#TXCSS2022

Thank you to our teachers, exhibitors, and sponsors for an incredible #TXCSS2022. We hope you enjoyed the schedule of rock star presenters, awesome key notes speakers, and the opportunity to connect with other passionate educators from across the state.

Next year. we travel to Houston, Texas for #TXCSS2023. Stay tuned for more information, and we look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.

Checkout Photos from #TXCSS2022

TXCSS Leadership

We are pleased to announce the newly elected TXCSS Leaders. We are excited to have the experience of these educators to grow the TXCSS community and to inform decisions regarding social studies at the state level. Their terms begin January 2023. Congratulations to our new leaders!

Matthew Campbell

President-Elect

@MrMattCampbell

Ryan Monceaux

Vice President

@teacherredbeard

Crystal Klose

Elementary Representative

@crystal_klose

Jennifer Sayed

High School Representative

@mrs_sayed

Make a difference beyond the classroom

Did you know that TXCSS is a volunteer run non-profit? Social studies educators from across the state work collaboratively to support quality social studies K-12. We need you, yes you, to be a part of the TXCSS leadership team. Learn how you can serve as a leader with TXCSS.

Learn more about TXCSS Leadership

TXCSS Teacher Tips

by Evangeline Mitchell

@TXSSMitchell

The “Teacher Tips” is a new addition to La Estrella this school year as well as a new focus on social media. In each issue or post, you'll find ideas for lessons and recommendations to make your school year a little brighter and a little more fun.

The TXCSS conference is a wonderful time each year to explore, learn and connect with other educators, but now that the conference is over, the amount of new information coming your way can be overwhelming. In this edition of “Teacher Tips” we will explore the TXCSS conference and ways to make the most of the experiences, resources, and connections from your conference experience. If you did not get to attend the conference, keep reading, as I will also be sharing some of my resources from the conference.

Take time to Reflect
- Think back and reflect on your conference experience. Start by making a list of the sessions you attended. The Conference App can be very helpful in remembering the sessions that you attended. Consider the following questions: Which sessions did you really enjoy? Which sessions left you wanting to know more? Is there anything that you experienced that you don’t understand?

Sort Your New Resources
- After reflecting on your experience, take time to sort all of the wonderful things that you brought home from your sessions.
- Make sure to save presenter documents to your Google Drive so that you can continue to look back on them. -
- Review the information that you collected from vendors and decide which ones to connect with or are interested in following up with for more information or trials.
- Check out summer staff development opportunities or teacher groups you are interested in exploring further.

Follow Up to Create Connections
- The connections that you make with your fellow educators are probably the most beneficial part of being a part of TXCSS. Take the time to follow up with people you met or presenters you saw by reaching out via email, social media and foster opportunities for learning along with creating a support system of people that can help you along the way.

Share with Others

After you have had time to think and organize your resources, consider sharing your new learning with your teammates, school or with your district. By sharing your learning or resources with others, you are able to increase everyone's capacity to help students reach their potential.
Here are some resources from the conference including my presentation:

Commit to Trying Something New
- In the end, the students are the ones that benefit most from the learning and knowledge teachers bring back to the classroom from the conference. Choose one new idea from the conference that you are willing to commit to trying in your classroom. The attempt may not come out perfect, but in trying something new you expose your students to the idea that it is okay to fail as long as you are committed to moving forward.

TXCSS Award Winners

Please join TXCSS in congratulating our 2022 Special Awards Winners.

NOVA Award recipient
- Charles Lawson, Denton ISD
Outstanding Elementary Teachers of the Year
- Meagan Dowgar, Lubbock ISD
Betty Barringer Middle School Outstanding Teacher of the Year
- Elizabeth Howson, Belton ISD
Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year
- Susan Locklear, Pasadena ISD
Outstanding Higher Education Faculty Award
- Dr. Susan Nix, Adjunct for Lubbock Christian University
Billy Sills Distinguished Service Award
- Erika Lowery, Retired from Denton ISD
Gilder-Lehrman 2022 Texas History Teacher of the Year
- Elizabeth Howson, North Belton MS, Belton ISD

Stephen Johnson Student Scholarship

TXCSS awards two $2000 scholarships intended for graduating high school or college students pursuing a career teaching social studies. Apply by Feb. 12.

Recipients:

Bethany Gamez // Lubbock Christian University
Brooke Schocke // Azle High School

Stalwart Mini Grants

Intended for continuing education in social studies, TXCSS awards up to four (4) $500 teacher mini-grants each year. Apply by June 1.

Recipients:

Mary Bailey // Stalwart Grant Recipient // Big Sandy High School
Dr. Anita L. Lewis // Stalwart Grant Recipient // University of Houston-Clear Lake and Clear Creek ISD

To learn more about nominating a colleague for an award visit website or contact:

AndaLee Seat

awards@txcss.net

Thank you to #TXCSS2022 Sponsor - Education in Action!

Visit Education in Action

La Estrella is published four times a year to provide our community with timely information and opportunities related to social studies education in Texas. The contents of La Estrella are not copyrighted unless indicated. It is appropriate, however, to credit sources as well as La Estrella when reproducing items from this e-newsletter. Reproduction for profit is prohibited.