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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Â鶹´«Ã½ alumnus Kevin Barry, B.A.'06,  is the recipient of the 2024 James B. Binko Award for Outstanding Geography Educator-of-the-Year. Established by the , this prestigious award honors teachers who have significantly advanced geography education in Maryland and inspired Â鶹´«Ã½s to develop a deep appreciation for the world around them.

According to the Maryland Geographic Alliance, Barry's innovative teaching methods made him a standout choice for the award. Integrating geographic information system technology into his curriculum, Â鶹´«Ã½s in his class have received enhanced and engaging geographic learning. Additionally, through collaborations with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency, his Â鶹´«Ã½s participate in a Zombie Outbreak/Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Simulation to demonstrate real-world applications of geography.

Barry's commitment to geography education also goes beyond the classroom. Since 2019, he has served as a mentor for Â鶹´«Ã½s competing in the annual "Mapping Maryland" ArcGis Student Map Competition. Through this competition, Â鶹´«Ã½s investigate an issue or a problem or a story focused within the state and create a map-centered research project. His school has become the leading producer of Â鶹´«Ã½ winners in the competition with one receiving national accolades for her research, "Lead Exposure in Baltimore".

Â鶹´«Ã½ the James B. Binko Award

Named for James B. Binko, a lifelong advocate for geography education, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field. Binko’s career spanned more than five decades, including roles as a Maryland public school teacher, education professor and dean at Towson University, and consultant for the National Geographic Society.

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