Connecticut Geographic Alliance

			NERC 2010 – Sturbridge, MA “Creating Connections ~ Changing the World” Excerpted from the NERC 2010 Registration Brochure Now more than ever, our world needs students who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and eager to give of themselves unselfishly to make a difference in our world. Our mission, as teachers and leaders of the social studies, is to educate our students to reach the high standards set by our school districts and foster the growth of empathy and responsibility for others through volunteerism, citizenship, and community activism. The skills and responsive strategies intended to assist students to become leaders and change agents must be contained in the History and Social Science standards. Implementing service learning initiatives and civic engagement opportunities is essential in a world in which both human and environmental conditions require the immediate attention and assistance from global citizens – our students and future leaders. To that end, our role must be to empower students so they may successfully engage in the lives of their communities. We must instill the belief within each student from elementary to high school that participation in local, national, and world citizenship is not an option but a privilege and a duty. When students realize that they are an integral part of the solution to the problems they study in current events, world geography, civics, and history, our challenge will be met. Become the inspiration that encourages students to be the responsive citizens needed to change planet Earth and its people for the better. The Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies will host the 41st Northeast Regional Conference on the Social Studies at the Sturbridge (MA) Host Hotel and Conference Center from Monday, March 22 through Thursday, March 25, 2010. The planned schedule is an exciting one with something that is sure to appeal to everyone. This annual conference is co-sponsored by the Councils for the Social Studies from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York as well as the New England History Teachers’ Association, the Northeast Regional Geographic Alliances, and the New England, New York, and New Jersey State Departments of Education. It is sanctioned by the National Council for the Social Studies. Join educators from throughout the Northeast at this informative conference. More specific information about the schedule for NERC 2010 can be found online at www.masscouncil.org.