Why NCSS Reaffirmed My Commitment to Civics Education
<p><em>By Veronica Pitts</em></p>
<p>This year, the Bill of Rights Institute created an unforgettable experience for me during the annual National Council for the Social Studies conference in Washington, D.C. Which is a setting as powerful and symbolic as the conversations we shared there.</p>
<p>Being surrounded by thousands of like-minded educators who share my love for civics, history, and democracy reminded me why this work matters so deeply. At the same time, I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., my dream city, for the very first time. Standing in the nation’s capital, where the ideals we teach are debated, protected, and challenged every day, was both humbling and inspiring.</p>
<p>Since August, when I was named a finalist for BRI’s National Civics Teacher of the Year, my world has changed in ways I never could have imagined. That recognition reconnected me with educators and colleagues from across the country and brought national attention to Selma, a city I love dearly and proudly serve. Walking into the NCSS conference this year, I carried not only my own excitement but also the stories and voices of my students and my community.</p>
<p>Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to attend outstanding sessions led by some of the most thoughtful minds in social studies education. From innovative approaches to civic engagement to powerful discussions about teaching in a divided time, each session reinforced the urgency and importance of what we do in the classroom. The keynote speakers were equally remarkable, offering insight, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose for educators working on the front lines of democracy.</p>
<p>One of the most meaningful moments of the entire experience was connecting with my fellow recipients of the BRI Gary Colletti Scholarship. Sharing space with educators from across the country who are equally committed to civic education was both affirming and inspiring. The true highlight, however, was meeting the mother of Gary Colletti. Being able to meet the woman whose son’s name this scholarship carries was profoundly moving. It was clear that his legacy is not just being remembered, but actively built through the work of educators and students across the nation. In that moment, I felt a deep responsibility to honor that legacy by continuing to help my students become thoughtful, informed, and courageous changemakers.</p>
<p>Now more than ever, I feel charged to do this work with renewed energy and purpose. Thank you to the Bill of Rights Institute for the opportunity of a lifetime, for believing in educators, and for investing in the future of our democracy through the students we serve every day.</p>
<p><em>Veronica Pitts is a teacher at Selma High School in Selma, AL. She was named the Bill of Rights Institute’s 2025 National Civics Teacher of the Year, and she is also a recipient of BRI’s 2025 Gary Colletti Scholarship.</em></p>