President's  Message - Fall 2022

September is a busy month!  Educators, students and families start up school routines. There is a definite shift in energy from relaxed summer days.   We celebrate Labor Day, honor and remember those that died on September 11th on Patriots’ Day, and celebrate Constitution Day, and Rosh Hashanah. Those of us in education get to experience a “new year” in September - trying out new ideas, forming new habits, and meeting new colleagues.  

This fall will undoubtedly continue to present challenges for Social Studies educators.  I urge you to stay strong in your purpose as a Social Studies educator.  We can be our best advocates when we promote a full understanding of Social Studies and the importance of our work. NYSCSS and our members are committed to ensuring that all students graduate from high school and college ready for lifelong learning, engaging careers, and active civic life. In 2022, this means learning “hard history” and discussing controversial issues.   

Our work with students, parents, in our schools, districts and our communities matters. Your informed voice matters.  If you need help advocating for Social Studies in your local community, reach out to us.  NCSS Position Statements provide resources that can be used to support the teaching of Social Studies in local communities. Recent position statements include Media Literacy, Human Rights Education, and Antisemitism, Antisemitic Violence, and All Bigotry and Discrimination.    

On behalf of the New York State Council for the Social Studies, I’d like to wish you a great school year!  We are excited to offer webinars and a teacher network meeting in the first quarter of the school year.  You’ll hear more about our plans for our 2023 Annual Convention this fall.   We are a strong professional organization.  We aspire to act as a market-place of ideas for New York Social Studies educators – a forum and a showcase for instructional strategies, materials, and programs; teaching methods; and advocacy through service.   You can be part of this professional network by getting involved in a local Council for the Social Studies and/or participating in  an NYSCSS Committee.    More information about getting involved is available on our website. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@nyscss.org.  

Lisa Kissinger

President, 2022-2024