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Check Publications page for links and excerpts from the latest issue of The Social Studies Texan.

TCSS HONORS 2008 AWARD RECIPIENTS

The following individuals were recognized at the recent TCSS State Conference in San Antonio.

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Terri Wenzel, Pearland ISD

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Dawn Burkhart, Pearland ISD

High School Teacher of the Year: Melissa McCalla Allen, Pasadena ISD

NOVA Teacher of the Year: Ashley Howard, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

Billy Sills Distinguished Service Award: Sharon Pope, Editor of The Social Studies Texan

Left to right: Sharon Pope, Dawn Burkhart, Terri Wenzel, Melissa Allen

NOVA Teacher of the Year: Ashley Howard (right) with her presenter, Mapra Gentry

NCSS SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Sonia Noyola, Corpus Christi ISD, who was recently named a Secondary Teacher of the Year by NCSS. She presented a workshop session on her successful activities in motivating students to become more involved in their community and their world.
Here is a link to Sonia's presentation outline.

2009 OFFICERS ELECTED

The following TCSS officers were elected for 2009:

President-Elect: Nancy Hester

Vice President: Kathy Uhlich

Parliamentarian: Susan Locklear

Left to right: Susan Locklear, Nancy Hester, Kathy Uhlich

Join a TCSS Committee

Would you like to be more involved in your professional association? Join a TCSS committee>

Download the 2009 Application

TCSS President’s Perspective

Learning, Liberty and Legacies

This issue of the Texan very appropriately focuses on the election process and civic responsibilities. The excitement of an election year opens the door to consideration of many issues in addition to the campaigns of the presidential candidates. There are so many “teachable moments” to maximize, with topics of interest for everyone. The important lessons about civic engagement and understanding the legacies of those who have struggled for us to enjoy living in a free society seem somehow more important during elections and are at the heart of why we teach social studies.

I was beginning to formulate my ideas for this article one evening in late May when I heard an announcement on the evening news that Senator Edward Kennedy was facing a serious medical problem. This news caused me to begin reflecting more directly on the importance of legacies. Since the greatest legacy our founding fathers left us is a democratic-republic where we can participate in our government, I don’t think this is too much of a stretch.

I am particularly moved by Senator Kennedy’s situation because I am a James Madison Memorial Fellow. I know that he will be remembered for many things in addition to this fellowship program, but it provides a very clear example of how an elected official can impact the lives of the people he represents and an example of the good our system of government can achieve. The Madison fellowship began at the time of the bicentennial with Senator Kennedy’s desire to celebrate the legacy of the U.S. Constitution with more than fireworks and parades. He wanted to inspire social studies teachers to strengthen their understanding of this document and share that knowledge with their students. His vision and leadership resulted in legislation that created the Madison Foundation in 1986, and he still serves as chairman of the fellowship’s board of directors. Senator Kennedy recognized the “need to teach young people, who will be tomorrow’s citizens, knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of limited government and constitutional liberty on which individual freedom and public good depend.” Every year, the fellowship grants a scholarship to at least one secondary teacher from each state to get a graduate degree in political science, United States history, or education, with an emphasis in constitutional study. The central idea is that as teachers gain a deeper understanding of the principles of constitutional government, they in turn will be able to transmit this understanding to their students. In this way the James Madison Fellowship ensures that the spirit and practical wisdom of the Constitution will guide the actions of future generations of American citizens. That is a lasting legacy.

TCSS President, Amy Thibaut, assumed the duties of her office on January 1, 2008. Click here to read her complete “President’s Perspective” in the latest issue of The Social Studies Texan.

THE 2008 TCSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President	Amy Thibaut	Amy is the Director of Social Studies for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston.
Past President	Terry Cherry	Terry teaches 8th grade U.S. History at Memorial Preparatory Middle School in the Garland Independent School District.
President-Elect	Judy Brodigan	Judy is the retired Director of Elementary Social Studies, Lewisville ISD, and is now a social studies consultant.
Vice President	Kathy Uhlich	Kathy is the Secondary Social Studies Instructional Specialist with the Lewisville Independent School District.
Treasurer	Dr. Ned Moss	Ned is the Director of Advanced Studies for the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.
Parliamentarian	Susan Locklear	Susan teaches Pre-AP World History at Pasadena Memorial High School in Pasadena ISD.
Recording Secretary	Robin Sabo	Robin is the High School Social Studies Helping Teacher in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
Executive Secretary	Stephen Johnson	Stephen teaches 11th grade AP US History and Senior Class sponsor at Monterey High School in Lubbock.
Director of Membership	Linda Massey	Linda teaches AP U.S. History at Seagoville High School in the Dallas Independent School District.
Editor of The Texan	Sharon Pope	Sharon is the retired Director of Secondary Social Studies for the Spring Branch School District in Houston.
Website Coordinator	Allen Reding	Allen teaches Government and Economics at Clear View High School in the Clear Creek Independent School District.
Curriculum Liaison	Betty Barringer	Betty teaches 7th grade Texas Studies at the William B. Travis Academy for the Academically Talented & Gifted in Dallas.
Curriculum Liaison	Nancy Hester	Nancy is the Social Studies Coordinator for the Georgetown Independent School District.
TSSSA President	Tina Melcher	Tina is the Social Studies Coordinator for the Round Rock Independent School District.

The Texas Council for the Social Studies

P.O. Box 35761
Houston TX 77235