ESC Region 13 Annual Social Studies Summit: Critical Thinking, Critical Connections
Come be part of an inspiring day of professional learning at the 3rd Annual Region 13 Social Studies Summit: Critical Thinking, Critical Connections. This event brings together K–12 educators to focus on improving Social Studies learning outcomes for all students.
Engage in a variety of breakout sessions led by teachers and experts in the field, featuring strategies for effective Social Studies instruction, ways to support students’ critical thinking skills.
Highlights
Effective Pedagogy: Learn innovative strategies tailored to the complexities of Social Studies content.
Support Students Critical Thinking Skills: Learn ways to develop students’ historical thinking and civic knowledge.
Enhancing content knowledge: Deepen your understanding of key Social Studies concepts and content areas. Gain insights into curriculum development, assessment practices, and resources to bolster your expertise in the field.
Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just beginning your journey in Social Studies instruction, the Region 13 Social Studies Summit offers valuable insights and resources to support your professional growth.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and leave inspired to empower students with a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Keynotes
Glenn Wiebe
"I have an intense belief in the power that educators have as agents of change in the world. We have the ability to literally modify the future through our interactions with kids."
Glenn is the president of History Tech Consulting, providing professional learning opportunities, curriculum coaching, and assessment support for teachers, schools, and districts across the Midwest and the country.
Glenn’s teaching career began at Derby Middle School, finding ways to help 13-year-olds dig deeply into social studies and reading. He earned a graduate degree in American History while continuing to develop innovative practices and sharing them with his students. He spent several years teaching at a small midwestern liberal arts college before transitioning into a social studies specialist position a regional educational service center.
Glenn now travels across the country, working and learning alongside both elementary and secondary teachers onsite, virtually, and at state and national conference throughout the United States. He is the past president of the National Social Studies Leaders Association, acted as co-chair for the 2013 and 2020 Kansas State Department of Education Social Standards Writing Committee, and is a past president and current board member of the Kansas Council for the Social Studies. He also serves on the advisory board of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, is a state representative on the National Geographic Advisory Committee, the NCSS Publications Committee, the NCSS Resolutions Committee, and is a member of the iCivics Educators Network.
Glenn lives in southern Minnesota with his wife Maura and will admit to visiting Gettysburg National Military Park no more than nine times. You can find him online at @glennw98 and at glennwiebe.org.
Providence Nkurunziza
Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission
Providence Nkurunziza is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, an author, inspirational speaker, and advocate against violence toward women and children. At age 11, she lost both parents, five siblings, and her entire extended family during the genocide.
In 2022, she published her memoir, Next Couple Hours: A Story of Fear, Loss, Courage, and Determination During and After the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Through her work, Providence bears witness to the atrocities of genocide, believing it is a responsibility to honor those who were lost and to educate future generations, as no society is immune to such violence.
Providence has spoken at the United Nations, the Swedish Parliament, Holocaust museums, universities, synagogues, churches, and libraries. She is an ISGAP scholar, having completed advanced study on combating antisemitism at Oxford University, and was recently honored by Wagner College for her leadership in Holocaust, genocide, and anti-bias education.
