WCSS Opportunities

Updated: 31 January 2008 (Please reload this page to get the most up to date version)

WIOC-- Wisconsin International Outreach Consortium. WIOC's mission is to share resources and to collaboratively support international education and global awareness. WIOC provides resources and expertise on world areas to K-12 teachers, post-secondary educators, businesses, the media, and the community at large. Events include: China Study Toue, K-12 Spanish for Business, Tour of India, World Cultures Day, International Childrens' & Young Adult Literature Celebration, and others. Click here for a copy of their brochure (PDF).

Youth Leadership Initiative. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. YLI is funded by the United States Congress, the Virginia General Assembly, and private donations. YLI develops free K-12 civic education resources designed to encourage student interest and participation in the American political process. Through this website, students may participate in mock elections, a mock congress and campaign simulations, and teachers may download civics and government lesson plans.

Fall 2007 University of Wisconsin - Madison NCTA Seminar on East Asia
A Professional Development Seminar for Secondary World History, World Geography & World Literature Teachers
Class Dates: Sat. Sept. 8, Sat. Sept. 15, Sat. Oct. 6, Sat. Oct. 20 Sat. Nov. 3, Sat. Dec. 1, 2007
Follow-Up Session Dates: Fri. Jan. 25, 7-9 pm and Fri. Feb. 15 from 7-9 pm, 2008

This 45-hour seminar offers secondary teachers the opportunity to engage in study, analysis, and discussion of new scholarship related to Chinese, Korean and Japanese history, geography, and culture. Participants who successfully complete all the seminar's requirements receive $175 in seminar texts and materials, $300 participant stipend, $200 in selected curriculum materials for your school, and an additional $200 stipend upon completion of two follow-up meetings and final reflection in winter 2008. Participants who successfully complete the seminar are eligible for to apply for the 2008 NCTA summer study tour to China &/or Japan. Academic credit (3 credits) is available as an option through the University of Wisconsin – Madison for an additional cost under the course title East Asian Studies 301: "NCTA Teacher Workshop on East Asia". Instructor: Richard Miller, Associate Director, Center for East Asian Studies.
Offered by the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in cooperation with the NCTA National Coordinating Site at the University of Colorado Program for Teaching East Asia, funded by NCTA through a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation.
Eligibility: This seminar is open to secondary world geography, world history, and world literature teachers currently teaching courses that include the study of China, Korea, and/or Japan.
Registration for workshop: Free. Academic credit is available at an additional cost.
Registration: Deadline is August 30, 2007.
Registration is limited to 20 eligible teachers on a first come, first served basis; register early to insure a place.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America annouce the 4th Annual Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award which honors outstanding teachers of American history across the country. For 2008, all elementary (K-6) teachers who have responsibility for teaching American history are eligible for nomination. Go to the Gilder Lehrman website for more information including selection criteria and application procedures.

Foundation for Teaching Economics. Free Professional Development Workshops. "Economics for Leaders" and "Economic Forces in American History". Stipends available. Register online.

Teaching About the Holocaust. A conference for classroom teachers in grades 7-12. Sponsored by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Register online.

Learn about the Wisconsin Teachers of Local Culture network and how to register for its second annual " Here at Home: A Wisconsin Cultural Tour for K-12 Teachers ."

NGO Abroad: Custom-Fit International Service. Want to do something amazing this summer? Volunteer abroad. Real volunteering instead of a contrived experience. Enrich your teaching and your life. NGOabroad is a unique service that provides frugal, customized international volunteer options and helps people enter international humanitarian work. NGOabroad has 3 services:
1. exciting international volunteer programs in democracy building; domestic violence; building girls schools, trauma counseling, vocational training, media, youth & children, micro-finance, capacity building, nursing & medical, business development, etc.
2. custom fit international service opportunities that are well suited to people who have something specific in mind
3. career consults that help people enter into or advance in international humanitarian work.
Ann McLaughlin, MSW brings 25 years of counseling experience to help: articulate your strengths; clarify your goals; design strategies; write smart cover letters & resumes. Send your resume via email (do not attach), explain what you are looking for and what you can contribute, state your skills in the subject line and send to Ann McLaughlin.

Interested in a service learning project? Consider volunteering with the Blue Mountain Project in Jamaica. The village of Hagley Gap is north of Kingston Jamaica in the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountain Project includes working on a medical clinic in Hagley Gap, providing potable water for the community, conducting an annual health fair, conducting a food commodities program, and a summer camp for kids.

Study trip to Germany for Wisconsin Social Studies Teachers. http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/cal/socstudies.html

MAESTRA (a professional development opportunity for teachers working with Latino students). Sponsored by Edgewood College and AmeriSpan.

If you have Social Studies opportunities that you would like to share with your Social Studies colleagues please contact Jim Adams for inclusion on this webpage.