Solidarity in Social Studies – the theme of the 101st National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference is one that speaks to the times in which we live. In 1981 as a young college student, I had the good fortune to meet and listen to young members of the Solidarność, (Solidarity) movement that ultimately helped to topple the Communist regime of Poland in 1989. The impact of that meeting would be long lasting. The power of people coming together to fight injustice, inequality, racism, homophobia, sexism, and ignorance has a long history in this country – and around the world. As Lech Walesa the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and leader of Solidarność, said; “The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience.”

We have an opportunity to come together once again in Minneapolis on November 19-21, 2021, to support each other in solidarity. While the decision to have our conference in Minneapolis was made years in advance, it is indeed even more important that we gather to show our support to a city that has been at the forefront of so many of the challenges facing education, social studies educators, and the nation. NCSS is poised to present a conference that will bring together educators, authors, passionate individuals, students, and those that are ready to celebrate the first century of NCSS, and ready to lead as we begin our second century.

As you join us in Minneapolis, these sub-themes that help to tie the conference together are:

• Arts and Social Studies 
• Young Learners and Social Studies
• The Americas – Many lands, many peoples
• Beyond the Core: Diversity in Social Studies
• Human Rights: The Dignity of the Individual

Throughout the conference, there are unique opportunities to engage with these important ideas that will help to strengthen social studies education in classrooms across the country and beyond. The sessions selected represent the hundreds of submissions to the conference and were chosen to further the vision of “Solidarity in Social Studies” beyond the classroom. Social studies educators need the resources and tools necessary to help address the myriad of challenges that are faced every day in classrooms. The list of keynote and featured speakers, along with special sessions will provide a wide range of interest – including a naturalization ceremony where NCSS will help to welcome new United States citizens. Please keep checking back to www.socialstudies.org/conference to find out exactly who will be joining us in November. 

NCSS is excited to once again partner with the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) and the American Bar Association (ABA) as they are both co-locating their national conferences with ours. One registration fee gives participants the ability to attend sessions that have been organized specially with geography and law-related education topics in mind. We hope by attending the conference you will find a wide variety of topics and sessions that will keep you thinking and engaged for your time in Minneapolis. The College and University Faculty Association (CUFA), the National Social Studies Supervisors Association (NSSSA), the Council of State Social Studies Supervisors (CS4), and the International Assembly (IA) will all be holding their meetings and conferences in Minneapolis in the days leading up to the NCSS conference; so be sure to also register for one of those as well.

It is true that no national conference can be a success without the support of the local state affiliate. The Minnesota Council for the Social Studies (MCSS) has been looking forward to this conference for some time and the excitement, dedication, and warmth of everyone associated with MCSS has been truly one of the great joys in planning the conference. Remember that by coming to the conference, participants gain access to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul! Both cities have a treasure of museums, cultural and historic landmarks, restaurants, breweries, and a vibrant nightlife, just in case your time in the sessions was not enough to keep you going! There are several exciting excursions planned throughout the conference to help you better understand the uniqueness of the Twin Cities – especially considering the importance they played recently in our national debate of racial equity, diversity, and tolerance. 

Elections, social unrest, insurrections, pandemics, vaccinations, online teaching, hybrid teaching, in-person teaching, economic uncertainty, educator burn-out, politicians attempting to limit academic freedom – the last few years have been and continue to challenge social studies educators across the country. Those events lead me to believe that we as social studies educators need to stand together in support of our students, and importantly each other. As I had said in my speech before the 2018 NCSS House of Delegates; “We… need to stand together in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, demanding that social studies education be treated with dignity, respect and with equality.” I am excited that we get to meet once again for the 101st NCSS Annual Conference in Minneapolis. Please be sure to register today and I will see you in November!