About the Alliance | Vision Statement | Join MGA | Contact Us
What Is the Alliance's Mission?
What Do We Believe?
About the Michigan Geographic Alliance
The Michigan Geographic Alliance, referred to as MGA, is a network of teachers and geographers who are committed to using geographic content and skills to improve the educational experiences of Michigan K-12 students.
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Vision Statement
Welcome to the Michigan Geographic Alliance (MGA) with its central office located at Central Michigan University. The MGA is a network of teachers and geographers who have a firm belief and commitment to using geography content and skills to both enhance and improve the education of Michigan students. To that end, the MGA provides high-quality, low-cost, professional development and further education workshops and programs for teachers. The MGA is actively involved in assisting school districts and individual teachers attain the levels of student proficiency presented in the Michigan Curriculum Framework for Social Studies Content Standards, Grade Level Content Expectations, and local and state assessments in geographic knowledge and skills.
The MGA is one of the largest and most active geographic alliances in the United States. In a typical year, the Alliance sponsors approximately 100 professional development workshops, 60 Family Geography Challenge workshops, and several one- to two-week summer institutes in which teachers hone their knowledge and skills in teaching geography.
The Alliance receives financial support and geographic expertise from a variety of sources including the National Geographic Society Education Foundation, the Michigan Department of Education, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University.
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What Is the Alliance's Mission?
The MGA mission is to provide high-quality, low-cost, professional development and further education workshops and products for teachers.
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What Do We Believe?
First, MGA teacher consultants believe that geographic knowledge and skills are critical for living in an economically and ecologically interconnected world and contribute significantly to the development of students as responsible citizens.
Second, education is improved when teachers are provided with practical content-based instructional materials and learning activities that focus on enhancing student achievement.
Third, in professional development workshops, teachers are generally the best resource people to work with other teachers.
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Join the Michigan Geographic Alliance
The Michigan Geographic Alliance has a cadre of trained teacher consultants. If you are already an MGA teacher consultant, indicate this on your registration form. We welcome all local educators interested in geography education. If you are not already an MGA teacher consultant, select "Interested Educator" on the registration form. Join us by selecting the "Join Now" link above.
Teacher Consultant: A teacher who has successfully completed a Michigan Geographic Alliance Basic Institute, has become proficient in presenting professional development workshops using the MGA model, and has successfully completed a minimum of two MGA professional development, in-service workshops or presentations during the school year following the Basic Institute. The Michigan Geographic Alliance supports Teacher Consultants to provide in-service workshops throughout the state on a regular basis.
Interested Educator: Teachers, administrators, and other persons and organizations that are interested in improving, supporting, and promoting geography education. Most of our members receive our semiannual MGA Newsletter, and many have attended one or more Alliance professional development workshops. Any person may contact us to request the semiannual MGA Newsletter.
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Contact Us
Michigan Geographic Alliance
291 Dow Science Building
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Voice: +1 989 774 3723
Fax: +1 989 774 2907
E-mail: Judge1ta@cmich.edu
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