Presenters
Tiya Shaw, a distinguished educator, stands out as the production manager of VA GeoExplorers, where she plays a crucial role in developing and managing captivating digital content for the Virginia Geographic Alliance. Her innovative contributions have garnered recognition, earning her the title of a 2023 K-12 Humanities Fellow, highlighting her commitment to advancing humanities education. In her new role as the K-12 History and Social Sciences Specialist for Spotsylvania County Public Schools, Tiya brings her wealth of experience to collaborate with division teachers, crafting engaging and standards-aligned lessons that foster exploration and critical thinking. Beyond her classroom endeavors, Tiya is the creative force behind GeoLit Labs, showcasing her dedication to innovative teaching methods. Furthermore, she sits on the board of the Shenandoah Valley Writing Project, serving as a teacher consultant and contributing her expertise to fellow educators. Tiya's multifaceted roles underscore her profound impact on education, from digital content creation and humanities advocacy to history and social sciences curriculum development.
Lillian Brown is a veteran Social Studies Specialist from the Tidewater Region. She is one of the ten specialists selected by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to develop and establish the Carter G. Woodson initiative. Ms. Brown is a curriculum writer for New American History and the data driven and proven Virginia Geographic Alliance (VGA) Floor map “feet on" learning experiences. The VGA’s map activities address seven (7) Virginia Studies Standards of Learning, embeds instant formative Assessments, and Social Emotional Learning components while catering to varied learning styles. Ms. Brown designs learning experiences that excite and incite memorable, lifelong learning in students.
Annie Evans is the Director of Education and Outreach for New American History at the University of Richmond. Annie is a National Geographic Society Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, a NatGeo Certified Educator and Trainer, and Co-Coordinator of the Virginia Geographic Alliance. With over 30 years of classroom and educational leadership experience, she designs curriculum and facilitates professional learning for K-16 teachers and museum educators, focusing on Historical Thinking Skills, GeoLiteracy, Instructional Coaching, Project-Based Learning, and Performance Assessments. New American History is led by Dr. Ed Ayers with generous support from the University of Richmond.