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Make Plans For TCSS Fall Conference

It’s time to book your room for the fall conference in San Antonio October 24-26, 2008. Click here to access the conference page and registration information.

Just added for Saturday evening -- A Private Twilight Tour of the Alamo, the shrine of Texas liberty. A once in a lifetime event for TCSS attendees! As the sun sets across the Alamo City, enjoy a private twilight tour of the Shrine of Texas Liberty as led by the Alamo's well-trained interpretive staff. Step inside the sacristy where Susanna Dickinson and her daughter hid while fierce fighting raged just beyond her quarters. Enjoy the newly refurbished Long Barrack Museum and Cavalry Courtyard. Listen to the account of the 13-day siege and lose yourself in the stories of Texas history while standing inside the gates of this historical edifice!

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.