ESC Region 13 Annual Social Studies Summit: Think Global, Act Local
Welcome to the Annual Region 13 Social Studies Summit! Join us for a day of immersive professional development dedicated to enriching Social Studies education for students across grades K-12.
Dive into a spectrum of engaging breakout sessions facilitated by seasoned teachers and subject matter experts. Our sessions are designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies needed to enhance Social Studies learning outcomes for all students.
Highlights:
Effective Pedagogy: Dive into innovative teaching methodologies tailored to the nuances of Social Studies education. Explore interactive strategies to captivate students' interests and foster critical thinking skills.
Amplifying Diverse Histories: Discover how to integrate diverse perspectives and narratives into the Social Studies curriculum. Learn strategies for creating inclusive learning environments that celebrate the richness of cultural heritage and historical experiences.
Enhancing Content Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of key Social Studies concepts and content areas. Gain insights into curriculum development, assessment practices, and resources to bolster your expertise in the field.
Whether you're a seasoned educator or just beginning your journey in Social Studies instruction, the Region 13 Social Studies Summit offers valuable insights and resources to support your professional growth.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and leave inspired to empower students with a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Take a peek at a few of our breakout session leaders:
Region 13 Teachers
The Daytripper, Chet Garner
Patacognition
Eduprotocols
The Bill of Rights Institute
LBJ Presidential Library
Hemispheres UT
And More!
Keynote: Chet Garner
Chet Garner is the creator, host, and executive producer of The Daytripper, a 13-time Emmy-award-winning Texas travel show airing on PBS stations across the country. Born in Comanche and raised in Port Neches, Texas, Chet’s love for storytelling began at a young age around the Boy Scout campfire and toting around his grandfather’s VHS video camera.
Chet earned a degree in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin and went on to graduate first in his class from Baylor Law School. However, after practicing law for 3 years, he decided to follow his passions and simultaneously inspire folks to appreciate the beauty, history, and food of the Lone Star State. What followed was a crash course in travel, filmmaking, marketing, and doing whatever it takes to start a successful TV show. When not traveling Chet is at home in Georgetown, Texas with his wife and 5 children (14, 12, 9, 7, and 3) – although he’s usually got them on the road too.
Estevan Balderrama is the newest addition to the Neill-Cochran House Team. Estevan comes to the museum with a life-long passion for history. Estevan has a BA in history from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA in public history from Texas State University, and is certified to teach social studies grades 7-12. Estevan’s work center on the history of Austin in the 19th century which he continues here at the museum.
Coyote Balderrama-Shook
Dr. Coyote Balderrama-Shook is the School Programs Manager at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Prior to this, they were an Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Radcliffe Hall and Una, Lady Troubridge digitization project with the Harry Ransom Center, an education fellow at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and a high school humanities teacher.
Becca Beck
Becca Beck is a Distance Learning Specialist at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. With over 13 years of experience in museum education, Becca writes, develops and presents social studies programs for students in grades K-8. She aspires to collaborate with educators for America’s 250th to create student-centered classes with multiple perspectives.
Kelsey Cooper
Kelsey Cooper is the co-founder of PataCognition and the author of "Starting and Ending with Thinking in Social Studies". She taught AP United States History, 8th and 11th grade US History, AP Psychology, and freshman Pre-AP Geography in Title 1 schools in San Antonio. Cooper has since become an instructional technology specialist in DFW helping teachers of all subjects and levels leverage technology in the classroom.
Meghan Dougherty
Meghan Dougherty has 20 years' experience, teaching social studies and ELA in the United States and overseas. I have been an instructional coach, assistant principal, and now curriculum specialist. I love the power of social studies to help our students better understand themselves and their society.
Caroline Garriott
Hemispheres, the International Outreach Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin, utilizes University resources to promote world area studies for K-12 and postsecondary schools, businesses, community groups, and the general public. Hemispheres is coordinated by five independent units that receive funding from multiple sources, including the Title VI International Area Studies Program of the US Department of Education: The Center for European Studies, The Tereza Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, The Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, and the South Asia Institute. Hemispheres provides quality, free and low-cost resources that enhance understanding of diverse world regions to K-12 and post-secondary educators, business, the media, and civic and community groups. By coordinating projects, workshops, and curriculum units via Hemispheres, each of the component centers contributes standards-aligned content that greatly enhances its classroom usability.
Kameko Jacobs
Kameko Jacobs earned a masters in Social Studies Education from the University of Texas at Austin, where she developed a passion for teaching history from many perspectives in ways to enliven the past and enlighten the present. She taught high school U.S. History for six years before becoming an Education Specialist at the LBJ Library. There, she develops curriculum to bring the vast national archives to life while also planning teacher professional development in a variety of subjects.
Ken Karrer
After 46 years in education Ken continues to represent the Foundation for Teaching Economics as their former National Teacher of the Year and currently as a National and International Mentor Teacher. He recently finished his 6th year at Texas State University as a Senior Lecturer and Secondary Social Studies Student Teacher Supervisor where he twice received The Texas State University's Innovative Teaching Award. Prior to his work at Texas State he worked with the Texas Education Agency with assignments in Data Validation, School Improvement, and Special Investigations. He has also been a campus administrator, teacher, and coach for Bastrop, Del Valle, Austin, and Pflugerville ISD's. He has worked at every level of public education in Texas from pre-k to college and was recently asked to be a presenter at the Global Economic Educator's Conference in Cluj, Romania.
Dr. Ben Kramer
Joy Lobb
As a Distance Learning Educator at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, Joy Lobb presents engaging and educational lessons to students in grades K-8. With over 12 years of museum and theatre experience, she helps write and present Texas social studies programs to nearly 14,000 students a year. Joy looks forward to connecting with teachers to share the resources that the Bullock Museum has to offer.
Jamie Maples
Jamie Maples started her career teaching social studies courses for 8 years. While she taught most of the high school courses at one point, her favorite has always been the geography courses. Jamie also was a campus instructional coach for 5 years. She currently is the Secondary Coordinator for Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction for Leander ISD.
Sheila Mehta
Sheila Mehta has spent her entire career in education. After almost 15 years as a high school social studies teacher, Sheila joined the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library after being the recipient of the educational resources and professional development offered by the LBJ Library for many years. In her role as education specialist, she supports a multitude of learning experiences for students, teachers, and the public.
Russell Montgomery
Russell Montgomery has been in education for 22 years, 7 years as a elementary teacher, 14 years as an instructional coach and now the Elementary Humanities coordinator for Leander ISD. I have had a passion for social studies all my life. My goal is for students to have the same passion as I did by providing educational experiences and allowing them to use the past to change the future.
Scott Petri
Scott Petri taught social studies at the middle and high school level for 22 years before joining BRI. He is a co-author of The EduProtocols Field Guide: Social Studies Edition. Scott is the current President-Elect for the California Council for the Social Studies. He is a 2023-24 PBS Invention Ed Fellow and was named Outstanding High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2021. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a M.A. in Educational Administration from California State University Northridge, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of San Diego.
Rebecca Smart
Rebecca Smart serves as an AP US History teacher and Social Studies Instructional Coach at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, Texas. In addition to being a Consultant with Texas LRE, Rebecca has served as a Retro Report Council of Educators Member, White House History Teacher Institute Master Teacher, We The People Institute Mentor, National Constitution Center Weekend Workshop Facilitator, and is a recipient of the 2024 Texas Humanities Teacher of the Year Award.
Kyna Stys
As Director of Education at the National Museum of the Pacific War, I create engaging, TEKS-aligned programs and resources that bring history to life. My passion is helping students and teachers connect with the past through immersive, inspiring, and accessible learning experiences.
Roy Torres
Roy Torres is a former high school social studies teacher, social studies department head, Social Studies content specialist at ESC Region 19, TEKS Resource Specialist for Social Studies, and currently the Account Executive for Britannica Education in Texas. During the span of my career I have organized a regional Social Studies Conference in Partnership with Texas State Historical Association, Texas LRE, and Humanities Texas. I have also been a part of the TEA TEKS Educator Committee members for social studies.
