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Mark your Calendars and register for three great events!
The Promise of Liberty--One Day Teacher Seminar Peoria Riverfront Museum June 8, 2026 Civil War Museum Teacher Seminar Kenosha Wisconsin Friday, August 7, 2025 and National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference Chicago, IL December 4-6, 2026 Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Registration
Members, $25 Non-members, $50 Every Student Initiative, Complimentary registration Professional Development Credit: Yes The Illinois Council for the Social Studies is proud to partner with the Peoria Riverfront Museum for a one-day teacher seminar in which participants will have a behind-the-scenes look at the once-in-a-lifetime The Promise of Liberty exhibit by Ken Burns. REGISTER HERE FOR THE PROMISE OF LIBERTY ONE DAY TEACHER SEMINAR Explore some of the most significant documents and objects in US History, curated by Ken Burns. This one-day seminar provides educators with the opportunity to interact with museum experts and curriculum designers to maximize this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit. Join ICSS and the Peoria Riverfront Museum for this rare opportunity to engage with US history, up close. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. Professional Development Credit is offered. The exhibition features some of the most significant documents and objects in U.S. history, including: *A 1776 edition of the Declaration of Independence *The first printing of the United States Constitution *Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington *George Washington’s famed “To Bigotry No Sanction” letter, articulating a radical vision of religious freedom *A Constitutional Convention cover letter emphasizing the necessity of compromise *A presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation championing education and science *A copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech, expanding on the founding documents as a “promissory note” for all Americans *The Mitchell Map, used during the Treaty of Paris to define the boundaries of the newly independent United States *A rare life mask of George Washington, one of only two known casts taken directly from life in 1785 *Meriwether Lewis’s 1814 tomahawk, carried during the expedition that reshaped the nation’s future Civil War Museum Teacher Seminar Friday, August 7 | 9:00am – 3:30pm | $50 | Register for the Seminar Check-in begins at 8:30am Join the Kenosha Civil War Museum staff and guest speakers for an engaging and informative seminar that dives into creative and immersive ways to utilize history education resources from your community to your classroom. The price of the seminar includes coffee and kringle, a guided tour, four guest speaker sessions, catered lunch, and professional development credits (Illinois educators only). KUSD Educators: Apply for a scholarship to attend the seminar. Seminar Schedule8:30am | Seminar check-in 9:00am | Seminar begins 9:10am-9:45am | “Things Your History Teacher Didn’t Teach You”, presented by Judge Derek Mosley 9:45am | Break 10:00am-10:50am | Guided tour of the Civil War Museum’s main exhibit, “The Fiery Trial” 10:50am-11:15am | View 360-degree film, “Seeing the Elephant” 11:15am-12:15pm | Enjoy a catered lunch and free time 12:15am-1:15pm | Educator session presented by Dr. Benjamin Wellenreiter, Associate Professor of Middle Level Education at Illinois State University and Executive Director of Illinois Council for the Social Studies 1:15pm-2:15pm | “My Indepedence Day”, performed by Dr. Shannon Sloan-Spice 2:15pm-2:30pm | Break 2:30pm-3:30pm | Educator session presented by Chuck Taft, 8th Grade American Studies History Teacher at University School of Milwaukee and President of Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies 3:30pm | Seminar ends Cancellations and Refunds A full refund will be issued if the Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, or Civil War Museum cancels a workshop or camp. All refunds requested within 72 hours of the program are subject to a $10 processing fee. No refunds are offered on or after the day a workshop or camp begins. Class cancellations can happen if enrollment minimums are not met two days prior to the event. You will be contacted via phone or email if your event is canceled. If unforeseen circumstances (i.e. weather, power outages, instructor illness) occur within 72 hours of the workshop or camp and the program must be canceled, the museum will do its best to reschedule or provide a voucher to take a program of a similar or same cost. Click here to join ICSS
1. Stay current on what’s new in social studies education! 2. Make social studies contacts across the state:
3. Receive new materials through -
4. Learn about professional grants, fellowships, and conferences. 5. Obtain help with the textbook evaluation and selection process by meeting with major publishers at the ICSS Fall and Spring Conferences. |
Congratulations to the
2026 ICSS Executive Board Members! President
Andy Levin Harper College President Elect Theresa Coomer Paw Paw CUDS 271 Vice-President William Gunn Lincolnwood High School Secretary Jacquelyn Benchik-Osborne Chicago State University Website Communications Dave McMullen Bradley University Treasurer Jessica Toran Naper Settlement Historian Megan VanGorder Illinois State University 9-12 Grade Representative John Bierbaum Normal West High School 9-12 Grade Representative Ryan D’Arcy Bond County high School 9-12 Grade Representative Kathleen Mahoney Lake View High School 6-8 Grade representative Brandon West Altamont Lutheran Interparish School 6-8 Grade representative Lauren Brown Oak Park 6-8 Grade representative vacant 3-5 Grade Representative Vacant 3-5 Grade Representative Vacant 3-5 Grade Representative Vacant Pre-K-2nd Grade Representative Vacant Pre-K-2nd Grade Representative Vacant Pre-K-2nd Grade Representative vacant Higher Education Representative Jay Bickford Eastern Illinois University Higher Education Representative Fred Isele Higher Education Representative Bill Waychunas Bradley University At Large Representative Crystal Johnson Chicago History Museum At Large Representative Olivia Leiby At Large Representative Executive Director Ben Wellenreiter Illinois State University ICSS Constitution Revision
ICSS membership approved the revised Constitution. This revision will increase representation across grade levels, special interest groups, and subject areas. The new Constitution can be found here. |