Welcome to the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies
The Oklahoma Council for Social Studies is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and professional development to all social studies educators in Oklahoma. We welcome you to join, share effective teaching ideas, and participate fully in our organization. Enjoy the resources here, as well! We hope to meet you, in person, at our annual state conference each fall!
The Oklahoma Council for Social Studies is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and professional development to all social studies educators in Oklahoma. We welcome you to join, share effective teaching ideas, and participate fully in our organization. Enjoy the resources here, as well! We hope to meet you, in person, at our annual state conference each fall!
Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies 2025 Officers
President
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Heather Goodenough
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Broken Arrow Public Schools
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Message From Our President
Educator, author, and speaker, Tom Driscoll, once said, “If the world changed and you are not doing anything to prepare the kids, you are doing a disservice to them.” As we watch current events happening in our world unfold before our eyes, it is now more critical than ever that social studies become a more prevalent and highly regarded subject in our schools, classrooms, and homes. We, as a society, need to uphold democratic values during these tumultuous times and mold our students into civic-minded citizens.
Social Studies education incorporates essential life skills within the subject matter more than any other content area. We, as educators, must do our part in providing an objective lens, in order to allow our students to become informed, solution-minded problem-solvers. We must model appropriate discourse in the classroom and help students understand how media outlets can be responsible for encouraging damaging points of view and negative mindsets. We must show our future leaders that it is acceptable to disagree and still remain open-minded. We must teach students how to appropriately analyze information to ensure that they are citing a credible source. In all, we want to encourage Oklahoma students to be well-versed, knowledgeable, contributing citizens.
It is the goal of the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies to support all educators, regardless of training, background, or years of experience from all of Oklahoma’s regions. As our standards have shifted from rote-recall methodology to inquiry-based instruction, we want to provide the best support as you shape the minds of your students, as well as the shape of Oklahoma’s future.
Educator, author, and speaker, Tom Driscoll, once said, “If the world changed and you are not doing anything to prepare the kids, you are doing a disservice to them.” As we watch current events happening in our world unfold before our eyes, it is now more critical than ever that social studies become a more prevalent and highly regarded subject in our schools, classrooms, and homes. We, as a society, need to uphold democratic values during these tumultuous times and mold our students into civic-minded citizens.
Social Studies education incorporates essential life skills within the subject matter more than any other content area. We, as educators, must do our part in providing an objective lens, in order to allow our students to become informed, solution-minded problem-solvers. We must model appropriate discourse in the classroom and help students understand how media outlets can be responsible for encouraging damaging points of view and negative mindsets. We must show our future leaders that it is acceptable to disagree and still remain open-minded. We must teach students how to appropriately analyze information to ensure that they are citing a credible source. In all, we want to encourage Oklahoma students to be well-versed, knowledgeable, contributing citizens.
It is the goal of the Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies to support all educators, regardless of training, background, or years of experience from all of Oklahoma’s regions. As our standards have shifted from rote-recall methodology to inquiry-based instruction, we want to provide the best support as you shape the minds of your students, as well as the shape of Oklahoma’s future.
Stay Connected
The most recent information and ideas for implementing technology in the classroom will be posted on a regular basis via our OCSS Facebook page. Please join us there each week for the latest digital resources, online repositories, and teaching tips!
The most recent information and ideas for implementing technology in the classroom will be posted on a regular basis via our OCSS Facebook page. Please join us there each week for the latest digital resources, online repositories, and teaching tips!
Membership
The Oklahoma Council for the Social Studies membership is made of countless educators and beyond who have a passion for social studies. Membership in OCSS is currently free to all members. We are an affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies.
OCSS recognizes Oklahoma teachers each year by awarding teachers of year, rising star, service award, and the Mike Adkins Memorial Friend of Social Studies award. We invite all Oklahoma social studies educators to join our professional organization. Just complete and return the membership form below.
OCSS recognizes Oklahoma teachers each year by awarding teachers of year, rising star, service award, and the Mike Adkins Memorial Friend of Social Studies award. We invite all Oklahoma social studies educators to join our professional organization. Just complete and return the membership form below.
OCSS Board Meetings
Welcome OCSS Members! You are each cordially invited to upcoming Board Meetings. We need your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your assistance with future projects sponsored by your Council. Any OCSS member is welcome at all Board meetings! Contact the OCSS President for more information. Hope to see you there! Contact our President for information on the date and time of the next meeting.
Welcome OCSS Members! You are each cordially invited to upcoming Board Meetings. We need your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your assistance with future projects sponsored by your Council. Any OCSS member is welcome at all Board meetings! Contact the OCSS President for more information. Hope to see you there! Contact our President for information on the date and time of the next meeting.
Awards
This year at NCSS, the Oklahoma chapter was honored with the Excellence in Social Studies Advocacy and Leadership Award.
Affiliates
OCSS is fortunate to work collaboratively with affiliate organizations that offer a wealth of classroom resources to Oklahoma teachers. We appreciate their support and encourage you to visit their websites linked below. For more information regarding Affiliate Membership, click HERE.
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oklahoma First Amendment Congress Oklahoma Heritage Association National Council for Geographic Education Oklahoma Historical Society Center for Civic Education Constitutional Rights Foundation |
Freedom Forum National Geographic Society Library of Congress Colonial Williamsburg National Archives and Records Administration Organization of American Historians Oklahoma Institute for Teaching East Asia Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City |
Mike Adkins Memorial "Friend of Social Studies" Award
In remembrance of a fellow educator, OCSS dedicates the Friend of Social Studies Award to Mr. Mike Adkins. Mike was a true renaissance man blessed with many talents, which he shared generously. He was an artist and illustrator, an actor, an author, a living history re-enactor, but most of all- he was a teacher. His accomplishments are many; in 1988 he was named Oklahoma's teacher of the year and was recognized as one of the top five teachers in America. He received the Freedom Foundation Award from the Valley Forge Foundation and a lifetime achievement for the Greatest Contribution to Social Studies by the Close-up Foundation. He taught public school in the Moore district for 26 years before becoming the Director of Education for the Oklahoma History Center. He has enriched not only his OCSS friends, but also the thousands of people that he came into contact with throughout his career. Clara Luper Memorial Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Teaching Award is now renamed in honor of Oklahoma social studies educator and civil rights pioneer, Ms. Clara Luper. Clara Luper was an advocate of young people and a role model of civic engagement during her over 40-year career in high school social studies classes. In her community, her state, and the nation, Ms. Luper was directly involved in efforts to desegregate public accommodations and bring equity in economic opportunities for all Oklahomans.
Learn more about Ms. Luper's career in the classroom and beyond; download the 2018 Awards Presentation below. 
Friends of Social Studies Award Recipients
Kelly Curtright, Oklahoma State Department of Education - 2009 Rita Geiger, Norman Public Schools (retired*) - 2010 Mary Oppegard, Oklahoma Baptist University (retired*) - 2011 William Sutton, Mid-Del Public Schools - 2012 Pamela Merrill, Edmond Public Schools - 2013 Eugene Earsom, Oklahoma Alliance for Geographic Education - 2014 Jane McConnell, Oklahoma Bar Association Law Releated Education - 2015 Lyndal Caddell, Noble Public Schools -2016 Ann Kennedy, Oklahoma City Public Schools- 2017 Sandy Bahan, Norman Public Schools- 2018 Brenda Beymer-Chapman 2019 | ||||