VJA Social Studies teacher helps elevate teaching across south suburbs

Thanks in large part to Andrew High School Division Chair for Social Studies, Foreign Language and Art Dr. Doug Kaufman, social studies teachers from across the south suburbs have opportunities to elevate their teaching skills. Kaufman helped form the South Suburban Social Studies Department Chair (SSSDC) group more than a decade ago and will host an area-wide all-day workshop October 17 with keynote speakers and more than one dozen presentations.

“We decided that we could do more than just talk about social studies-related topics and legislation and work together to provide teachers with a variety of opportunities for growth. I am pleased with the turnout; this year we will have approximately 45 teachers and administrators in attendance,” Kaufman said.

Two keynote speakers will start the day. First, Dr. Tracy Crump from Elmhurst College will discuss best practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice in the classroom. Next, veteran social studies teacher Chip Brady will discuss how to embed inquiry-based learning and writing into social studies classrooms. Teachers will then attend three separate breakout sessions, of their choosing, on a variety of topics ranging from different resources and simulations to use in the classroom as well as best practices. Teachers will earn professional development hours and learn new strategies for the classroom at a fraction of the cost of a typical professional development opportunity.

Four fellow District 230 teachers will present at the workshop. Andrew teacher Jeff Weber will present iCivics, which will provide a variety of instructional resources and simulations that can actively engage students in learning while covering essential content in American Government and U.S. History. Weber’s presentation will highlight the resources that are available and provide teachers with the opportunity to register for teacher access, obtain free instructional resources, and play a simulation game.

Stagg teacher Jennifer Baniewicz will present Windows into History, a research-based podcast assignment used in AP US History classes, and Stagg teachers Adam Zmuda and Mike Cibelli will present Access to Rigorous Courses, which will summarize steps they have taken to increase access to AP World History, why they transitioned to AP World History for freshmen, and how they managed a very diverse group of skill level and previous academic successes.

Kaufman said, “We like this format because teachers like hearing about success stories and what works from other teachers and it is very economical.”

The SSSSDC consists of department chairs from several area school districts with the purpose to advocate for and discuss a variety of topics that pertain to social studies. The group provides reasonably priced professional development opportunities to teachers from schools including all-day writing workshops, Document-Based Question training and Advanced Placement seminars. While the focus of the professional development is still teachers teaching teachers, the group also brought in outside presenters as well.