President’s Message
July 2026
Maxwell Comando, President
Connecticut Council for the Social Studies
After a recent CCSS board meeting, a colleague offered a simple reflection: “We did a lot tonight, but more importantly, it’s a nice reminder of how much I like all of you.” After a long school day and a difficult commute, that comment stayed with me. I left the meeting energized by the work ahead and grateful for the people committed to doing it.
That is what CCSS does at its best. We bring educators together to strengthen their practice and remind one another why this work matters.
In 2026, that sense of community is essential. Social studies educators are navigating intense public scrutiny while helping students make sense of a complicated world. The responsibility can feel heavy. Teachers need a professional community that stands behind them and advocates for the conditions that allow meaningful learning to happen.
CCSS is committed to being that community.
Our mission is to advocate and build capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, services, and support to educators. We carry that mission into our annual conference and into professional learning that connects teachers with the resources of the Library of Congress and Connecticut’s historic sites. Our recognition as a Silver Star affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies reflects the sustained work of members who have helped make Connecticut a leader in our field.
We are also building for the future. Our Early Career Mentorship Program connects new social studies teachers with experienced colleagues, extending support beyond educator preparation and into the daily realities of the classroom. We are strengthening our advocacy for elementary social studies so that our youngest learners have meaningful opportunities to investigate the world around them.
As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, our work carries particular significance. Social studies helps students examine the distance between our founding ideals and lived experiences. It prepares them to weigh evidence, engage across differences, and recognize their own capacity to contribute to public life. Our participation in the Connecticut Civic Learning Coalition reflects our commitment to making those opportunities accessible to every student.
None of this happens without people willing to contribute.
CCSS is sustained by educators who volunteer after demanding school days and by members who turn an idea into a shared effort. Whatever your experience or role, there is a place for you in this work. Join a committee. Share your practice at a conference or nominate a colleague for whose teaching deserves recognition with one of our awards. Renew your membership and invite someone new who would benefit from this community.
There are moments when every educator needs someone else to help rekindle their enthusiasm. There are also moments when we can be that person for a colleague.
Thank you for helping make CCSS a place where both happen. Together, we will continue carrying social studies forward in Connecticut.
