Inspiring Connections at WCSS 25: Making Social Studies Matter
By Sarah Screnock, GDG Educational Ambassador
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference (WCSS 25) in Madison, WI. As someone deeply committed to Global Doing Good’s mission of creating positive change through education, I found this two-day event to be an invigorating mix of innovative ideas, engaging presentations, and genuine community spirit. With the theme “Making Social Studies Matter,” every session reminded us that social studies isn’t just a subject—it’s a pathway to understanding our past, engaging with the present, and building a more connected future.
A Dynamic Gathering of Educators
From the moment I arrived, the energy was palpable. Educators, administrators, and advocates across Wisconsin converged with one common goal: reimagining how social studies and civic learning can empower students to become active, engaged citizens. The conference was filled with discussions on historical inquiry, critical analysis of primary sources, and innovative teaching methods. Every conversation reaffirmed the power of education as a catalyst for social change.
What the Civics Fellows Value is Essential
During my time at the conference, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with some of the Civics Fellows—a cohort of dedicated classroom teachers selected from all regions of Wisconsin by the Department of Public Instruction and Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs). Their mission is to facilitate high-quality professional development in civic education. They are experts in Wisconsin’s new Civic Education scope and sequence, curating freely available, trusted resources, and delivering training to reach between 500 and 750 teachers statewide. Their passion and commitment left a lasting impression as they outlined what is essential for fostering excellence in civic literacy and engagement:
- Engaged Citizenship: Ensuring that every student learns to consume information critically, participate in civil discourse at all levels, understand and contribute to governmental processes and see themselves as essential members of their communities.
- Robust Support for Educators: Equipping all schools and educators with the resources and support necessary to foster excellence in civic literacy and engagement.
- Empowered Stakeholders: Collaborating among educators, families, community leaders, and policymakers to support the civic mission of schools and provide civic engagement opportunities to students of all ages.
I was genuinely excited to hear their vision—it aligns perfectly with ours at Global Doing Good.
Empowering Teachers and Students Through The Benjamin Project
Inspired by the Civics Fellows’ initiatives, I was thrilled to share how Global Doing Good actively supports this vital work through The Benjamin Project. This tool is designed to give educators a practical resource to spark civic learning and to empower students to be active, engaged members of their communities. I was delighted that the Civics Fellows immediately added Global Doing Good and The Benjamin Project to their toolbox of resources for teachers. Their enthusiasm confirmed that this project can help amplify their efforts in classrooms across Wisconsin.
At Global Doing Good, The Benjamin Project is our way of ensuring every teacher has access to the strategies and materials needed to drive civic engagement. We hope this resource will ignite passion and enable educators to turn theory into practice, ultimately inspiring students to become active change makers in their communities.
Reflections on WCSS 25
WCSS 25 was more than just a conference—it was a celebration of the power of education to spark social change. Every keynote, workshop, and conversation reinforced why social studies is essential to our educational fabric. It’s about understanding the human experience and inspiring the next generation to engage thoughtfully with the challenges of our world.
For all of us at Global Doing Good, events like WCSS 25 reaffirm that our work is deeply interconnected with the broader educational community. The ideas exchanged, the connections made, and the passion for creating dynamic curricula continue to fuel our collective efforts to promote social good.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the enriching experiences from WCSS25, I am excited to integrate these fresh insights into our initiatives at Global Doing Good. Whether exploring new methods for civic engagement or rethinking social studies curricula, the lessons learned from the Civics fellows and other inspiring educators will undoubtedly help us empower students to become informed citizens and true change makers.
This conference and my conversations with the Civics Fellows were powerful reminders of the transformative impact that passionate educators can have on their communities. I look forward to continuing this journey, sharing innovative ideas, and providing teachers with tools, like The Benjamin Project, to ensure civic learning remains a cornerstone of our education system.
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