La Estrella Newsletter Archive — March 2026
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In this newsletter, you'll find  Message from the TXCSS President  Teacher Tuesdays - March 10 Teacher Tips - "Why I Teach" #TXCSS2026 Call for Proposals and Reserve your room Information from our Sponsors Hey TXCSS Familia! This is a hefty edition of La Estrella. It includes some early information about our annual conference, Teacher Tuesdays, a refresh of Teacher Tips, and other opportunities to get involved with the Texas Council.  We hope you take the step to invest in yourself by becoming a member. Stay connected and share our council news and information with your friends, family, and professional network.  #TXCSSTogether John Fernandez Director of Operations socialstudies@txcss.net Message from Elizabeth Howson TXCSS President 2026 Watch the Video Learning happens all year long, for our students and for us educators. Refine your craft and engage with other members during our TEACHER TUESDAY zoom session. On the second Tuesday of every month a webinar will be held to offer professional learning opportunities.  We will have expert historians, teachers, and social studies organizations share content knowledge, pedagogy practices, and more. It will be a chance to learn from the best in the field!  We hope everyone can join us!! Our next TEACHER TUESDAY on March 10 from 6pm to 7:30pm will be presented by the Social Studies Success. Bringing Literacy to Life  Learn how to use vocabulary strategies, reading strategies, and manipulatives to support and engage students in your classroom. Teachers will receive easy to implement instructional strategies, two strategy manuals, and a model resource.  Sign-up today!!! We look forward to seeing everyone and learning together!!  Be on the lookout for future sessions and sign-ups! Elizabeth Howson TXCSS President 2026 Register, today! Call for Presenters The Texas Council for the Social Studies is pleased to announce that the 2026 TXCSS Conference Proposal Form is now open. We invite educators and instructional leaders to submit session proposals aligned with this year's conference theme: The Joy of Discovery: A Journey of Learning. This theme highlights the excitement and curiosity that drive meaningful social studies instruction, and we look forward to showcasing sessions that reflect innovation, engagement, and powerful learning experiences. Application Deadline: April 6, 2026 We encourage you to share your expertise, inspire fellow educators, and contribute to an outstanding professional learning experience for social studies teachers across Texas. Best, Rob Kennemer Speaker Contact Texas Council for the Social Studies Questions? Email presenters@txcss.net Call for Presenters! TXCSS2026 Accommodations We're excited to announce that room reservations are now live for #TXCSS2026 online at TXCSS.net Join us October 22-25, 2026, and secure your stay at the beautiful Omni Houston Hotel, our official conference host site. Conference Dates: October 22-25, 2026 Location: Omni Houston Hotel Room Block: Reserve your room, today! We encourage you to reserve your room early, as space is limited. Secure your reservation today and make plans to attend #TXCSS2026! If you have any questions regarding lodging or conference details, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing you in Houston for an inspiring and engaging #TXCSS2026! Question? Contact Chad Taylor Executive Secretary "Why I Teach" Binder Nichole Ritchie Middle School Representative Teaching is often judged by data, but the real difference is in the connections and relationships we build with our students. When work feels heavy and doubt in yourself creeps in, I turn to my "Why I Teach" binder, a simple binder filled with notes from students, colleagues, and administrators. I want educators to know that their influence is real, even if it is not immediately visible. I hope this makes you feel seen, encouraged, and less isolated on the hard days. Most of all, I invite you to do one simple thing: start your own "Why I Teach" binder. While it will not solve burnout or fix the various challenges in education, it can ground you. On the days when teaching feels overwhelming, you will have something tangible to hold onto, a reminder that your presence, your attention, and your persistence make a lasting difference. Already have a 'Why I Teach' binder? I'd love to feature it in the next Teacher Tips and La Estrella. Send me an email, and I'll share the next steps. Nichole Ritchie Middle School Representative nritchie@txcss.net Visit Education in Action! Learn more at Exploros! La Estrella is published four times a year to provide our community with timely information and opportunities related to social studies education in Texas. Stay Connected - Follow us on social media!