Public Announcements
Early-Career Fellowship Program
Early-Career Fellowship Program
Early-Career Teachers
Years 1–5
Who Should Apply
- Teachers in years 1–5
- Currently teaching social studies in grades K–12 in Connecticut
- Committed to growing instructional practice
What Fellows Do
- Participate in monthly virtual meetings or two in-person workshops
- Collaborate with a veteran social studies mentor
- Develop a capstone project or presentation
- Engage in curriculum alignment and instructional growth
Professional Learning Focus
- Connecticut Social Studies Standards
- Supporting diverse learners
- Inclusive and culturally responsive practices
- Instructional innovation and technology integration
What Fellows Receive
- Individualized mentorship
- Professional recognition upon completion
- Access to CCSS professional network and resources
- Free registration to the CCSS Annual Conference
Mentors
5+ Years Experience
Who Should Apply
- 5+ years teaching social studies
- Current member of the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies
- Experience in grades K–12
- Passionate about supporting new teachers
Mentor Responsibilities
- Provide guidance and encouragement
- Support lesson planning and curriculum alignment
- Share inclusive and culturally responsive strategies
- Participate in monthly meetings or workshops
- Support a fellow’s capstone project
Why Serve as a Mentor?
- $500 stipend
- Free registration to the CCSS Annual Conference
- Professional recognition
- Expand your professional network
- Strengthen social studies instruction statewide
Questions? [email protected]
2026 Social Studies Awards
Call for Nominations: 2026 CT Social Studies Awards
The Connecticut Council for the Social Studies is now accepting nominations for the 2026 CT Social Studies Awards. These awards honor outstanding educators, administrators, pre-service teachers, and community partners whose work strengthens social studies education across Connecticut.
We invite you to recognize colleagues and projects that demonstrate excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to our field.
Nominations are due March 13, 2026, with pre-service teacher nominations due March 27, 2026.
Criteria, award descriptions, and nomination forms are available at ctsocialstudies.org/Awards_Info
New Officers & Board Members
Newly Elected Officers and Board Members
President 2025-2027
Maxwell Comando, New Haven Public Schools
Secretary 2025-2027
Melissa Zablonski, Putnam Public Schools
At-Large Board Members 2025-2028
Kasey Dunn, Cooperative Educational Services
Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, Brown University
Allison Norrie, Fairfield Public Schools
Samantha Tondreau, Mohegan Tribe
Civics & Teaching the 2024 Election
Dear educators,
Please join CCSS, ASCH, and CSDE for one, two, or all three Zoom sessions we have put together to support you with teaching civics and the 2024 election in the upcoming school year. Feel free to share the flyers and information below with others!
CT Social Studies Standards
Check out Connecticut's first set of social studies standards!
The Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Standards was approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education on October 4, 2024. This final version was distributed by the Connecticut State Department of Education in Summer 2024.
The Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, as the organization leading the charge in coordination with the Connecticut State Department of Education along with support from Connecticut Humanities and the Connecticut Democracy Center, is eager to help teacher and school districts implement the new standards. Be on the look out for professional development opportunities and workshops offered in the 2024-2025 school year!
This is a great time for social studies education. This is evidence that the social studies is revitalized in our state!
2024 Award Nominations Open
Put social studies in the spotlight and recognize excellence in our field!
Nominate a colleague (or yourself) for one of this year's CCSS awards.
Criteria and nomination forms are available at ctsocialstudies.Org/Awards_Info
Declaring Freedom Youth Conference
Declaring Freedom Youth Conference Application Open Now
Event Overview:
The Declaring Freedom Youth Conference is a transformative 2-day event hosted at Central CT State University on March 13 and 14. As part of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this conference aims to empower students to exercise their voice and engage with the historical context and lasting legacy of America's founding documents. The event will feature evocative speakers and youth-centered action-based sessions, providing a unique opportunity for students to interact with 250 peers from across the state of Connecticut. Transportation and lunches provided for both days. Each day kicks off at 9:00 (8:30 arrival) and concludes at 3:00. Limited space available. Only 15 schools will be selected and each school will select 18 students to attend. The Declaring Freedom conference is open to Connecticut high school students in Grades 10 through 12.
Educators representing selected schools will receive a stipend for their time dedicated to this important project outside of the school day.
Apply today!
https://ctsocialstudies.org/form.php?form_id=35&c=1
Thank you, Where We Live!
Thank You, Where We Live and Connecticut Public!
Much Appreciation to Katie Pellico and Catherine Shen for a wonderful conversation about the Connecticut Social Studies Standards! Standards consultants, Dr. Brittney Yancy and Dr. Michael Bartone, joined Honorary Members' Chair Steve Armstrong and CCSS President Tony Roy on WNPR's "Where We Live." This episode delves into the process of developing the standards, best practices in inquiry education, developing representative and inclusive curriculum, civics education, and ...Mariah Carey!!
Dr. Yancy provides a masterful description of how "widening the lens" through representation and inclusivity develops historical empathy and critical thinking. Making the case for the revitalization of inquiry-centered social studies education, Dr. Bartone posited that "anything we do...has to be relevant and purposeful to the students." This episode is a master class best practices. We cannot thank Katie, Catherine, and the entire Connecticut Public team enough for providing space and consideration.
Check out the episode today!
'Think like a historian': State approves new social studies standards
GUESTS:
Steve Armstrong: Social Studies Advisor, Connecticut State Department of Education; Past President, National Council for the Social Studies
Tony Roy: President, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies; Social Studies Teacher, Bloomfield Public Schools
Dr. Brittney Yancy: Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies, Illinois College
Dr. Michael Bartone: Assistant Professor, Central Connecticut State University's Department of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education
CCSS Updates Organizational Structure
CT Council Amends Constitution at Annual Meeting in alignment with Strategic Plan
At the annual meeting on May 25, 2023, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies members voted unanimously to amend the constitution. This action is the result of the recently adopted strategic plan and is intended to ensure organizational sustainability. The graphic below illustrates the updated organizational structure. The full CCSS Constitution is available to members here. 
CT Standards Guiding Principles
The CT Social Studies Standards Steering Committee Presents
Guiding Principles for Standards Development
A team of over 40 educators from around the state collaborated to create a set of guiding principles for the Connecticut Social Studies Standards Project. Initiated by Special Session Public Act 21-2, the Connecticut State Department of Education partnered with the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, with support from the Connecticut Democracy Center and Connecticut Humanities, to write new social studies standards for Connecticut's classrooms. With input from educators from across the state, the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies is proud to share the results of the steering committee. This document will inform the writing work groups as they craft the new standards. The new standards will be based on the Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Frameworks (2015) and will offer more content guidance to aid teachers and districts with their curricular decisions.
View the Guiding Principle Here
CT Standards Stakeholder Survey
The results are in!!
CCSS conducted a survey of over 500 CT educators and community members.
The Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Connecticut Democracy Center, and Connecticut Humanities, is leading an effort to write new social studies standards for Connecticut's classrooms. We've engaged teachers, administrators, college and university professors, parents, and community members to help shape our approach. The results from the survey yielded the following recommendations.
Recommendations:
- Clear organizational structures tied to course and grade level objectives.
- Content and skill standards/diversity, equity and inclusion integrated where appropriate.
- Content examples to support teacher planning.
- 21st century skill integration, including media literacy, understanding bias, analyzing sources, etc.
- Supplemental resources to support successful implementation at all grade levels.
- Ongoing public outreach & professional development.
view the full report here
