MCSS Fall Conference at the Tsongas Industrial History Center

We are very excited to announce that the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies (Mass Council, or MCSS) will be hosting a summit conference this fall at the Tsongas Industrial History Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Friday, October 23, 2026. It has certainly been a while since the Mass Council held a statewide event in the north shore area!
 
Flyer: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10jcWsD8VE1yQk-Mooxqn9h29kowXFPnIIRqIU59uADI/present?slide=id.p 
 
The summit conference is an opportunity for regional councils and professional learning communities (PLCs) to meet and explore goals and objectives for the 2026-2027 school year. Even if you are not part of a regional council or PLC at this time, but are curious or  interested in learning what Social Studies educators in different districts are exploring or grappling with a specific focus or issue. Some regional councils and PLCs were established last year and started to meet regularly virtually via ZOOM or Google Meet, while some are still in its conception phase. MCSS is hoping to help councils and PLCs get started in hopes to build momentum for ongoing meetings virtually or in person throughout the school year.
 
Regional and Other Councils (first breakout session)
  • South Shore Social Studies Supervisors, or 5S
  • Greater and Metro Boston Council (district along and within Rt 128 beltway)
  • North Shore MA Council
  • Southeast MA, Cape Cod and Islands Council (including Rhode Island)
  • Central MA Council
  • Western MA Council
  • Massachusetts Historical Society
  • New England History Teachers Association
 
PLCs (second and third breakout sessions, allowing participants to engage in two differenet PLCs):
  • High School Civics Seal
  • Civic Action projects
  • Literacy and Social Studies
  • Social Studies in the age of Artificial Intelligence
  • Navigating and facilitating hard and difficult topics
  • Place based learning and local history
  • Current events, Global I.Q. and International Relations
  • Investigating History
  • History Day
  • Holocaust and Genocide education
  • Business and Financial Literacy
 
The conference will take place at the offices at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Registration is FREE and will also admit you to tour the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
 
Unfortunately, because we have reached capacity for this conference, we can no longer accept new registrations at this time.
 
Morning spread, coffee, and lunch will be provided, sponsored by Imagine Learning.  If you have any allergies and dietary restrictions, please indicate on the registration form.
 
While the summit conference is primarily catered to Social Studies leaders, all Social Studies educators are welcome to join and participate. This is particularly great for Social Studies teachers who are exploring and gaining leadership and administration experience, and networking with teachers in other districts across the state and region.
 
If you have any questions regarding a council or PLC, do not hesitate to reach out to Todd Wallingford or Gorman Lee.