Scott teaches American History and American Government at Central High School in Grand Junction. He has been teaching social studies for 26 years. He was the K-12 social studies curriculum specialist for D51 Mesa County for three years, but has since returned to the classroom. Scott struggled as a student with a learning disability, and he has always valued working with students with learning challenges. Scott is passionate about improving the quality of education for students with learning differences. Scott holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Montana and he earned a master's degree in history through the Pace University-Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History. When not teaching, he loves running, biking, fly fishing, and cheering on his daughter's marching band.

Jenny is currently the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator and Secondary Literacy Coordinator for St. Vrain Valley Schools in Longmont and spent 16 years prior to this position teaching 6-12 social studies. She has taught courses to current and pre-service teachers at CU Denver and Metropolitan State University in Denver. Curriculum development is one of Jenny’s passions, and she has published numerous books, articles, and resources on this topic. Jenny just received her doctorate in Educational Studies from UNC and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Economic Literacy Colorado. When not writing curriculum or supporting teachers, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband and three children in the mountains of Colorado and traveling to different places around the world.

Cassie is currently a Social Studies Coordinator for Adams 12. She has taught since 2011, most recently teaching AP United States History and Government at Lakewood High School. She studied History and Psychology at the University of Rochester, where she went on to earn her Master’s in Social Studies and Inclusive Education. She recently finished a "for fun" Master's in American History through Pace/GLI. Prior to moving to Colorado in 2017, she worked in a rural district near Syracuse, NY, served on her local council, and worked on the test development committee for New York State during the Regents re-design. Cassie has served on the CCSS board since the fall of 2018. She has been helping to organize the CCSS conference since 2019 and was elected secretary in 2020. Cassie and her husband are parents to two wonderful young boys, Remi and Finn, and and have been really enjoying the adventures of parenthood. In their spare time, they enjoy mountain biking, hiking, backcountry skiing with their border collie, Scooch, and traveling - the best trips have been the Salkantay Trek in Peru, their honeymoon in the Azores, and the mountain biking world cup race in Fort William, Scotland.

Stephanie is the Social Studies Content Specialist at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and has served on the CCSS board as CDE representative for the past 11 years. She is a member of the Standards and Instructional Support (SIS) Team whose duties include, among other things, providing support for the implementation of the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS). Stephanie has worked at the state level as a social studies content specialist for over 17 years. Her first state level job was with the Nevada Department of Education. Prior to that, Stephanie taught high school social studies for thirteen years in both Everett, WA and Reno, NV. She has also taught elementary and secondary education courses at the Metropolitan State University Denver and the University of Nevada Reno. Stephanie holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada Reno, as well as a master’s degree in Integrated Curriculum from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies from the University of Northern Colorado. For fun, Stephanie enjoys flyfishing, reading, scrapbooking, and hanging out with family and friends.

Kent Willmann spent 31 years preparing young citizens by teaching high school social studies in Longmont Colorado. He taught an integrated English/History class in which he used performance assessment extensively to reach all kind of kids. The next 10 years were devoted to developing the next generation of teachers at CU Boulder. Currently he works as a trainer and curriculum writer for the Colorado Municipal League's, Lessons on Local Government. Professional development in standards-based education, media literacy, local government and writing across the curriculum is part of his work with teachers. He has had dozens of student teachers and is currently a nationally calibrated edTPA scoring supervisor. A former Hoosier and longtime hoops fan, he loves NCAA tournament time. You can catch him in the morning riding his bike making photos of abandoned couches, in the afternoon working in the garden, and in the evening at the poker table (anybody want to play?)

Elizabeth is an adjunct professor of social studies at the University of Colorado Denver and works as the Program Manager for TEACH Colorado. She served as the CCSS President from 2018-2022, and has been on the board since 2009. She taught 8-12 grade social studies for thirteen years. Elizabeth holds a Masters of Arts from the Teachers' College at Columbia University, where she also completed her work as a James Madison fellow for the state of Colorado, and a Bachelor's Degree from Lake Forest College in Illinois. She loves to run, do yoga, and spend time with her wild one-year-old.

Chris Elnicki is a product of immigrants drawn to Colorado soil by opportunities to farm, ranch, and mine. He has 36 years of experience as an educator, servicing three districts and a wide range of learners, from preschoolers to adults. During the larger portions of this time, Chris was a 6-12 Social Studies Teacher and most recently supported the teachers and students of Cherry Creek Schools as their K-12 Social Studies Coordinator. He is a Past President of the Colorado Council for the Social Studies, Past President and current Outreach and Operations Coordinator for the National Social Studies Supervisors Association, the 2012 Colorado Social Studies Educator of the Year, a James Madison Memorial Fellow, and received his MA degree from the University of Colorado Denver in History and Political Science, with an emphasis on the Constitution, public land, and the West. He is married to a K-5 Grade Teacher and they have two adult children. Chris seeks out wilderness experiences during all seasons and finds great solace wading in streams, waving a stick, and exploring the aquatic world beneath the water’s surface. He is currently the Executive Director of the Colorado Center for Civic Learning and Engagement and has been a member of the CCSS board since 2000.

A social studies teacher since 1983, Anton has been teaching in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) program at William J. Palmer High School in Colorado Springs since 1992. While a majority of his career at Palmer has been teaching in the IB program, he is the IB Middle Years coordinator for Palmer. Anton helps to sponsor the Gay-Straight-Trans Alliance at school and enjoys the diversity and history of the school. He has been a member of the CCSS board for the past 20 years and have served in a variety of capacities including president. Anton served as the National Council for the Social Studies president for the 2021-22 school year, and is the immediate past president of NCSS. When not teaching and leading, he loves white-water rafting, reading, cooking and bicycling. He is also a men's lacrosse official and officiates college, high school and youth lacrosse games.

Kara Casini hails originally from Chicago, Illinois. She attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois and graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in history and social science secondary education. While living in Illinois, Kara worked at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park as a Public Program Coordinator/Museum Education then later left to teach AP US History, Advanced US History, and Sociology in the Chicago suburbs. In 2014, Kara and her husband left the hustle and bustle of Chicago and traded it in for the Rocky Mountains! Kara currently works within Cherry Creek School District at Eaglecrest High School teaching AP Human Geography and World History/World Geography. Professionally, Kara has presented her research at the Illinois State Historical Society Annual Symposium, the Council for American Studies Education Annual Conference, the Colorado Council for Social Studies Conference, and the National Council for Social Studies Conference! This past year, Kara wrote an AP Human Geography test bank for Colorado Geographic Alliance and it will later be offered for purchase through National Council for Geographic Education. Kara has her master’s degree in integrated curriculum with an emphasis in instructional leadership. She has been a board member of CCSS since September of 2017. She has served on the conference committee and represented CCSS as a House of Delegates member at the annual NCSS conference. In her spare time, Kara enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her husband and their two year old Australian Shepherd named Kaia.

A Colorado native, Christy Howard is a first-grade teacher in Colorado Springs. She is passionate about engaging her young students with the stories of amazing individuals that have shaped our history. She also loves to travel with her husband and stuffed rabbit, Moffat, to gather photos to hook her students into geography lessons. She was the 2017 Gilder Lehrman History of the Year and has served on the NCSS Trade Book Review Committee.

Jessica Lamphere is a clinical instructor in the College of Education at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where she teaches social studies methods courses and works with pre-service teachers. Prior to that, Jessica taught third, fourth and sixth grade but most enjoyed teaching fourth grade social studies as part of a departmentalized team. She holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from UCCS and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as traveling, running, and yoga.

Sam is in her 13th year of teaching social studies at Rangeview High School in Aurora Public Schools in which she teaches African American Studies, Civics, U.S. History, & a CCA Concurrent Enrollment course in American Government. She is a team lead for RHS’ Equity Team, trains student teachers through MSU Denver, and is a co-sponsor for the school’s Comic Book & Graphic Novel Club. She received her Master’s degrees from the University of Colorado at Denver in Education & Human Development in 2017 and then in Political Science in 2021. She has attended numerous summer seminars over the years thanks to the Gilder Lehrman Institute, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other social studies organizations which have enhanced her teaching practices for her classroom. She is the 2018 Colorado recipient for the James Madison Fellowship, a current member of the National Constitution Center’s Advisory Council, & was a member of the 2021-2022 Social Studies Standards Review Committee for High School U.S. History. In her spare time, Sam is a passionate bibliophile who also loves to hike, search out new coffee shops, and spend time with her husband and their cat, Tycho.

Originally from Wisconsin, Tony moved to Castle Pines, Colorado in 2013. He has served as a secondary Social Studies teacher, an assessment specialist, an instructional coach, and a Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for Denver Public Schools. His current passion and work involves developing inquiry-based K-8 Social Studies curriculum materials and professional learning experiences. He earned his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Suzanne Neufeld has been teaching middle school social studies for 17 years in Littleton and Jeffco. Her professional interests lie in curriculum and instruction, equity, literacy and teacher advocacy. In the classroom she has a passion for civic education, geography, historical inquiry, and experiential learning. She has served on the CDE Standards Revision Committee, the LPS standards based grading cadre, LPS Restart remote learning committee, PLC steering committee, equity committee, and as an association rep for LEA. She currently teaches 8th grade US History and stagecraft and co-directs the theatre program at Euclid Middle School. Suzanne is very excited to amplify teacher voice and advocate for all social studies learners throughout the state! She holds a BA from Grinnell College in political science and an MA in Secondary Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction from CU Boulder.

Mary is currently the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum, Secondary ELA, Multilingual Learners, and Title VI Coordinator for Fountain-Fort Carson School District. She spent 19 years teaching multiple subjects ranging from 1-11 grades. She is currently working on developing and integrating inquiry based education to support Multilingual Learners in Social Studies.

Amanda Escheman currently teaches 7th and 8th grade Humanities at Challenge School (G/T Magnet) in Cherry Creek School District. While not originally from Colorado, Amanda got here as quickly as she could, moving to Colorado from Texas in the late 1900’s (1998 to be exact). She earned a BA in Philosophy with a Minor in Religious Studies, magna cum laude, at CU Boulder, then went on to receive an MA in Education and Human Development from CU Denver where she is presently pursuing her PhD in Education and Human Development, Critical Studies in Education. Before joining the CCSS board, Amanda previously served on the Board of Directors for the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and was a policy fellow for Colorado Teach Plus where she advocated for education policy changes at the Colorado legislature. When not teaching or writing, Amanda can be found scavenging for historical artifacts at antique malls or taking a jaunt around the neighborhood with her wife Michelle and their dogs, Toulouse and Leo.

Jessica is a 5th grade teacher in Denver Public Schools. Originally from Southern California, Jessica has been teaching 5th and 6th grade for the last 8 years within LAUSD and DPS. She is the social studies lead at her current school, where she helps lead PD for other teachers. Jessica is currently getting her PhD at the University of Colorado Denver, with a focus in social studies education. In her free time, Jessica loves everything soccer (playing, coaching, watching… Go Chelsea!). She also enjoys exploring the city, camping and outdoor adventures, and just hanging at home watching a good show or getting lost in a book.

Tyson Emborg currently serves as a curriculum coordinator for the Douglas County School District. He has 23 years of teaching experience at the Middle School and High School levels primarily focused on courses covering U.S. History and U.S. Government. Emborg is a 2005 James Madison Fellow and National Board Certified teacher. He has extensive experience competing in the We the People program, has served multiple years as a Master Teacher for NEH workshops focused on Japanese American incarceration at Heart Mountain (WY), and also as a mentor teacher through the Center for Civic Education's James Madison Legacy Project initiatives.

Karen Waples has taught since 1999 and works at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, Colorado. She teaches AP United States Government and Politics and AP Comparative Government and Politics. Karen has presented several times at the Colorado Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference. Karen is the author of Comparative Government: Stories of the World for the AP Course and co-author of American Government: Stories of a Nation for the AP Course. She received the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education in 1997 and was recognized as a Cherry Creek High School teacher of the year in 2002. Karen was a trial attorney from 1985-1989.