Across the country, educators are preparing for the academic year. Schools will be filled with energy as new and familiar faces return to our classrooms. The start of the school year brings much excitement and anticipation for the educational journey ahead. Likewise, the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) kicks off its fiscal year with newly elected officers and board members. I am pleased to welcome Georgette Hackman, June Morris, Rebecca Valbuena, Annie Whitlock, and Jennifer Hansen (Ex-Officio, HOD Steering Committee Chair). I too am excited to serve NCSS members as the 2019-2020 NCSS President. The passion, commitment, and vision of our new board members coupled with our returning NCSS board members will continue to support the bold strategic priorities that NCSS has established for our organization, and in turn, our social studies profession. It is an honor to partner with the NCSS Board of Directors and the entire governance team and staff at NCSS as we strive to fulfill our vision of a world in which all students are educated and inspired for lifelong inquiry and informed civic action. 

As we celebrate the energy and enthusiasm of new NCSS board members, I also want to acknowledge the service of the NCSS Board of Directors who fulfilled their terms as of July 1, 2020. Thank you, Terry Cherry, Kimberly Heckart, Marjorie Hunter, Rhonda Watton, and Kristin Ayala (Ex-Officio, HOD Steering Committee Chair) for your tireless efforts and leadership on behalf of NCSS members and the field of social studies education. 

The NCSS Board of Directors and Staff are already working hard to advocate and build capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, services, and support to educators. Look for the many NCSS activities and opportunities in TSSP and other NCSS publications as well as position statements released throughout the year. Consider establishing a chapter of Rho Kappa National Studies Honor Society or Junior Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society and connect with colleagues on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RhoKappaNationalHonorSociety and Twitter @RhoKappaNCSS. Be sure to also follow NCSS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/socialstudies.org or Twitter @NCSSNetwork to keep up with all that is happening in social studies.