Our most recent annual live conference was in 2019. The 2020 conference was cancelled due to the pandemic and our 2021 online conference was available through the 2021-22 school year. Please enjoy our 2019 award ceremony and nominate a fellow educator for 2023!
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A very special thank you to Nicole Padilla and Social Studies School Service for sponsoring the 2019 Awards Ceremony!
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A very special thank you to Nicole Padilla and Social Studies School Service for sponsoring the 2019 Awards Ceremony!
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The NSCSS 2019 Awards Social was held in the Scott Aquarium Grand Reef
at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
Annual Awards for Social Studies Educators
You may nominate a colleague for an annual award at any time! Awards are presented at the annual conference, but we accept and encourage nominations throughout the year. Please review the categories below and consider nominating a colleague. UPDATE: After delaying award presentations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, we plan to resume presentation of all awards at a live conference in the summer 2022. Nominations received for 2020 and 2021 as well as any new nominations will be considered for 2022. Please review the categories below and consider nominating a colleague.
You may nominate a colleague for an annual award at any time! Awards are presented at the annual conference, but we accept and encourage nominations throughout the year. Please review the categories below and consider nominating a colleague. UPDATE: After delaying award presentations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, we plan to resume presentation of all awards at a live conference in the summer 2022. Nominations received for 2020 and 2021 as well as any new nominations will be considered for 2022. Please review the categories below and consider nominating a colleague.
Paul Beck Outstanding Social Studies Educator Award (see information below)
President Carter Service Learning Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize teachers and students for their efforts in service learning. Service learning goes beyond community service to include background knowledge and research of an issue to which students can connect. Projects should examine not only the current status of the community issue, but should also include a study of the causes and the possible solutions.
First Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Second Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Third Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Outstanding Social Studies Clinical Practice Award
This award recognizes excellence in social studies instruction at the elementary or secondary level by a clinical practice candidate (student teacher). Outstanding clinical practice candidates should demonstrate social studies instruction that engages all learners and a willingness to accept feedback to improve their practice and advance their development as an effective social studies teacher.
President Carter Service Learning Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize teachers and students for their efforts in service learning. Service learning goes beyond community service to include background knowledge and research of an issue to which students can connect. Projects should examine not only the current status of the community issue, but should also include a study of the causes and the possible solutions.
First Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Second Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Third Congressional District Outstanding Social Studies Teacher
Outstanding Social Studies Clinical Practice Award
This award recognizes excellence in social studies instruction at the elementary or secondary level by a clinical practice candidate (student teacher). Outstanding clinical practice candidates should demonstrate social studies instruction that engages all learners and a willingness to accept feedback to improve their practice and advance their development as an effective social studies teacher.

The Paul Beck Outstanding Social Studies Educator Award
This award is the most prestigious award given by the NSCSS. It is intended to recognize people who have made a major impact over the years on the social studies teaching profession in the state of Nebraska.
Dr. Beck was a very popular university professor who specialized in U.S. diplomatic history. He was a long time member of the Organization of American Historians and did presentations for the OAH as well as the annual Missouri Valley History Conferences held in Omaha. In 1979 Dr. Philip S. Holmgren (former chairman of the Kearney State College Department of History and Philosophy) stated “Paul was a good classroom man and pioneered a number of courses, including one in black history.” He made numerous presentations for area teacher conferences and meetings. He served as an advisor for several social teachers seeking a master’s degree in history at UNO. He was always willing to share his expertise in social studies with any teacher who needed help His most endearing attribute was that he was a genuine friend, mentor and advocate for social studies teachers in the private and public schools.
The Nebraska State Council for Social Studies created the annual Paul Beck Award in 1975. Past winners have included both university professors and teachers in the public and private schools. Winners of the award have included: Harris Payne, Dr. Rick Kolowski, Dr. Orville Menard, Dr. Steve Bullock, Mary Lynn Reiser, Lonnie Moore, and our most recent winner--Dr. Karen Graff.
Please consider nominating an educator for the Paul Beck Award as well as nominees for other NSCSS awards. Complete and submit the form below. If you have any questions, contact Executive Secretary Richard Brown at rdanfordbrown@aol.com
This award is the most prestigious award given by the NSCSS. It is intended to recognize people who have made a major impact over the years on the social studies teaching profession in the state of Nebraska.
Dr. Beck was a very popular university professor who specialized in U.S. diplomatic history. He was a long time member of the Organization of American Historians and did presentations for the OAH as well as the annual Missouri Valley History Conferences held in Omaha. In 1979 Dr. Philip S. Holmgren (former chairman of the Kearney State College Department of History and Philosophy) stated “Paul was a good classroom man and pioneered a number of courses, including one in black history.” He made numerous presentations for area teacher conferences and meetings. He served as an advisor for several social teachers seeking a master’s degree in history at UNO. He was always willing to share his expertise in social studies with any teacher who needed help His most endearing attribute was that he was a genuine friend, mentor and advocate for social studies teachers in the private and public schools.
The Nebraska State Council for Social Studies created the annual Paul Beck Award in 1975. Past winners have included both university professors and teachers in the public and private schools. Winners of the award have included: Harris Payne, Dr. Rick Kolowski, Dr. Orville Menard, Dr. Steve Bullock, Mary Lynn Reiser, Lonnie Moore, and our most recent winner--Dr. Karen Graff.
Please consider nominating an educator for the Paul Beck Award as well as nominees for other NSCSS awards. Complete and submit the form below. If you have any questions, contact Executive Secretary Richard Brown at rdanfordbrown@aol.com