Social Studies 

Presenters: Sean Conlon & Christine Massaro

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

The upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11 offers a meaningful opportunity for schools to remember and teach about an event that our students - and at this point, even some of our teachers - were not alive for and only experienced and know as a historical event. 

This two-day workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their own understandings of 9/11 and consider how to best commemorate and teach about the day in age-appropriate ways across classrooms in grades 3-12. 

Day 1: Participants will explore and discuss a variety of 9/11 artifacts, resources, teaching ideas, and instructional techniques, and be introduced to the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) as a strategy for creating inquiry-based mini-units. 

Day 2: Participants will visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to further explore 9/11 artifacts and history, and be given a guided historical tour by curator Christine Massaro (NVOT) and then have time to begin to create their own 9/11-focused IDM inquiries, leaving the workshop with deeper knowledge and a plan to commemorate and teach about the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in their own classrooms.

*Note: Participants are responsible for their own transportation and costs. Timing of the Day 2 visit is TBD.

Presenter: Damon Affinito

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades 5-12

How did General George Washington use March 17 as an opportunity to increase soldier morale during the American Revolution? Why did Southerners refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving for much of the Nineteenth Century? What were the ebbs and flows of Juneteenth celebrations throughout the Twentieth Century? How did one of the largest hangings in American history and a violent strike lead to the creation of new federal holidays?

 "Holiday History" will examine the social, cultural, political, and religious forces that shaped five distinctly American holidays: St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Juneteenth, Columbus Day, and Labor Day. Through interactive discussions and examination of primary sources, this workshop will increase historical knowledge and will provide classroom resources for history teachers.

Presenter: Jeff Krapels

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12

In this transformative workshop, participants will learn how to integrate writing into social studies curricula to engage students in the authentic work of historians. Teachers will explore strategies to help students develop insightful questions, plan inquiries, and gather and evaluate diverse sources. Additionally, educators will learn effective methods of assessment to measure student progress and build on interdisciplinary skills, enhancing both critical thinking and communication abilities. By guiding students in constructing evidence-based arguments and engaging in civil discourse, this workshop empowers teachers to provide opportunities for students to connect historical and contemporary issues, preparing them for active, informed citizenship in a democratic society.

Presenter: Jessica Cappdona

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-5

Did you know that Asian Americans have been part of New Jersey’s story for over 250 years—including fighting in the Revolutionary War and building powerful movements of solidarity and resistance? In this interactive workshop, middle and high school educators will explore the rich and diverse contributions of Asian Americans across the Garden State.

This workshop is tailored to middle and high school teachers, equipping them with practical strategies and a wealth of resources to seamlessly incorporate AAPI history and NJ’s Asian American history, into their social studies lessons. Educators will use AAPI histories and narratives to discover innovative ways to align their lessons with NJ learning standards. They will have the opportunity to collaborate, share their own curricular experiences, and reimagine their implementation.

*Note: This workshop is presented in partnership with Teach Asian American Stories

**Note: This is a 1/2-day session, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Presenter: Cathlin Goulding

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-5

This interactive workshop introduces elementary educators to Asian American histories and voices, highlighting stories, events, and contributions that resonate with younger learners. Participants will explore age-appropriate case studies, learn inclusive teaching strategies, and leave with classroom-ready resources to thoughtfully integrate Asian American perspectives into social studies, literacy, and cross-curricular instruction.

*Note: This workshop is presented in partnership with Teach Asian American Stories

Presenter: Colleen Tambuscio

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-4 AND Grades 5-8

To support NJ's 1994 requirement on Holocaust instruction, the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education has released newly updated curriculum for grades K-12. In these separate grade-level sessions, teachers will learn how to implement materials that are grade-level appropriate. Additionally, teachers will be engaged in learning how the mandate can be met through interdisciplinary teaching in Language Arts and Social Studies. 

Teachers in the grades K-4 session will be exposed to materials that align with the goals of respecting oneself and others. These guiding principles allow students to understand the more complex history of the Holocaust and genocide in later grades.

Teachers in the grades 5-8 session will be exposed to effective strategies to introduce critical historical themes that challenge students to think deeply about fairness, belonging, and the human experience.

*Note: These are 1/2-day sessions, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

**Note: This workshop is presented in partnership with The NJ Commission on Holocaust Education and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Ramapo College

Presenter: Colleen Tambuscio

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades 9-12

To support NJ's 1994 requirement on Holocaust instruction, the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education has released newly updated curriculum for grades K-12. In this grades 9-12 session, teachers will learn how high school instruction can leverage the teaching of essential historical themes. Teachers will learn about the root causes, implications of, and possible responses to prejudice, hatred, discrimination, and stereotyping in many different historical and contemporary settings. Teachers will examine these themes and how to effectively implement these lessons in their courses.

*Note: This workshop is presented in partnership with The NJ Commission on Holocaust Education and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Ramapo College