Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring 2026 Edition
Read the articles on our blog!
Membership applications are at the bottom of our home page
2026 NJCSS Conference
Monday, October 19, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Busch Student Center at Rutgers University
604 Bartholomew Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Road Map for a Changing World: Connecting, Engaging & Inspiring
Call for Proposals PDF (Deadline: June 15, 2026)
Exhibitor Registration PDF (Deadline: September 5, 2026)
Conference Registration PDF ($25 for Preservice and Retired Teachers)
Presidential Leadership During Crises
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Peck School
247 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
9:00 – 3:00 (5 PD Hours)
Jeremy Ray – Lead Historian
Jeremy Ray is the Sr. Director of Interpretation at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, where he has worked since 2007. He is proud to oversee the implementation of Mount Vernon’s educational goals through the Character Interpretation, Historic Trades Interpretation, and History Interpretation departments. During his tenure at Mount Vernon, Jeremy has worked in several capacities, including Manager of History Interpretation, Interpretive Supervisor, and as a History Interpreter leading Mansion tours. Jeremy holds a B.A. in history from Virginia Tech.
Jeff Boogaard – Lead Educator
Jeff Boogaard teaches 10th and 12th grade students in AP U.S. Government and Politics, Accelerated U.S. History I, and Economics at Haddonfield Memorial High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Jeff also serves as the advisor/coach of his school’s Model United Nations and Academic Challenge teams. He is a graduate of Rutgers University where he obtained both BA and MA degrees in American History.
Program is FREE
For K-12 Teachers in the Tri-State area and you will receive an Honorarium
Limited to 25 Teachers
Register Today!
Information
9 a.m. Introduction to Presidential Leadership
10 a.m. Keynote Speaker - Jeremy Ray
11:30 a.m.Lunch
12:30 p.m. Utilizing Mount Vernon Digital Resource - Jeffery Boogard
2:30 p.m. Evaluations/Conclusion
Sponsored by the George Washington Teacher Institute & the NJCSS
NJSoC Rev War Award to a NJ Teacher, 2027
Application Form (Applications for 2027 will be posted in September)
The New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati (NJSoC) Excellence in Education Award annually honors a notable full-time middle school or high school teacher in the State of New Jersey, in public, private, charter and parochial schools, who excels in teaching the history of the Revolutionary period, and who inspires an appreciation and understanding of the values and ideals of the heroes who fought to establish our nation. The chosen teacher will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and certificate of recognition.
Princeton Battlefield Society Video or Audio Contest on the American Revolution in New Jersey
Submit Entry by June 12, 2026
Information
250th Anniversary Digital History Contest - Princeton Battlefield Society
Resources for the NEW Mandate for Teaching Hispanic and Latino History on NJ Schools
Update Your Curriculum Guides for QSAC
Thematic Resource for Latinx History and Culture (1/1/2026)
Resources for Grades K-5 (11/1/2025)
Resources for Grades 6-8 in U.S. History (11/1/2025)
Resources for Grades 9-12 in U.S. History (11/1/2025)
Labor Movement Timeline
Presidents and Labor Strikes
Resources for Teaching the Presidency
President Trump's Cabinet and Current World Leaders
Continuity and Change: The Presidency of Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump
The Republican Party Platform: 20 Promises to the American People
Resources for Teaching the Middle East Conflict
The War Powers Act (Section 3)
Analysis of The War Powers Act (Council on Foreign Relations)
Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Middle East Conflict (13 minute Video)
The Impact of Decisions by Presidents on the Economy (Activities for Discussion on Current Issues)
President Richard Nixon (Inflation)
President Ronald Reagan (Tax Cuts and Social Security)
President Bill Clinton (Vaccinations)
President Bill Clinton (Tariffs and Free Trade Agreements)
Dr. Milton Friedman on Free Trade: Pencil Lesson Video (3 minutes) (You Tube)
Presidents and Labor Strikes
Decisions for You: The Federal Reserve Bank (Lisa Cook, Jerome Powell, Fed Funds Rate)
Decisions for You: The 25th Amendment (Five Scenarios)
Case Study: An Illegal Military Order
Executive Orders Applicable to Public Education and the Teaching of Social Studies
from the President of the United States (1/29/25)
Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunities for Families
Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools
Returning Education to Parents, States, and Communities to Improve Education Outcomes (3/20/25)
Curriculum Framework with Lesson Resources
NJ Model Curriculum with Best Practices for Elementary Grades
Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
NJ Model Curriculum for World History in Middle School
NJ Model Curriculum for U.S. History in Middle School
NJ Curriculum Framework for Teaching Civics Mandate within U.S. History available upon request
Engaging High School Students in Global Civics Lessons
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Teacher Education by Dr. Jiwon Kim and Dr. Sandra Zak from Monmouth University
Contributing authors who are NJCSS members: Hank Bitten, Christine Grabowski, Dr. Mark Pearcy
Interdisciplinary Teaching and Teacher Education
Published by Roman & Littlefield
The NJCSS is Collecting K-12 Lessons on Climate Education
Upload your Lessons to THIS FOLDER
Label lessons by District and Grade Band. (Teacher Name is optional)
NJCSS Middle School Lesson on New Jersey's Progress in reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
NJCSS High School Lesson on The Great Climate Debate
Interactive Map of Flooding in Coastal Communities in New Jersey
Interactive Map of Flooding in NYC by 2040
Still Waiting
A Children's Story Book about Climate Change
Authored & Illustrated by Danielle Lee (High School Student) Video Link
To request author visit, paper books, please email Danielle Lee
Teaching Tips from Subject To Climate
NJ Center for Civic Education Workshops
NJ Center For Civic Education - Events-
Contact Arlene Gardner at [email protected]
Project Citizen (6/3/2026)
High School
First Place -Ridge High School
Second Place - New Providence High School
Third Place - Manasquan High School
Middle School
First Place - The Laurel School of Princeton
Second Place - Florence Gaudineer Middle School
Third Place - Montclair Kimberley Academy
We the People Competition (Jan. 28, 2026)
First Place - East Brunswick HS
Second Place - Montclair HS
Third Place - Bayonne HS
The State of Social Studies in NJ Schools
NJCSS Fred Cotterell Teacher of the Year Awards (2025-26)
Congratulations to NJCSS Distinguished Social Studies Educators
Hannah Azofeifa-Urena
Readington-Flemington Intermediate School
Giselle Torres
P.G. Vroom Community School, Bayonne
Patricia Wyskowski
Bayonne HS
NJCSS Lifetime Educator Award
Joseph Refinski
East Orange Public Schools
Congratulations!
What is NJCSS?
The NJCSS is a statewide association in New Jersey with 1,600 members devoted solely to social studies education. A major goal and accomplishment of the NJCSS has been to bring together educators from all social studies disciplines, including history, economics, political science, sociology, geography, anthropology, and psychology.
Our members are elementary, intermediate, secondary and college educators as well as other professionals who share the commitment to the social studies. Together, NJCSS members work toward a better understanding of the social studies and its importance in developing responsible participation in social, political, and economic life. Contact Hank Bitten
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Recent Publications
June Newsletter 2026 May Newsletter 2026 April Newsletter 2026 March Newsletter 2026 February Newsletter 2026 January Newsletter 2026 December Newsletter 2025 November Newsletter 2025 October Newsletter 2025 September Newsletter 2025 Beneath the Floorboards Digital Exhibit on Enslaved Persons in Monmouth County, NJ Call for Manuscripts for our August 2026 edition is May 31, 2026 (Click for Details) Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall 2025 Edition Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter - Spring 2025 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2024 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring, 2024 Individual articles are also on our blog: https://teachingsocialstudies.org 2020 NJ Social Studies Standards NJ DOE Resources for Standards Including Grade Bands Profiles New Mandate for Asian American Pacific Islanders History & Contributions NJ Department of Education Curriculum Integration of AAPI & DEI Mandates NJDOE Resources for Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in K-12 NJ Climate Education Resources Google Drive K-12 Curriculum Resources on Interdisciplinary Climate Education 2020 NJ Financial Literacy & Career & Life Skills Standards (Begin p. 21) Educating for Democracy Roadmap (39 pp) Educating for Democracy Report: Excellence in History & Civics (34 pp) Student Recognition Awards for 2025-26 CONGRATULATIONS! Hall of Fame of Recognized Students (2018-2026) *First Place Recognition Award Middle School Division Northern NJ - Noa Streater* (Montclair Kimberley Academy (Nominated by CherylAnne Amendola), Alora Bravo (Walter O. Krumbiegel MS), Luke George, (Charles A. Selzer MS, Dumont), Kamiya Miles (Ezra L. Nolan MS School PS #40, Jersey City), Melvin Till (Lovell J. Honis, Dumont) Central NJ - Jadiel Placencia* William C. McGinnis MS (Nominated by Jamie Loban), Blake Manning (Reynolds MS) Southern NJ - Joseph Murray, Manchester Township MS (Nominated by Robert Morris) High School Division Northern NJ - *Benjamin Dong, Ramsey High School (Nominated by Daniel Willever), Faye Budnik (West Morris Mendham HS), Bassirou Gueye (Henry Snyder HS, Jersey City), Kian Kilcoyne (West Morris Mendham HS), Grace Legacki (West Morris Mendham HS), Sadie Martinez (Dumont HS), Rafael Rodriguez (Dumont HS), Ibrahim Shahmedhi (West Morris Mendham HS), Jordan Sorial (West Morris Mendham HS), Claire Szabo (West Morris Mendham HS) Central NJ - *Elena Burns, Middletown High School South (Nominated by Nina Balestriere D’Urso) Join the NJCSS or Renew your membership for 2026-27! (Only $25.00) Online Registration Form PDF Registration Form Payment may be made by PayPal (link is below), PO, or check. Mail your PO or check to NJCSS, Rutgers University-Livingston Campus, Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A-350, 54 Joyce Kilmer Ave., Piscataway, NJ 08854 Join the NJSSSA (Social Studies Supervisors Association) Online Form Contact Gabrielle Rendek, Cranford Public Schools [email protected] Join the NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies) New Jersey Council for the Social Studies Rutgers University, Livingston Campus Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A350 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854 |
Directions to Busch Campus Center - Rutgers University
