Benefits of Membership

Our provides a network of services to members throughout the state.

Your membership supports:

PUBLICATIONS

 Monthly NewsBlasts

The NewsBlast provides information regarding teaching materials and methods, programs and projects for teachers and students, legislative trends, opportunities for professional development and more.

·         The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal

The Great Lakes Social Studies Journal is published twice a year by the GLSSJ Committee, OCSS will be partnering with Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies to contribute. Members receive two editions a year of the journal that offers in-depth articles and a potential opportunity to have your research and articles published.

CONFERENCES AND REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

·         Annual Conference

The annual gathering of professionals offers prominent speakers in the field, networking groups, numerous breakout sessions and contact with large and small vendors.  

·         Regional Workshops

Regional, one-day opportunities (virtual and face-to-face) are offered each year across the state. Have an idea for a regional workshop? Access our board directory and reach out to your regional representatives! 

·         Higher Education SIG

The state's university instructors gather periodically to examine issues related to teacher preparation programs. This includes collaborative research projects like the annual State of the Social Studies Survey.

PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY

Voicing Our Opinions- Classroom teachers, university instructors, and social studies professionals from related organizations serve on the Executive Board. Together, we carry your voice to Ohio’s legislators and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, advocating on behalf of social studies education. We have testified in favor of increased social studies graduation requirements and sought equal treatment of educators’ views at public hearings on educational issues. 

Being Part of the Process- OCSS members have served on the Ohio Model Curriculum Committee, the Ohio Licensure Committee, as well as the State Superintendent’s Advisory on State Assessments and range-finding committees.

AWARDS HONORING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Individual Honors

OCSS annually recognizes members with Teacher-of-the-Year awards in elementary (K-6) and high school (7-12) categories. There is also an award for a Social Studies Leader, recognizing a contributor from outside the classroom and Emerging Teacher of the Year, recognizing an early-career social studies teacher.

Awards Include: 

·         Teacher of the Year Awards

·         Awards for University Students

·         Social Studies Leader Award