Mark J. Westpfahl - President-Elect, Minnesota Council for the Social Studies & 2020 MN HTOY

I'm excited to see the future of NCSS with Joe Schmidt guiding the way as president. Joe is committed to promoting a more meaningful social studies experience, not only for educators and students around the country, but also through collaboration and partnerships with organizations dedicated to providing educational experiences and new op

I'm excited to see the future of NCSS with Joe Schmidt guiding the way as president. Joe is committed to promoting a more meaningful social studies experience, not only for educators and students around the country, but also through collaboration and partnerships with organizations dedicated to providing educational experiences and new opportunities for growth and understanding.  Joe's experiences leading classroom instruction, combined with his understanding of governance processes during his role as a state social studies coordinator, to the various projects he has guided during various stints with organizations, will provide him with unique set of perspectives that will help him guide his fellow Board of Directors in implementing a vision to move NCSS forward.  Joe is a tireless advocate who continues to demonstrate his willingness to listen and be a part of the solution(s) as he advocates for and with social studies teachers and affiliate councils throughout the country. I look forward to working with Joe as Minnesota gears up to host the 107th NCSS Annual Conference in Minneapolis in 2027. 

 It is my honor and pleasure to endorse Joe Schmidt for NCSS President. Joe and I have known each other for about five years, and in that time I have been the fortunate to work with him professionally, attend professional development sessions that he has hosted and I have read the book that he has co-authored. In short, Joe IS social stud

 It is my honor and pleasure to endorse Joe Schmidt for NCSS President. Joe and I have known each other for about five years, and in that time I have been the fortunate to work with him professionally, attend professional development sessions that he has hosted and I have read the book that he has co-authored. In short, Joe IS social studies. His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm is evident in all he does. I can think of no better person to lead NCSS than Joe Schmidt and for these reasons, he has my sincere endorsement for NCSS president. 

 "Joe is ideally poised to be NCSS’ next president.  As a current member of the NCSS Board of Directors, Joe has shown his commitment to social studies education. In this capacity, he raises awareness to the challenges facing social studies teachers and offers solutions on how to overcome them.  He has experience navigating the labyrinth 

 "Joe is ideally poised to be NCSS’ next president.  As a current member of the NCSS Board of Directors, Joe has shown his commitment to social studies education. In this capacity, he raises awareness to the challenges facing social studies teachers and offers solutions on how to overcome them.  He has experience navigating the labyrinth that is social studies education policy, and as such, is not afraid to advocate for what is right, and challenge what is not, when it comes to the policy impact on teachers and students. Joe is charismatic, energetic and an all-around nice guy.  For these reasons, and more, I support Joe Schmidt’s candidacy for NCSS president."

  It is essential to elect the best candidates for the leadership of the National Council for the Social Studies at this moment in our history. Joe Schmidt is one of those candidates. First, Joe is a dedicated social studies educator who continually demonstrates his deep understanding and best practices of curriculum and instruction to ed

  It is essential to elect the best candidates for the leadership of the National Council for the Social Studies at this moment in our history. Joe Schmidt is one of those candidates. First, Joe is a dedicated social studies educator who continually demonstrates his deep understanding and best practices of curriculum and instruction to educators nationwide. Second, he is tireless in his enthusiasm and advocacy for social studies education in both formal and informal professional learning communities. Above all, Joe is a powerful communicator who has bridged the gap between theory and praxis, which is precisely what social studies needs during these times. Thus, I support his candidacy for President of the National Council for the Social Studies. 

 Joe Schmidt would be an outstanding leader of the National Council for the Social Studies. In Virginia, he has led numerous professional development workshops and summits, all of which have received rave reviews from our teachers. He is a vital part of both our state and national effort to create an honest and open dialogue around civics

 Joe Schmidt would be an outstanding leader of the National Council for the Social Studies. In Virginia, he has led numerous professional development workshops and summits, all of which have received rave reviews from our teachers. He is a vital part of both our state and national effort to create an honest and open dialogue around civics education, and his commitment to promoting social studies education and civil discourse is unparalleled. 

"I’ve been learning from (and laughing with Joe Schmidt) for the better part of a decade. He has one of the best social studies minds of any educator I’ve come across. His sharing of various pedagogical approaches in history and civics has impacted countless classroom teachers across the country, myself included. He is a tremendous advoca

"I’ve been learning from (and laughing with Joe Schmidt) for the better part of a decade. He has one of the best social studies minds of any educator I’ve come across. His sharing of various pedagogical approaches in history and civics has impacted countless classroom teachers across the country, myself included. He is a tremendous advocate for both the various disciplines of social studies as well as for the teaching profession. Joe has been involved in leadership in social studies at the local, state, and national level, and his commitment to our profession is beyond reproach. I offer my heartfelt endorsement for Joe Schmidt as president of the National Council of Social Studies, as he has everything needed to continue to move the organization forward in the 21st century."

Joe Schmidt lives and breathes social studies! His leadership and skills and have been on display supporting teachers and students in Maine through his work for the Department of Education and his service on the Maine Council for the Social Studies Board. With research at its center, and practice in mind, Joe has continued his work beyond

Joe Schmidt lives and breathes social studies! His leadership and skills and have been on display supporting teachers and students in Maine through his work for the Department of Education and his service on the Maine Council for the Social Studies Board. With research at its center, and practice in mind, Joe has continued his work beyond Maine to his home in Wisconsin and literally across the United States. Now with his service on the National Council for the Social Studies Board and his continued work, he remains a tireless advocate and support for educators everywhere! We are fortunate to have such a leader and innovative thinker as Joe working for us! I proudly endorse his candidacy for NCSS Board.