Social Studies Teachers Rejoice

I remember when I was a social studies teacher at Mt. Vernon Township High School.  That's way back when we were on the Prairie State Exam.  Yes, social studies was on the state exam.  These days we test math, English/language arts and science but somewhere we were left out.  Was it because the social sciences such as history, civics, and economics were not important?  Of course not.  Our subject matter was just not a legislative priority and we didn't make the cut for state tests.  Don't feel left out fellow social studies teachers, it is time to rejoice.

Most of the legally required subjects to be taught in school are social studies topics.  It's true.  I remember being told this long ago when Dennis Overturf was mentoring myself and other student teachers at SIU Carbondale.  I just thought it was because he was proud to be a social studies teacher.  Years later when I began to study the School Code, I learned he was right.  I wondered back then if all these statutorily required units were the result of our legislature being frustrated with what students didn't know.  It is comforting that the law making process was executed to make sure kids learned about the Holocaust, the US Constitution and African-American history.  It seems that our lawmakers over time wanted our kids to have well-rounded social studies education experiences and I'm happy for it.

The fact that social studies has been de-emphasized on our standardized tests does not mean teaching social studies is not important.  Anyone could argue that it is more important now than ever.  As I watched the news a few night ago I wondered, what if Frank Hartman got to evaluate me teaching a lesson on fake news?  What if I had to evaluate a teacher trying to wade through the student debate and discussion over border control?  We live an a point in history that is unprecedented and will certainly re-write all of the textbooks we teach from (if we can afford them).  Social Studies teachers are incredibly important right now.  Not to tell kids how to vote or what party to belong to, but to move past asking them to memorize the preamble and start inspiring them to exercise it.



Look at the graphic above and you will see why great social studies teachers are pivotal right now.  In the general sense, we are talking about the issues but where is the action?  We need strong civics education now more than ever.  Some say the 2016 election is the result of not engaging students in civics and the democratic process.  While that is a matter of opinion, the fact that voter turnout remains low cannot be ignored.  There's no better way to prepare students for the real world like practice.  Providing students with opportunities for participation and simulations in democracy is a great way to engage our students in the process.  This is one of the essential missions of schools.  We have to make more citizens and preferably some that are informed and ready to participate.  So yes social studies teachers, you matter.  You will be the ones that inspire students through knowledge and practice to be our next voters and difference makers.  Social studies teachers, rejoice and embrace this role.