental and institutional committees is common. Teachers contribute to decision-making processes related to curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and campus initiatives.
- Writing Grant Proposals: They often write grant proposals to secure funding for research projects. This requires strong writing skills and the ability to align their research goals with funding agency priorities.
- Supervising Graduate Student Research: Supervising graduate students includes mentoring them through thesis writing, research design, and publication processes, fostering their academic growth.
- Holding Office Hours for Student Consultation: Maintaining regular office hours allows teachers to provide additional academic support, answer questions, and build rapport with students outside of class.
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