To suggest that this back-to-school season is like no other is an understatement. Most of us did not imagine that we would set up our classrooms online, and welcome new students directly from our home office or kitchen table. Yet here we are: Back-to-School 2020. A new decade, a new school year, and a whole new way of facilitating education. I have written over the past few months of how NCSS has transitioned its own work fully online in recent months. Like many of you, our team’s daily work is conducted almost exclusively via Zoom meetings, text chats, and laptop computers. A few of us come…

1. How long have you been a social studies educator? What inspired you to become one? This year will be my 21st (and a half!) year fulltime. My high school social studies teacher had a huge impact on my love of history and social studies. I also came from a family that enjoyed history. 2. How is your school approaching classes this year? How are you preparing to teach this year? As of right now, classes will be online using Google Classroom. I continue to attend professional workshops online to hear the latest that is out there. I am also big into props…

National Council for the Social Studies' (NCSS) professional development newsletter, Professional Development Monthly (PD Monthly), provides an opportunity for NCSS members to showcase their career achievements or advancements in a special section called "The Dean's List." NCSS encourages all members to submit an announcement to The Dean's List.   Dean's List Submission Guidelines Submissions must come from current NCSS Members. Submissions must relate to a recent (within the last three months) career achievement or advancement. Career achievements must pertain to the successful…

Wednesday, October 21:  7pm or 9pm --Two sessions each time Thursday, October 22:  7pm or 9pm --Two sessions each time Saturday, October 24: 8am --Two sessions & 10 am Keynote & Awards

Join a panel of district social studies leaders from urban and suburban school districts to explore how they are meeting the need for elementary social studies instruction across their schools. With special guests Heather Van Benthuysen (Director of Social Science and Civic Engagement at Chicago Public Schools) and Tina Ellsworth (K-12 Social Studies Coordinator, Olathe Public Schools; NCSS Board of Directors). note: all times Eastern Time

Culturally responsive teaching develops students' personal agency and grounds learning in the rich context of students' lived experiences. When this happens, learning deepens and outcomes improve. How does inquiry set the stage for culturally responsive teaching?  And what strategies and tools used in inquiry promote culturally responsive teaching practice?  All times Eastern Time Panelists /*-->*/ Shanti Elangovan Founder and CEO of inquirED

Inquiry-based social studies empowers students to participate in the civic life of their local, state, and national communities. With inquirED, we will examine the following: How can a contentious election year provide an opportunity to explore civic participation? What are the challenges educators face in polarized environments?   Panelist Dr. Paula McAvoy Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education NC State University   note: all times Eastern Time

The beginning of the 2020 school year will be unlike any other.  Now more than ever schools and districts must take into account the social and emotional needs of students and teachers. How will they respond to being back in school under restrictive protocols?  How can teachers build community if they must begin the year virtually?  What role can social studies instruction play in meeting the SEL needs of students? Join National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and inquirED to explore these important questions.   Panelists…

Does designing a great project seem impossible? What about assessing it? Discover how to engage students and give them agency and ownership over the creation and evaluation of informed action projects.   Panelist Elisabeth Ventling Simon VP of Learning Experience, inquirED   note: all times Eastern Time