BRI Scholarship Recipient Takes Inspiration from NCSS
By Michael Aday
Attending the 2024 NCSS Conference in Boston on behalf of the Bill of Rights Institute was nothing short of transformative.
As an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, I was reenergized by the incredible sessions I attended, from “Playing for Democracy: Nurturing Civic Identities with Games” to “The Future of Social Studies Leadership: A State Council Leaders Discussion Panel.” These sessions not only sparked fresh ideas for my classroom, but also gave me new ways to engage students in understanding the heart of our democracy while giving me hope for the future of social studies education.
Some of the standout moments for me were the sessions on “Educating for Self-Governance: A New Learning Framework for History and Civics,” as well as the outstanding “BRI Tea Party” reception and informative training. This session reinforced my passion for fostering critical thinking and civic engagement in my students, while also empowering them with tools to become active participants in shaping the future and to always keep learning.
The value and importance of primary sources in engaging students was a key theme, and I left with practical strategies and materials to enhance historical inquiry and increase student involvement. I'm excited to integrate these resources, especially after hearing from fantastic organizations like the Library of Congress, TPS, NGPF, iCivics, Retro Report, and Sphere. All of these reminded me how important it is to make history come alive for students. I was able to put faces to names, colleagues collaborated with, and new friends made at a time in education when it's easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed by compounding challenges.
A heartfelt thank you to the Bill of Rights Institute for being a cornerstone in my professional development and growth. It was an honor to attend and be recognized through the Gary Colletti Conference Scholarship, in memory of a legacy that continues to inspire educators like me to push the boundaries of civic learning and educational innovation, to never stop evolving as a teacher and wanting to be better each day.
A special thanks to NCSS and BRI for granting me the First Timer Scholarship and hosting an event that brought together so many passionate educators in the revolutionary city of Boston. I look forward to sharing the lessons learned with my fellow teachers and continuing to grow as an educator, committed to nurturing the next generation of engaged, informed, and productive citizens.
This experience, filled with inspiration and connection, is a true highlight of my year and of my career. This is why I still teach. Not only do I see the hope and potential in students, day in and out, but also the unwavering focus, commitment and growth mindset I see in educators at Hudson Academy, in Pasco County, throughout Florida, and across this great nation.
In the arena of education, there are no more valiant champions who put their minds to purpose beyond all trials and tribulations, more than those who possess the constitution of character to brave this life and profession as lifelong learners, and above all, educators dedicated to their communities.
Michael Aday teaches world history and social studies at Hudson Academy in Hudson, FL. He is also a recipient of the Bill of Rights Institute's Gary Colletti Conference Scholarship.