March Newsletter 2026
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)
NJSoC Rev War Award to a NJ Teacher, 2026
Application Form
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.
$1,620 Scholarship Award (Poster Contest) for New Jersey Junior/Senior High School Students
“The Legacy of the Mayflower Compact: Past, Present, or Future!”
Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
The Society of the Mayflower Descendants in the State of New Jersey has established an awards program to recognize junior and/or senior students who are attending a NJ public, parochial, private, or are home schooled or are a legal resident of NJ and attending a school outside of NJ. The program will take place on a regional basis for students in the northern, central, and southern counties of the state and will recognize three (3) students in each region. One student in each of the regions will receive a $1,620 scholarship.
Information: www.njcss.org Apply Here
Princeton Battlefield Society Video or Audio Contest on the American Revolution in New Jersey
Register by March 31,2026, Submit Entry by June 12, 2026.
5-10 minute video or podcast on an event, person, demographic group, document, or topic related to the American Revolution (1775-1783) in New Jersey
Information
250th Anniversary Digital History Contest - Princeton Battlefield Society
Scholarship Opportunity!!
All NJ High Schools
Nine $1,500 awards and also an opportunity for a $5,000 award!!
No Essay! Applicants teach one of our FREE civics lessons
and create a campaign encouraging their peers to vote!
Contact us at [email protected]
Visit our Website: Energizing Young Voters for details!
Submission Deadline May 1, 2026
Information
NJCSS Student Recognition Awards (Deadline is March 15, 2026)
Announcements will be made around April 25, 2026
NJCSS Teacher of the Year Awards (Deadline is April 30, 2026)
K-5 Elementary Teacher Nomination
Grades 6-8 Middle School Teacher Nomination
Grades 9-12 High School Teacher Nomination
Road to Liberty Through Their Eyes
Video about NJ/NY in the American Revolution coming in May 2026 for Grade 5-12 students
Information
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
Center for Holocaust. Human Rights & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Resistance: Mothers' Quest for Justice
Brookdale Community College
Information
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 Bob O'Dell at [email protected] or Arlene Gardner at [email protected]
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
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)
NJSoC Rev War Award to a NJ Teacher, 2026
Application Form
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.
$1,620 Scholarship Award (Poster Contest) for New Jersey Junior/Senior High School Students
“The Legacy of the Mayflower Compact: Past, Present, or Future!”
Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026
The Society of the Mayflower Descendants in the State of New Jersey has established an awards program to recognize junior and/or senior students who are attending a NJ public, parochial, private, or are home schooled or are a legal resident of NJ and attending a school outside of NJ. The program will take place on a regional basis for students in the northern, central, and southern counties of the state and will recognize three (3) students in each region. One student in each of the regions will receive a $1,620 scholarship.
Information: www.njcss.org Apply Here
Princeton Battlefield Society Video or Audio Contest on the American Revolution in New Jersey
Register by March 31,2026, Submit Entry by June 12, 2026.
5-10 minute video or podcast on an event, person, demographic group, document, or topic related to the American Revolution (1775-1783) in New Jersey
Information
250th Anniversary Digital History Contest - Princeton Battlefield Society
Scholarship Opportunity!!
All NJ High Schools
Nine $1,500 awards and also an opportunity for a $5,000 award!!
No Essay! Applicants teach one of our FREE civics lessons
and create a campaign encouraging their peers to vote!
Contact us at [email protected]
Visit our Website: Energizing Young Voters for details!
Submission Deadline May 1, 2026
Information
NJCSS Student Recognition Awards (Deadline is March 15, 2026)
Announcements will be made around April 25, 2026
NJCSS Teacher of the Year Awards (Deadline is April 30, 2026)
K-5 Elementary Teacher Nomination
Grades 6-8 Middle School Teacher Nomination
Grades 9-12 High School Teacher Nomination
Road to Liberty Through Their Eyes
Video about NJ/NY in the American Revolution coming in May 2026 for Grade 5-12 students
Information
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
Center for Holocaust. Human Rights & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Resistance: Mothers' Quest for Justice
Brookdale Community College
Information
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 Bob O'Dell at [email protected] or Arlene Gardner at [email protected]
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
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 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2023 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring, 2023 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall, 2022 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring 2022 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer-Fall 2021 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Winter-Spring 2021 Teaching Social Studies Journal - Summer/Fall 2020 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 2024-25 CONGRATULATIONS! Hall of Fame of Recognized Students (2018-2025) *First Place Recognition Award Middle School Division Northern NJ - Maria Konds* (James F. Murray (PS #38), Jersey City (Nominated by James Lindberg), Asil Abouheiba (Joseph H. Brensinger PS #17, Jersey City), Yohanna Serrano Argueta, (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Sophia Barth (Rafael De J.Cordero y Molina School PS #37, Jersey City), Elijah Brown (Walter O. Krumbiegel MS, Hillside). Logan Castillo (Lovell J. Honiss, Dumont), Vihaan Mahajan (Academy 1 MS Jersey City), Madison Peck (Manchester MS), Isabella Saad (Franklin L Williams PS#7, Jersey City), Makaylah Samaroo (Walter O. Krumbiegel MS, Hillside), Tahjera Trotman (Charles A. Selzer School, Dumont) Central NJ - Grace Margerum* Haddon Heights JSH (Nominated by James B. Smith), Kaleigh Casimir (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Darisleidy Hernandez (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy), Jacob Knapp (Roosevelt Intermediate School, Westfield), Henry Mannah (North Brunswick Township MS), Khaled Zeidan (William C. McGinnis MS, Perth Amboy) Southern NJ - Will Wenk* T.E. Harrington MS, Mt. Laurel (Nominated by Matthew Mortimer) High School Division Northern NJ - *Valentina Colacurto, Leonia High School (Nominated by Timothy Cullen), Jayda Grandison (Dumont HS), Keshavee Khera (Dickinson HS), Yoobi Kim (Leonia HS),Iqra Naz (Infinity Institute, Jersey City), Philip Seto (Pascack Valley HS, Hillsdale), Jiho Shin (Bergen County Technical HS), Nida Waheed (Liberty HS) Central NJ - *Rishay Gupta, Middletown High School South (Nominated by Nina Balestriere D’Urso), Andrew Hum (Holmdel HS), Eduardo Jones (Ridge HS, Basking Ridge), Hoin Lee (West Windsor Plainsboro HS South), Liam Nolan (Immaculata HS, Somerville), Megan Vogt (Hillsborough HS), Southern NJ - *Marcus Sarao, Egg Harbor Township High School (Nominated by Eileen Hannigan) College Division Arlene Gardner Distinguished Scholar Award Lillian G. Bryant (Manasquan) Virginia Tech 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
