Kentucky Council for the Social Studies

10/12/2026

This weekend! Join our friends with the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky showcasing literacy in classrooms—with many relevant connections to social studies! You’ll definitely see some KCSS friends there!

We’re excited to invite K–12 teachers, school administrators, and education students to join us for Writing Our Common-Wealth: Showcasing Literacy in Kentucky Classrooms, a fall conference hosted by the Kentucky Writing Project and the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky at Berea College.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
🕣 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
📍 Berea College, Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Building
💵 $150, including lunch
🎓 Scholarships are available!

Together, we’ll explore practical and creative approaches to literacy, including:
How authentic writing experiences, music, visual arts, civic awareness, and cross-curricular collaboration can transform instruction and student learning
How low-stakes writing activities can encourage curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking
How to embed writing to learn, demonstrate learning, and publish throughout every unit or module

We’re also thrilled to welcome author and activist Willie Carver for a keynote and writing workshop.

Whether you’re currently teaching, leading a school, or preparing to enter the education profession, we hope you’ll join us for a day of learning, writing, and connecting with fellow educators.

Register: tinyurl.com/KWPEvents
Interested in a scholarship? Apply here: Scholarship Application (link in the comment section)
We’d love to see you there!💙

09/22/2026

There’s still time to register to join us on September 29 with Greenup County’s Dr. Jill Armstrong and Retro Report! Reserve your spot through the QR code or the link below!

https://forms.gle/p9M9Vh2oMeaTi5iB9

09/16/2026

Join KCSS and Greenup County High School teacher Dr. Jill Armstrong on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:00pm ET for a virtual professional learning session on using Retro Report’s instructional resources to bridge history and current events in the classroom!

Register through the QR code or the following link:

https://forms.gle/p9M9Vh2oMeaTi5iB9

09/13/2026

The best part of KCSS is… YOU. We had a great day sharing and learning together at the Kentucky Historical Society Saturday. It’s great to continue building our network of colleagues and friends together.

You are always welcome to join us. Your membership is more than just the conference! See for yourself at kysscouncil.org

09/13/2026

Congratulations again to our 2026 Awards Recipients!

Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year: Kirby Haskins, Owingsville Elementary, Bath County

Outstanding Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year: Hannah Laswell, Rockcastle County Middle School, Rockcastle County

Outstanding High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year: Christy Cartner, Bryan Station High School, Fayette County

Georgia Davis Powers Award: Daniela DiGiacomo, Kentucky Student Voice Team & University of Kentucky

Meece Award for Excellence in Social Studies: posthumously awarded to Scott Dobler, Kentucky Geographic Alliance. We were honored to have his brother and son accept the award on his behalf.

09/12/2026

Our friend Annie Evans from New American History & The University of Richmond delivers our closing keynote, inspiring our Kentucky social studies friends to go forward and continue to do the good work!

09/12/2026

Welcome home Dr. Ryan New! Now the Director of Professional Learning for iCivics, our good friend kicked off our conference with an impactful opening keynote on the importance and power of inquiry.

KCSS is “igniting” our fire for social studies instruction with our regular sessions now.

09/12/2026

We were honored to welcome the EMMY WINNING production team of “Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall” for a select screening and panel discussion during our pre-conference activities this evening. It was an impactful discussion on the community razed to expand WKU in Bowling Green in the 1960s-1970s.

Some of these team members will further discuss documentary work and urban renewal during Session 3 tomorrow!

Registration/check-in for KCSS 2026 opens at 8:15 tomorrow morning in the Broadway Lobby in front of The 1792 Gift Shop with opening session at 8:45!

09/11/2026

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!

We see y’all RSVPing… from Louisville to Lexington, Dawson Springs to Fort Thomas, Ashland to Hazard, Morehead, Bullitt County, Todd County, Martin County…

You can still pay your annual dues and register to join us for KCSS 2026!

Registration opens at 8:15 ET tomorrow in the Broadway lobby of Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort!

Planning to join us for KCSS 2026? Confirm your attendance here. Ensure your KCSS membership (which includes conference registration) is up-to-date here.