04/22/2026
One of the defining strengths of SUNY Cortland’s History Department is its long-standing commitment to preparing future social studies teachers through the Adolescence Education: Social Studies dual major. Each spring, more than 30 student teachers complete placements across Central New York, New York City, and Long Island, acquiring gain hands-on classroom experience while engaging their students in rich historical thinking and analysis.
Beyond their work in the classroom, Cortland’s social studies teacher candidates are also getting involved in professional organizations across the state. On March 5, 22 social studies teacher candidates traveled to Binghamton to participate in the New York State Council for the Social Studies (NYSCSS) Pre-Service Teacher Night, held in conjunction with the organization’s annual conference. Designed specifically for undergraduate social studies education majors, the event offers opportunities for networking and professional opportunities as they prepare to enter the field.
Alongside students from colleges and universities across the state, Cortland students engaged in conversations with school administrators and NYSCSS board members on topics ranging from classroom management to navigating the job market. The annual event is organized by Tim Potts, NYSCSS treasurer and a 1990 graduate of SUNY Cortland’s social studies education program who teaches at Monticello High School, and Dr. Kristi Fragnoli, associate professor emerita of education at Siena College. Potts and Fragnoli are co-editors of A Classroom with Purpose: A Guide to Teaching Social Studies (National Council for the Social Studies, 2025) and are eager to involve more undergraduate students into the organization, providing relevant professional development for future teachers.
The event began with a workshop on artificial intelligence in the social studies classroom, led by NYSCSS Technology Committee chair Ed Finney. A technology integration specialist at Schodack Central School District and the 2020 New York History Teacher of the Year, Finney guided students through a series of discussions on the realities of navigating AI in education and shared practical strategies for integrating emerging technologies as teaching and learning tools.
The program also included a series of round-table discussions on preparing for the job market. Led by principals and superintendents from across the state, these sessions offered practical guidance on networking, applying for teaching jobs, and preparing for interviews.
Julia Peters, a senior history & SST dual major and student teacher at Vestal High School, was among the 22 students who attended the event. “It was a great experience!” she said, adding that her “biggest takeaway from this event was all of the interview tips and insights the speakers gave us, especially how to show personality and stand out in an interview.”
Dr. Tyson Luneau, assistant professor of history at SUNY Cortland and a member of NYSCSS’s higher education commission, also attended and participated in round-table discussions. He emphasized the value of the event for future social studies teachers “In addition to engaging professional development opportunities,” Luneau said, “the pre-service teacher event offers outstanding networking opportunities with administrators and teachers from across the state, some of whom discussed potential openings in their districts. Students received authentic, practical advice for building a career in education.”
As part of their participation, students were granted free admission to the full NYSCSS annual convention, which includes dozens of workshops and round-tables on a range of issues in social studies education, as well as a complimentary one-year membership in the organization.
Next year’s NYSCSS Pre-Service Teacher Night will be held on March 10, 2027, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. “I look forward to continuing this partnership with NYSCSS and providing more networking opportunities for our social studies education majors,” said Dr. Luneau.