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At the Illinois State Board of Education, we are committed to supporting educators in the development of dynamic, inclusive, and inquiry-driven learning environments. Our mission is to empower teachers by providing them with the necessary resources, guidance, and professional development opportunities to facilitate meaningful student growth and foster civic engagement.
The importance of culturally responsive teaching cannot be overstated; it is fundamental to educational equity. Therefore, we are dedicated to offering high-quality instructional materials and support that reflect the rich diversity of our student population and communities. With the Illinois State Board of Education as your partner, you can cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and a comprehensive understanding of the world within each classroom.
- Towards Inquiry and Inclusion in Social Studies Toolkit: Aimed at supporting more inquiry-based and inclusive social studies teaching and learning experiences.
- Resource Evaluation Toolkit: Quick, yet thoughtful analysis of the numerous resources one might encounter when coordinating and assembling inquiry-based and inclusive learning experiences for social studies students.
- Inquiry With and In Community Toolkit: Support stronger, more symbiotic relationships, between Illinois social studies teachers and their students, families, and communities.
- Action Plan Toolkit:This guide supports teachers in creating inquiry-based, justice-centered learning by helping them set curricular goals, reflect on challenges, and build sustainable plans. Through a two-part process—including goal setting, feedback, and real classroom examples from a high school teacher—it encourages reflection, imagination, and action.
- Visit the Social Studies Network YouTube page to access instructional videos on inquiry-based and inclusive social studies teaching and learning. Included in the playlist are videos on connecting with community, inclusive and inquiry-based pedagogy, and curricular best practices.
- History in Under a Minute - Like and follow the Social Studies Network TikTok page, with one-minute videos detailing history/herstory/theirstory you may not have learned, or be teaching, in Social Studies classrooms.
- Join Jae, a college student studying to become a high school teacher and host of "What's Going On? A Social Studies Network Podcast", as she and guests discuss all things social studies. Guest range from Professors to teachers to students. You can watch the podcast episodes on YouTube or listen to them on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- Towards Inquiry: Moving in Solidarity with your Students Documentary - This short documentary film follows a day in the life of Seth, a high school social studies teacher in Naperville, Illinois who uses inquiry as a method for his students to critically read and transform their worlds.
Are you prepared to enhance your development as a social science educator? Whether you are newly entering the field or seeking to expand your expertise, our organization offers a range of professional development opportunities that are specifically designed to meet your needs. We provide interactive workshops, self-paced courses, and comprehensive instructional resources -- all aimed at supporting educators at every phase of their professional journey.
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