Civic Impact: Mathews Center at ALCSS
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life was honored to be one of the sponsors at the Alabama Council for the Social Studies (ALCSS) 2023 Annual Conference. This event took place on October 6th, 2023, at the Shelby County Schools Instructional Services Center, and its theme for the year was "Social Studies: Putting the Pieces Together Unifying Our Local History." The conference brought together educators, civic leaders, nonprofit organizations and individuals passionate about social studies to engage in insightful discussions and share knowledge.
The day began at 8:30 a.m. with a warm welcome from the ALCSS president, setting the tone for the day's activities. The opening session included various acknowledgments, followed by door prizes.
We thoroughly enjoyed having the privilege of hearing from Lisa McNair, the featured guest speaker. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Lisa McNair is the oldest living sister of Denise McNair, who tragically lost her life during the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963. Lisa McNair shared her family's experience following this devastating event, offering a unique perspective on a critical moment in our nation's history. Her story was not only great but also enlightening, providing a valuable perspective on how things were post Civil Rights Movement.
The ALCSS 2023 conference was structured into five sessions, each featuring six different topics. One session that stood out for us was "Examining the Civil Rights Movement," which was presented by Alabama Public Television and PBS Learning Media. We also had the pleasure of supporting our 2023 Civic Education Fellow, Mindy Walker, by attending her session titled, "Utilizing Photography of Historical Sites to Create an Immersive Learning Experience for Dialogical Discussions and Historical Inquiry in Secondary History Classrooms." Mindy's innovative approach to education demonstrated the importance of fostering engaging and immersive learning experiences in the classroom.
The Mathews Center was also delighted to hold an expo table as part of the exhibit hall. This allowed us to connect with a wide range of individuals who share our passion for civic education and community engagement. We are truly grateful for the meaningful connections we made at the ALCSS 2023 conference, as they enrich our mission to promote active citizenship and civic dialogue.
Our experience at the ALCSS 2023 conference was incredibly valuable. The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this event and to contribute to social studies education in Alabama. We look forward to participating again next year!