NCCSS 365
Proposals, Elections, Professional Development and More!
Greetings Educators,
As the crisp autumn air settles across North Carolina and the school year moves into a steady, purposeful rhythm, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work happening in your classrooms. October is a vibrant and pivotal month for social studies educators. With election season underway, historical milestones are framing our present, and civics is in action all around us, you are guiding students through the real-world application of history, government, and society every single day. Our work as educators goes far beyond the textbook—you are actively shaping informed, thoughtful citizens and critical thinkers.
The North Carolina Council for the Social Studies (NCCSS) remains dedicated to supporting you all year long through our NCCSS365 initiative. As we dive deeper into the semester, we are excited to highlight several key updates and opportunities for October:
Annual Conference Proposals: Planning is well underway for our return to Winston-Salem on March 4–5, 2027! Session proposals are officially open. We invite you to share your innovative lesson plans, strategies, and expertise with fellow educators from across the state.
Awards & Nominations: Do you know an exceptional educator or student teacher? Nominations and applications for our annual awards, teacher grants, and scholarships (with upcoming deadlines at the end of the month) are open. Take a moment to recognize the hard work of a deserving colleague or yourself!
Professional Development: Join us for our upcoming NCCSS365 virtual webinars and professional development sessions designed to support your teaching toolkit, enhance civic engagement, and navigate classroom discussions.
Board Elections & Leadership: Interested in taking a deeper leadership role in our state council? Information regarding upcoming board elections and candidate declarations is now available.
Thank you for your tireless passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to North Carolina's students. May your October be filled with inspiring classroom discussions, curiosity, and renewed energy!
Warm regards,
Tyler Daughtry
President, North Carolina Council for the Social Studies
Our theme is "ONE STATE + MANY VOICES: Growing Social Studies from Manteo to Murphy". This is your chance to share your innovative lesson plans, best practices, and diverse perspectives with colleagues from across the state.
Whether you’re teaching in a cozy mountain valley, a thriving urban center or a quiet town along the coast, we want to hear your voice! Help us grow Social Studies across North Carolina at the 2027
Save the Date: March 4-5, 2027
Location: Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Submit your presentation proposal here: https://nccss2027.sched.com/
More information can be found at:
Are you passionate about advocating for history, civics, geography, and economics in our schools? The North Carolina Council for the Social Studies (NCCSS) is looking for dedicated educators and leaders to serve on our Executive Board!
Running for an NCCSS leadership role gives you the opportunity to:
Advocate for social studies educators and students statewide.
Guide the vision and planning of our annual state conference.
Connect with a passionate network of educators dedicated to civic empowerment.
Whether you're interested in running for Vice President, Treasurer, or a Board Member position, your voice can make a lasting impact.
Nominate an Outstanding Educator or Apply for an NCCSS Award!
The North Carolina Council for the Social Studies (NCCSS) is proud to recognize exceptional educators, student teachers, and high school seniors across our state through our annual awards and scholarships—including the Three Teacher of the Year Awards (Elementary, Middle, High) Student Teacher of the Year, Rho Kappa Scholarship, and the Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Excellence in Teaching Award.
NEW THIS YEAR: Apply for a First-Time Scholarship to attend the NCCSS Annual Conference! Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate excellence in social studies education or join us at the conference.
The National Geography Bee is back for its second year. After a successful inaugural championship, with approximately 6,000 competitors from around the country, the tournament is back for the 2026-2027 year—and we want you to participate!
Here at National Geography Bee, we’re committed to celebrating and inspiring curiosity in students. Our competitions are designed to be fun and interdisciplinary, demonstrating to students how geography connects with their own lives. We have competitions for middle schools and high schools, and we’re committed to spreading our work to schools around the country.
Sign your school up today at nationalgeobee.org/register to get the early-bird registration discount! If you have any questions, be sure to check out the tournament guide at nationalgeobee.org/guidelines
