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Statement on History and Social Studies Education in Connecticut

WSP · Oct 20, 2020 ·

The Witness Stones Project is proud to join Connecticut historians, social studies professionals, and teachers in supporting the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies’ Statement on History and Social Studies Education in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Council‘s mission  is to advocate and build capacity for high-quality social studies by providing leadership, services, and support to educators.

 

A STATEMENT ON HISTORY AND  SOCIAL STUDIES

EDUCATION IN CONNECTICUT 

We are Connecticut historians, social studies professionals, and teachers, who steadfastly believe  in the importance of history as a guiding and transformative way to understand our nation’s  current political and cultural struggles.  

We are committed to helping both students and the public grasp the immense value and difficulty  of the American past.  

We have grown increasingly dismayed in recent weeks as history has been used more as a  political tool than a study of the past and a lesson for the future.  

We are concerned that the political and cultural challenges to America’s democracy are causing  some educators and schools to question the wisdom of engaging in political discussion, the  presidential election, and other issues that are deemed controversial.  

We know that history has never been more important than now, and we are committed to  exploring our past with one another, our students, and the public.  

We firmly believe that avoiding such conversations is a disservice to our students, the State of  Connecticut, and the United States. Historical inquiry should be the core of who we are as a  people.  

We therefore express support for Connecticut’s history and social studies professionals and  teachers, and pledge to stand by them in their efforts to educate our state’s youth.  

We commit to the American Historical Association’s September 23, 2020 Statement, that offers,  “To learn from our history we must confront it, understand it in all its messy complexity, and  take responsibility as much for our failures as our accomplishments.” 

We also support the National History Day belief that “The study of history demands critical  assessments of previous actions, decisions, and movements, for good or ill. Recognizing the  shortcomings of those who came before us is not anti-American, and teaching history is not an  act in public relations. Our nation’s teachers and schools must not stop with stories of American  successes and celebrations; change is impossible without challenge, and progress cannot be made without perspective.”

COMMITMENT TO CONNECTICUT’S HISTORY  AND SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATORS 

We pledge our support to all of Connecticut’s history and social studies educators in their effort to teach historical facts, assess evidence, and engage students in discussions about the past and  how it informs the present. 

We will work together to: 

∙ provide support for our educators and the public in multiple ways; 

∙ promote the importance of history/social studies inquiry among students, organizations, and the public 

∙ launch a virtual program focused on the importance and value of history, inquiry, and civics; 

∙ provide materials on teaching “hard history,” the political system, and the presidential elections; 

∙ work with our outstanding libraries, historical societies, and other groups to connect our students with the vibrant community and ideas that exists in Connecticut and which are committed to exploring our past and future; 

∙ and, aid in whatever way we can, the excellent educators that serve our State’s youth and citizenry on a daily basis. 

SIGNATORIES: 

Dr. David Blight, Professor of History, Yale University, Director, Gilder Lehrman Center

Dr. Mark Healy, Chairperson and Professor of History, University of Connecticut 

Dr. John Day Tully, Department Chairperson and Professor of History, Central Connecticut  State University 

Dr. Alan Marcus, Professor, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of  Connecticut  

Dr. Martha May, Department Chairperson and Professor of History, Western Connecticut State  University 

Dr. Kate McGrath, Professor of History, Central Connecticut State University 

Dr. Glenn Mitoma, Assistant Professor of Human Rights and Education and Department of  Curriculum & Instruction, University of Connecticut 

Allison Norrie, Educator, Fairfield Warde High School, and Vice President, Association for the  Study of Connecticut History

Dr. Jamel Ostwald, Chairperson and Professor of History, Eastern Connecticut State  University. 

Dr. Christine M. Petto, Chairperson and Professor of History, Chairperson of University  Honors Thesis Committee, Southern Connecticut State University 

Anthony Roy, President, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies, and Educator, Global  Experience Magnet School, Bloomfield, CT 

Thomas Thurston, Director of Education and Public Outreach, Gilder Lerhman Center, Yale  University 

Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History, Central Connecticut State University 

Dr. David Bosso, Educator, Berlin High School; Past President, Connecticut Council for the Social Studies; 2012 Connecticut Teacher of the Year  

Dennis Culliton, Executive Director of the Witness Stones Project and retired History Teacher from Guilford  

Alex Schwartz, Educator, Farmington Public Schools  

Donald R. Schels, Assoc. Principal, Wilton High School  

Joe O’Brien, Western Middle School, Greenwich, CT 

Shannon Andros, History Teacher, Norwich Free Academy

Nicole Catuccio, Social Studies Teacher, Enfield High School   

Ellen Swider, Assistant Professor and Certified History and Social Studies educator,  Goodwin University  

Carmen Coury, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History, Southern Connecticut State University 

Lorraine Dooley

Steve Amerman, Professor of History, Southern Connecticut State University 

Dr. Virginia Metaxas, Professor Emerita of History and Women’s Studies, Southern Connecticut State University  

Jason W. Smith, Assistant Professor of American History, Southern Connecticut State University  

Troy R. E. Paddock, Ph.D., Professor of Modern European History, Southern Connecticut State University

 

ORGANIZATIONAL SIGNATORIES: 

Connecticut Council for the Social Studies

The Witness Stones Project

 

 

Education #MilfordCT

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