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District Reports
District 2—Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Homes, Jackson, Liberty, Washington Counties
As a new member of the FCSS board and director for District 2, I’m trying to establish contacts with the other counties in this district so that I can communicate with their social studies teachers about the advantages of membership in FCSS, as well as provide information on training opportunities. I have also been working with the other district directors in District 1 to determine the feasibility of a drive in conference for next year. For my school district, I’m working on a plan for our annual summer inservices for Bay District social studies teachers. My preliminary thoughts include having a two day summer conference that hopefully will include a keynote speaker and breakout sessions provided by local social studies professors and educators on topics of interest to social studies teachers, like using primary sources, oral history, local archives, and teaching the election, etc. This conference, hopefully, would include exhibitors that display in conjunction with the different topics covered in the educational sessions and a booth where membership in FCSS is available.
Email contact: Richard Johnson at johnsrt@bay.k12.fl.us
District 3-- Dixie, Gadsden, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Madison, Taylor,
and Wakulla
Happy New Year District 3! I know that we are already in February, but
reminding myself that we are only 7 weeks into the New Year is some what
comforting. We are now officially a new district in FCSS. District 3
consists of Dixie, Gadsden, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Madison, Taylor,
and Wakulla. Most of us are rural schools in rural counties, and email is
our best form of communication. Please do not hesitate to email me at
murphyt@wakulla.k12.fl.us if you have any questions or concerns in regard
to FCSS. I would encourage you to watch the legislative process in
Tallahassee this year, as the FCSS Legislative Committee will be actively
working toward some type of legislative action on behalf of the social
studies. PLEASE CALL OR WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR SOCIAL STUDIES!!
Most of us realize that if the social studies are not included on the FCAT that
we do not seem to be considered as important in the academic arena. Also,
please check the FCSS website and note the opportunities available, especially
the grant money through the Endowment Committee.
Teresa Murphy –District 3
murphyt@wakulla.k12.fl.us
Wakulla High School
Social Studies
Distict 6—Alachua, Levy, Marion Counties
Information on all social studies awards for our district have been sent to all
social studies teachers in the district. We hope to have multiple
responses, soon. The TAH grant was awarded to Marion County last June.
The beginning date was July 2007. The program specialist was finally
hired last November, but in December the specialist resigned and a new one
was to be interviewed/hired at the end of January. No news on that as
yet. Marion County Social Studies Council will be meeting again soon to
work on TO, (Teacher of the Year Award). Any new information on Toy will
be discussed at the next meeting.
As I represent District 6 for FCSS, which includes Alachua County, Levy County and Marion County, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Ben.Saxon@marion.k12.fl.us
District 15—Lee County
At the beginning of the 2007-08 year Lee County had completed 17 pre-tests
that addressed most subject areas. In January another 4 pre-tests were
added for semester courses. The test bank of questions has been
established by the many teachers who have submitted questions. Our region
has also begun setting local arrangements for a drive in conference
scheduled for Spring 2009. A tentative title for the program is "The
Faces of New Florida." If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact me. I am the district representative for FCSS District15. [
mailtWilmaVL@LeeSchools.Net ]WilmaVL@LeeSchools.Net
District 17 Report –Broward County
Social Studies Teacher Wins Broward Teacher of the
Year Award and two other social studies teachers were among the 7 finalists!
Nicole Marsala, a Social Studies teacher at Coral Springs Middle School,
has a simple goal - all students will understand their civic
responsibilities in order to become better informed citizens and,
ultimately, future leaders. She believes in teaching history as a
breathtaking story that is full of intrigue, deceit, honor, and
independence. In Marsala's class, students learn that history is not only
what is in books. She teaches her students that history is alive and
changing and uses a variety of strategies in order to meet the diverse
needs of her students. Prior to this award Nicole was the statewide winner
of the Gilder Lehrman Florida History Teacher of the Year Award and the
Broward County/FCSS Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award.
Additionally two other Social Studies Teachers in Broward County were
among the 7 finalists for the school district: Davien P. Fernandez Jones,
Hallandale High School, and Dr. Helena Yeamen, College Academy at Broward
Community College.
Dr. Mark Quintana, District 17 Representative/Publications Coordinator
markquintana@browardschools.com
District 18—Miami-Dade
On February 1, 2008, over 100 social studies teachers attended the eighth
annual conference hosted by the Miami-Dade Council for the Social Studies.
"Social Studies Education: Where Learning is Natural" was held at Deering
Estate a historical landmark. Participants had the opportunity to attend
various workshops covering a wide range of social studies topics as well as
tour the Estate. A special thank you is extended to The Deering Estate for
hosting the event and to Prentice Hall for contributing a $250 gift certificate
for the end of the day drawing. It was a wonderful venue for learning and sharing
with other social studies teachers. The local council now has almost 100 members
and will continue to encourage membership in FCSS as well as NCSS. Please
contact me if you have any questions or concerns, rstuck@dadeschools.net
Regina Stuck
Jessica Ceballos
Tom Glaser
Middle School At-Large Report--February 2008
If you have kept your ears pealed for the upcoming Social Studies revisions, you know that some middle schools face major changes. Recommendations include a 6th grade focus on World History, an introduction to Civics in the 7th grade, while 8th grade will continue to teach U.S. History. Geography will be integrated throughout the Social Studies curriculum. These recommendations have not been set in stone…yet. This spring will be our opportunity to review and comment on the revisions.
Spring is a great time to pay it forward. Consider nominating an outstanding Social Studies teacher for your district’s FCSS Teacher of the Year Award. Or consider applying for one of the other professional awards offered through FCSS.
Virginia Parra----Middle School At Large
Virginia.Parra@marion.k12.fl.us
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