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Welcome to WCSS 25 - MAKING SOCIAL STUDIES MATTER! We are excited to host a powerful two day conference in our state capital, sharing countless ideas and methods to continue making social studies relevant to our students.  Get ready to learn, grow, and have some fun in the process!
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Company: Sharing Untold Stories clear filter
Friday, March 14
 

8:30am CDT

Teaching Beyond Black History Month
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
CONF 4
Feedback Survey
Learn the importance of teaching American History that integrates African American History, K-12. See curated resources (videos, lesson plans) on WI Black Hx, Africa Before Slave Trade, Slavery, Reconstruction, Civil Rights & contributions of African Americans. Hear the voices of districts committed to integrating Black Hx into their school’s SS curriculum. Explore applications to your teaching.
Speakers
MS
JM
GS
Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
CONF 4
  US History, All Social Studies Educators

9:45am CDT

Contemporary Indigenous History: Sovereignty & Self-Determination
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Current curricula often ignore the influence of Indigenous peoples on contemporary history, and contain scant mention of current Indigenous issues, leaving students believing that Native Americans are a race lost to the past. This Retro Report collection of films and lessons aims to help teachers tell a fuller story.
Speakers
avatar for David Olson

David Olson

Director of Education, Retro Report
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 1
  US History, High School 9-12

9:45am CDT

The Journey Back: Teaching Holocaust History Through Immersive Technology
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
CONF 3
Feedback Survey
Discover the power of virtual reality to enhance Holocaust education through 360-immersive technology. Based on the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s award-winning VR films, this session will introduce educators to this impactful learning experience. In addition to the films themselves, participants will explore accompanying teaching materials and learn how to book these trunks for their classrooms.
Speakers
EP
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
CONF 3
  General Social Studies, Middle & High School

9:45am CDT

MKE Roots: Democratizing Local History
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
CONF 2
Feedback Survey
MKE Roots is a place-based, inquiry-centered approach to teaching the history and civic engagement of Milwaukee’s communities—especially its communities of color, indigenous nations, and other historically marginalized communities. MKE Roots aims to empower students see themselves within the civic landscape of our city. This session will highlight MKE Curriculum and its implementation.
Speakers
RS
Friday March 14, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
CONF 2
  US History, High School 9-12

10:20am CDT

The 5Ks and Beyond: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Sikh American Experiences
Friday March 14, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Expand your understanding of Sikhism and Sikh American experiences. Sikh identity is often very visible on the surface, but the practices, beliefs, and experiences of Sikh Americans are often invisible. Learn more about Sikhism and the 120 years of Sikh-American history. Receive resources to promote cultural and religious literacy to enhance your teaching of AAPI history and heritage.
Speakers
KS
Friday March 14, 2025 10:20am - 10:50am CDT
CONF 1
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

12:30pm CDT

Building a New Nation: Women’s History in the Early Republic
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
CONF 4
Feedback Survey
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, examine how women advocated for rights in the Early Republic and consider how to bring diverse perspectives into your teaching of the country’s founding. Using materials from The New York Historical's free curriculum website "Women & the American Story" (WAMS), participants will analyze how women participated in and resisted the formation of the US.
Speakers
avatar for Lynn Saltonstall

Lynn Saltonstall

Manager of Professional Learning, The New York Historical
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
CONF 4
  US History, Middle School 6-8

12:30pm CDT

Expanding Act 30: America’s Black Holocaust Museum and Wisconsin Armenian Community
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
CONF 2
Feedback Survey
Act 30 mandated Holocaust & genocide education in middle & secondary social studies. This session brings together Milwaukee’s America’s Black Holocaust Museum & Wisconsin’s Armenian Community to present local histories, connections, & resources for teaching and learning about genocide and its legacies in Wisconsin middle and secondary social studies.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. George Dalbo

Dr. George Dalbo

Professor of Education and Youth Studies, Beloit College
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
CONF 2
  US History, Middle & High School

12:30pm CDT

Using Comics to Teach Untold History
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
- Identify multiple ways that a comic can be used to discuss difficult moments in history in a culturally responsive way.
- Integrate primary sources into a history lesson in a culturally responsive way
- Describe ways that comics can be used to develop literacy and SEL skills
Speakers
SM
Friday March 14, 2025 12:30pm - 2:45pm CDT
CAUCUS
  US History, High School 9-12

1:05pm CDT

Teachers helping teachers: Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network
Friday March 14, 2025 1:05pm - 1:35pm CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Please join on of the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network (TPSTN) Mentors to learn about connecting with 1000s of teachers nationwide for insights, ideas and lessons. During this power session, folks will learn how to join, search and create through the TPSTN. Specific resources, sources for assistance and connections will be highlighted throughout.
Speakers
avatar for Diana Laufenberg

Diana Laufenberg

Executive Director, inquiryschools.org
A farm kid from Wisconsin, Diana Laufenberg has taught all grade levels from 7-12 in Social Studies. Laufenberg most recently taught at the Science Leadership Academy (SLA). For the past two decades Diana has been a secondary social studies teacher in Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona and Pennsylvania. She most recently taught at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, an inquiry-driven, project-based high school focused on modern learning. Her... Read More →
Friday March 14, 2025 1:05pm - 1:35pm CDT
CONF 1
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

1:45pm CDT

Teaching the Black Holocaust through Museums and Local History
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
CONF 2
Feedback Survey
America’s Black Holocaust Museum educates the general public about the harmful legacies of enslavement and Jim Crow. This session will discuss the history of the museum, our founder’s experience as a survivor of a lynching attempt, and the many ways we engage with school groups about these difficult topics through curricular alignment and museum visits.
Speakers
AD
Friday March 14, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
CONF 2
  US History, All Social Studies Educators

3:00pm CDT

Tell A Story-Record History
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 4
Feedback Survey
Give your students the opportunity to use technology to capture history through the voices of those they know. With today's digital tools, the process of interviewing and documenting personal stories has never been easier. By harnessing these resources, you can enhance learning experiences, foster deeper student engagement, and make history more accessible and relevant to their lives.
Speakers
avatar for Sonja Pupovac
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 4
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

3:00pm CDT

Why Hmong Education and Curriculum Matters
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
SENATE A
Feedback Survey
Attendees will gain key cultural and historical insights into the Hmong community to address Wisconsin Act 266. As Hmong students, we advocate for our peers and educators to experience content that fosters diversity and cultural awareness. Our goal is for attendees to understand that Hmong history should be taught with authenticity, respect, and care.
Speakers
DX
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
SENATE A
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

3:00pm CDT

Teaching Asian America in K-12 Classrooms
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 3
Feedback Survey
In April 2024, Gov. Evers signed a bill requiring the teaching of Hmong and Asian America in K-12 classrooms. In this session, the authors of the book Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms and developers of the Stop AAPI Hate K-12 Asian American Studies Curriculum Framework will offer an overview of Asian America and a wealth of suggestions and resources for K-12 classroom instruction.
Speakers
avatar for Sohyun An

Sohyun An

Professor of Social Studies Education Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Kennesaw State University
Dr. Sohyun An is a professor of social studies education at Kennesaw State University. She received B.S. and M.S. degrees in social studies education from Seoul National University in South Korea, and Ph.D. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison... Read More →
NR
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 3
  Professional Development, All Social Studies Educators

3:00pm CDT

WAMS: Women and the American Story-New York Historical Society
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 2
Are you looking for ways to include the rich and diverse history of women in the United States? Well, look no further for there is an amazing resource by the New York Historical Society called  "Women and the American Story" (WAMS)!  WAMS is a groundbreaking curriculum developed by the New York Historical Society. 
Through this interactive and engaging presentation, you will gain understanding and knowledge of WAMS which is a free, interdisciplinary resource that brings to light the vital contributions and experiences of women from the 1600s to today. The presentation will showcase the integration of women's primary sources, historical narratives, and teaching strategies on how to use the curriculum to enrich classroom discussions and encourage a deeper understanding of U.S. history through the lens of women’s stories. It will be an empowering and educational presentation that redefines how we think about American history. 
Speakers
avatar for Jen Wachowski

Jen Wachowski

High School Social Studies, Mishicot High School
I have worked within the Mishicot School District for 20 years. To describe me, I am a very passionate and dedicated learner and teacher of history. My mission is to provide a historical learning environment that invites my students to experience history as stories waiting to be told... Read More →
Friday March 14, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT
CONF 2
  US History, All Social Studies Educators
 
Saturday, March 15
 

9:15am CDT

Bringing AAPI and Hmong Stories to Life: A Teacher's Guide to Implementing Act 266
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
UNIV CD
Feedback Survey
Join Wisconsin Historical Society's workshop led by AAPI and Hmong educators! Learn effective strategies for implementing Act 266 through interactive demos and primary sources. Discover ways to integrate AAPI and Hmong histories into your curriculum. Includes hands-on activities and Q&A to help you confidently bring these important stories to your classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Kate Van Haren

Kate Van Haren

Kate Van Haren teaches upper elementary school in Pittsville Wisconsin. She teaches social studies and reading. Kate is a board member of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies and has worked on curriculum development for the Wisconsin Historical Society, Minnesota Historical... Read More →
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
UNIV CD
  General Social Studies, All Social Studies Educators

9:15am CDT

Tools for Teaching Responsible and Engaging Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 2
Feedback Survey
This session will explore the myriad resources offered by the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Resource Center. Educators at this session will have the opportunity to preview pre-made lesson plans and primary sources as well as learn about field trip opportunities, traveling trunks, and professional development workshops.

Speakers
SG

Sam Goldberg

Holocaust Education Resource Center
EP
Saturday March 15, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
CONF 2
  General Social Studies, High School 9-12

10:30am CDT

ENGAGE: Building Global Citizenship Through Human Rights and Genocide Education
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:00am CDT
CONF 1
Feedback Survey
Dive into the world of human rights and genocide education! We'll explore powerful stories, global responses to crises, and real-world issues like migration and modern slavery. You'll swap ideas, tackle hands-on activities, and brainstorm how to bring these topics into your classroom. Walk away with creative strategies to get your students thinking like global citizens.
Speakers
avatar for Justin Glodowski

Justin Glodowski

Former WCSS President, Marshfield HS
Host of the ENGAGE: Teaching the Social Studies Podcast!
Saturday March 15, 2025 10:30am - 11:00am CDT
CONF 1
  Civics/Government, High School 9-12

1:15pm CDT

Using the U.S. Supreme Court to Teach More Inclusive History
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
CAUCUS
Feedback Survey
Courts are often venues for people to challenge discrimination and seek relief and societal change. Sometimes court is the best or only option. Other times it is not. Explore how diverse advocates used court to pursue equity. Cases focus on 5 areas: religion, disability, LGBTQ, AAPI, and Native Americans. Ready resources included.
Speakers
TM
Saturday March 15, 2025 1:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
CAUCUS
  Civics/Government, All Social Studies Educators

2:30pm CDT

Using Digital Literacy Skills to Teach and Learn about the Armenian Genocide
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
CONF 3
Feedback Survey
Explore digital literacy skills to empower students to analyze historical and contemporary narratives about the Armenian Genocide and genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh. Participants in this session will examine tools to empower students to critically evaluate news, social media, and academic sources, identify biases, and foster informed discussions on propaganda, denial, genocide, and human rights.
Speakers
GD
Saturday March 15, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
CONF 3
  General Pedagogy, Middle & High School
 
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