THE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER! FINISH STRONG, AND START THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT RACE!

You can see it! The finish line is in sight. We’re in the homestretch. The marathon of the school year is now in sprint mode. Countdown calendars, end-of-year projects, distracting (but very much appreciated) spring weather, and of course, students asking, “Do we have anything left to do?”

But if you’ve ever run a race (or watched others run a race while eating popcorn, like me), you know the final stretch isn’t where you coast. The final stretch is where you dig in. May is a great time to try something new or bring a fresh spark into your teaching—maybe an idea from WCSS26 or a recent PD. There’s still a lot that can be done before you send your “runners” across the finish line.

These final weeks are a chance to reinforce learning, build connections, and reflect on what you’ll carry into next year. Because as we near the end of this race, we’re also getting ready for the start of the next one.



Chuck Taft, WCSS President

OUR MAY NEWSLETTER LINEUP!

THE NEW WCSS MENTORING PROGRAM

AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES RESOURCES AND PD FROM DPI

HERC FELLOWS APPLICATION AND SUMMER INSTITUTE

JAHM WORKSHOPS AND MATERIALS FROM ICS

AMERICA 250 SUMMER WORKSHOP IN MADISON

FREE SUMMER GRADUATE COURSE - BUT APPLY BY MAY 1!

AMERICA 250 GREEN BAY WORKSHOP - WITH STIPEND!

NEW WCSS MENTORING PROGRAM

SIGN UP FROM THE MENTOR MINUTE!

WCSS is proud to support Brittany Chikowski and Courtney Morris and they lead a new Social Studies Mentoring Program. As a start, their "Mentor Minute" will be a monthly newsletter to support beginning and early-career social studies teachers. Each edition includes classroom resources, teaching ideas & tips, highlighted resources, and more! The first issue comes out this August. The goal of the program is to help new social studies teachers feel supported, connected, and equipped with practical resources as they begin their careers. Check out the first edition of the Mentor Minute, and make sure you sign-up for future newsletters!

WI ACT 31

AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES RESOURCES AND WORKSHOPS WITH DAVID O'CONNOR

David O'Connor, Education Consultant for the American Indian Studies Program shared these recently released publications that can support your school and/or district's endeavors in enhancing your American Indian Studies Program. Each red link is clickable.

• American Indian Studies Enduring Understandings: A Resource for K-12 Educators  (2025)
• District Self-Evaluation Tool on American Indian Studies (WISCONSIN ACT 31) (2025)
• Tribal Sovereignty and Government of the First Nations of Wisconsin (2025)
• Lessons for K-12
• At-A-Glance spreadsheet with an overview, driving questions, learning targets, and standards alignment for each lesson
• Infographic: First Nations of Wisconsin Government Structure
• Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report(s)
• Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report (2026)…will be released in May 2026.
• Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report (2014)
• Wisconsin Act 31 Survey Report (2000)

In addition, here are three upcoming training opportunities, including the annual institute in Hsyward in July!

• CESA 12 American Indian Studies: Implementing Wisconsin Act 31 Virtual Training Workshop | 6/16/2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• CESA 9 American Indian Studies: Implementing Wisconsin Act 31 Virtual Training Workshop | 6/17/2026 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 30th Annual Wisconsin American Indian Studies Summer Institute Hayward, Wisconsin | 7/20/2026 - 12:00 p.m. to 7/24/2026 - 1:00 p.m.

HERC ANNOUNCES HERC FELLOWS APPLICATION AND SUMMER INSTITUTE

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND CURRICULUM FOR JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Jewish American Heritage Month( JAHM) is kicking off in May! In honor of JAHM, ICS will offer special professional learning opportunities and curriculum to highlight Jewish American history and impact.

May 6, 2026 | 6-7PM EST : A Toast to JAHM

May 13, 2026 | 6-7PM EST: A Toast to JAHM

Check out the ICS collection of Jewish Americans Mini Lessons

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

THE PBS WI EDUCATION AMERICA AT 250 EDUCATOR SUMMIT

WCSS is proud to be a partner in the PBS Wisconsin Education America at 250 Educator Summit, on August 5-6, 2026! 

Join PBS Wisconsin Education, WCSS, the Wisconsin Civil Learning Coalition, and the Wisconsin Historical Society for an outstanding program in Madison in August. Participants will ...

• Discover trusted, ready-to-go resources for teaching around America’s 250th anniversary
• Explore strategies for engaging students in civics and understand our nation’s past, present, and future
• Connect and learn with peers and education organizations

FREE GRADUATE COURSE

BUT REGISTER NOW! (BY MAY 1)

This summer, Dr. Michelle Schwarze of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will offer "The American Idea: Politics, Freedom, and Conflict" through the Graduate Consortium. In this course, students will trace the evolution of American political thought from the colonial era through the Civil War, examining how promises of liberty, equality, and democracy took shape and collided in practice by reading and assessing primary sources. For the class, students will discuss the readings, think about using primary sources in their classrooms, and complete a final curricular project. 

This is a free, 3-credit, synchronous, virtual graduate course that is only open to Wisconsin teachers. It will run from July 20th - August 7th, and course meetings are Monday-Friday, 1pm-3pm CT.  Questions? Please contact Moyra Eatonat meaton@gojmc.org.

AMERICA 250: THE ECONOMIC THOUGHT OF THE FOUNDERS

A GREEN BAY PD EXTRAVAGANZA!

Economics Wisconsin and the Robert M. Plaster Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University are proud an amazing professional development opportunity that integrates economics, civics, and history. Not only does this experience offer engaging pedagogy and high quality instructional materials, but travel stipends are included as well!