Social Science Newsletter
September 2025
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 Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. As social science educators, you play a vital role in helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed for a healthy pluralistic democracy. This newsletter provides updates on standards implementation, instructional resources, professional learning opportunities, and recognition programs to support your work throughout the year. Thank you for all that you do for Oregon students.
Please let me know if you have any questions or items you would like to see in future newsletters.
ODE Social Science
Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and ends on October 15 to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. It first started as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The dates were chosen because September 15 is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Heritage months are a good reminder for the teaching of a more inclusive curriculum, but there is no reason to limit the inclusion to a single month. These resources can be explored and utilized throughout the year:
Oregon Historical Society: New lesson plans and resources with primary documents fully aligned to Oregon's 2024 Social Science Standards.
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Gilder Lehrman Institute: Oregon History Teacher of the Year
Rebecca Eisenberg, a teacher at Lincoln High School in Portland, has been named the 2025 Oregon History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Since 2004, this distinguished award has recognized exceptional K–12 educators for their remarkable work in teaching American history.
"History teachers play an essential role in helping students understand the past, build critical thinking skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the people and events that shaped our nation," says James G. Basker, president and CEO of the Gilder Lehrman Institute.
As the 2025 Oregon History Teacher of the Year, Eisenberg will receive a $1,000 honorarium and a curated collection of American history materials. She joins 52 other honorees as a finalist for the 2025 National History Teacher of the Year Award. The national winner will be announced this fall at the Harvard Club of New York City and will receive a $10,000 grand prize.
Gilder Lehrman Student Advisory Council
The Gilder Lehrman Institute invites high-achieving students (grades 8–12) passionate about history to apply for our elite Student Advisory Council. This diverse community of 200+ members nationwide provides valuable program feedback while engaging with leading historians and exclusive educational opportunities.
What Members Experience:
- Monthly virtual meetings (second Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)
- Presentations from renowned historians like Eric Foner and Annette Gordon-Reed
- Access to primary documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection
- Speaking opportunities at Institute events and book prize ceremonies
- Virtual Q&As with Broadway's Hamilton cast
Interested young historians can apply here.
Learn more about current members and apply. Questions? Email studentadvisorycouncil@gilderlehrman.org.
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Oregon Historical Society (OHS)
OHS published a new curriculum unit for grades 6–12, exploring Latine history in Oregon from early Spanish exploration to present-day youth activism. Created with educator Victor Ochoa, the lessons cover labor, migration, civil rights, and community building through primary sources, oral histories, and case studies.
The unit includes scaffolding options, answer keys, and slide decks. Spanish translations of student materials will be available this fall.
TRAVELING TRUNK PROGRAM
Reserve Traveling Trunks for the 2025–2026 School Year
OHS Traveling Trunks offer hands-on learning with objects, maps, primary sources, and lesson plans aligned with state standards. Rentals are $25 for 1-2 weeks, with statewide shipping available (schools cover return shipping).
Free rentals for Title 1 schools, schools with 40%+ Free and Reduced Lunch, and rural schools outside Portland, Salem, and Eugene metro areas.
Payment is required online before rental. Reserve early for preferred dates. Questions: traveling.trunks@ohs.org. Additional Information.
Available Trunks:
- Chinese Diaspora in Oregon (Grades 2–4, 7–8)
- Eastern Oregon (Grades 4, 8)
- Geography in Oregon (Grades 3–4)
- Japanese American History in Oregon (Grades 3–12)
- Oregon Is Indian Country (Grades 4–12)
- Oregon's Black Pioneers (Grades K–5)
- Portland (Grade 3)
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United States Senate Youth Program
Nominate Your Student Leaders: U.S. Senate Youth Program
The U.S. Senate Youth Program offers an exceptional experience for high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate leadership in government, public affairs, education, or community service.
Selected Students Receive:
- $10,000 college scholarship
- All-expenses-paid week in Washington, D.C. (March 7-14, 2026)
- Meeting events with Senators, Supreme Court justices, and national leaders
- Network with student delegates nationwide
Ideal Candidates: Should have a deep commitment to civic engagement, and currently serve in elected or appointed leadership roles, such as:
- Student body officers
- Class representatives
- Community service leaders
- Public affairs organization members
Oregon 6A schools may nominate up to two students. All other schools must select one student for nomination. Two Oregon students will be selected for the scholarship funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
More information is available at the ODE USSYP webpage.
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Civics Learning Project (CLP)
CLP Students Nationally Recognized for CAPs!
Congratulations to two CLP Community Action Project (CAPs) teams for winning nationwide recognition at the Center for Civic Education's national showcase!
CAPs is CLP's inquiry-based student action program in which students choose and advocate on issues they care about. Every year, students all over Oregon research and collaborate to develop policies on issues important to them and their communities.
Laura Fisher and her students at Roosevelt High School's project, CAP 2025 Social Studies Curriculum, won the highest designation, Superior. They explored and proposed how to make a pacing guide that would make social studies more dynamic, inclusive, and accessible for students in their school district.
Erica Dietz and her students at Cascade Middle School's project, The Pink Tax, won the second-highest designation, Exceptional. These students tackled gender-based pricing discrimination and advocated for legislation that would create a fairer marketplace for women and girls.
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Oregon Humanities
Join a conversation with Akhil Reed Amar, one of the country's leading thinkers on constitutional law. Oregon Humanities will explore how equality has been central to American laws, history, and self-understanding, and consider how we strive toward this ideal today. The discussion will examine arguments that informed the US Constitution, its evolution over 238 years, and the future of the nation's foundational laws.
Amar teaches constitutional law at Yale University and is the author of America's Unwritten Constitution, The Constitution Today, and Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution, 1840-1920.
This conversation is part of Oregon Humanities' 2025–26 “Consider This: Beyond 250” Series. examining what the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary means for concepts like equality, freedom, justice, and union.
Tickets General admission: $15, or $30 with a copy of Born Equal. Available from Alberta Rose Theatre's website and box office. Free tickets available through this form.
Other ways to participate
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World Oregon
Seeking Government Fellowship Hosts for Emerging Leaders from SE Asia
WorldOregon is currently looking for fellowship placements in local, county, or state government. The Young SE Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is a four-week inbound fellowship program in the Portland metro area from September 29–October 24, 2025. Participating fellows are looking at themes and best practices in, among other topics:
- Government efficiency
- Public policy and accountability
- Digital transformation
- Urban and transportation planning
YSEALI is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting and sustainable partnerships between emerging leaders in Southeast Asia and the United States. The fellowship program is followed by a competitive, fully-funded, reciprocal exchange!Please contact Amy Barss for more information, amy@worldoregon.org
The Immigrant Story Live
Portland Center Stage
Saturday, September 13, 7pm
Join World Oregon and partners The Immigrant Story at Portland Center Stage for an evening of impactful stories and joyful music from Oregonians who share the places they’ve built, the traditions they’ve carried, and what it means to truly belong.
Experience the resilience, dreams, and cultural richness of young migrants who now call Oregon home—followed by the dazzling vocals of Gemanereida Barragan-Cruz and the award-winning Mariachi Tradición. This is a celebration of community—of the color, spirit, and heart of a shared culture that continues to grow and thrive. Together, we create a home where everyone belongs, no matter where we came from or the journey that brought us here. Presented in conjunction with Welcoming Week 2025.
More Information and Tickets
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Organization of American Historians (OAH)
OAH launched a K–12 Teachers' Book Club, a free virtual program connecting educators with leading historians and authors through shared reading and discussion.
This fall's inaugural book is The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777–1780 by Rick Atkinson. (Participants only need to read part one.) Join the first meeting on September 23 at 7 pm ET with Atkinson himself for a discussion about the Revolutionary War and historical storytelling.
Open to all K–12 teachers seeking to deepen content knowledge, explore new perspectives, and connect with fellow educators.
Register for this free event. Purchase the book or check with your local library.
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Retro Report
Classroom-Ready Tools: Scaffolds and Primary Sources for Teaching U.S. History and Civics
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Please send any questions or comments to: ODE Social Science
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