Outstanding Elementary, Middle Level, or Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year

The Teacher of the Year awards recognize social studies teachers who have made outstanding contributions through her exceptional teaching in K-6, 5-8, or 7-12. Committee members evaluate nominations and forward the results to the Committee chair. Communications are through e-mail and/or telephone. Members are asked to make a reasonable effort to attend the award winner session, awards presentation, and assist the Committee chair when need arises during the review or at the NCSS conference.

Eligibility

NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to apply for the corresponding grade level committee. Familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desirable. Previous recipients of NCSS or state council teacher of the year awards are especially encouraged to apply.

Award for Global Understanding

The Award for Global Understanding recognizes a social studies educator or team of educators who have made notable contributions in helping social studies students increase their understanding of the world.

Eligibility

NCSS members who are current or previous elementary, middle, secondary level social studies teachers, administrators, teacher education faculty, and/or consultants with a familiarity with the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies are eligible to serve on the Award for Global Understanding selection committee. Global/multicultural education practitioners or specialists and previous recipients of the award are encouraged to apply.

Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy

The Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy recognizes an exemplary program of geographic education that encourages the integration of geography into the social studies curriculum/classroom and enhances the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district or state level.

Eligibility

NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants are eligible to serve on this committee. Experience with program, curriculum or teacher evaluation, a background as a geography education practitioner or specialist;and familiarity with National Geography Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies is desired.

Carter G. Woodson Book Awards

The Carter G. Woodson Book Awards recognize elementary, middle level, and secondary outstanding social science books appropriate for young readers and young adult readers which depict race-ethnicity in the U.S. Committee members evaluate all nominated books. Committee members may be asked to assist with award-winning book author presentation sessions, awards presentation, and book signings at the NCSS Annual Conference.

Eligibility

NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants who are one or more of the following are eligible to serve on the committee:

• ethnic studies practitioners or specialists;
• classroom teachers who use children’s/young people’s literature in social studies instruction;
• reviewers of children/young people literature.

Septima Clark Book Awards

First presented in 2019, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to women's issues sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to women’s issues and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. Committee members may be asked to assist with award-winning book author presentation sessions, awards presentation, and book signings at the NCSS Annual Conference.

Eligibility

NCSS members who are current or previous social studies educators elementary, administrators, teacher education faculty, or consultants who are one or more of the following are eligible to serve on the committee:

• ethnic studies practitioners or specialists;
• classroom teachers who use children’s/young people’s literature in social studies instruction;
• reviewers of children/young people literature.