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A Practical Framework for Observation and Growth in the Social Studies Classroom
Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST
Presented by Natacha Scott, Former Teacher, Current Director of Educator Engagement, iCivics; Christina Ross, Former Teacher, Current Director of Business Development, iCivics; and Sarah Hurd, K–12 Social Studies Coordinator, Jeffco Public Schools (CO)
Sponsored by iCivics
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
What does truly excellent, inquiry-based social studies instruction actually look like in action? And how can teachers and administrators get on the same page in a way that feels supportive, not evaluative?
Join this edWebinar with the iCivics team for a practical conversation as they introduce a clear, focused framework that shifts the purpose of observation and self-reflection from “Am I teaching the right way?” to “Are my students learning and developing independence?”
Whether you are a teacher looking to self-identify strengths, an instructional coach facilitating peer observations, or an administrator leading coaching conversations, this session equips you with a shared language to foster a culture of continuous improvement. You leave with an actionable toolkit for building reflective practices in any inquiry-based social studies, civics, or history classroom.
In this edWebinar, you learn how to:
- Use a shared, non-evaluative framework to identify instructional practice
- Focus observations and coaching conversations on four key domains: Culture for Inquiry, High-Quality Sources, Questions & Tasks, and Student Ownership
- Structure self-reflection and peer observations that are positive and growth oriented
- Translate observation insights into clear, actionable next steps for professional growth
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Natacha Scott is the Director of Educator Engagement for iCivics. As the Director of Educator Engagement, Natacha focuses on growing the engagement of educators in person and virtually through professional development sessions, curricula, and other experiences. This focus provides the opportunity to learn from and with educators in order to continue to evolve the work of iCivics. Prior to joining iCivics, Natacha was an educator at Boston Public Schools for 14 years, serving a variety of roles from elementary classroom teacher to the district K-12 Director for History and Social Studies. She is passionate about place-based learning and engaging educators in meaningful learning experiences that can immediately translate into the classroom.
Christina Ross joined iCivics in 2021 and is now the Director of Business Development. She brings extensive experience in curriculum design, classroom teaching, and education policy. Previously, at Baltimore City Public Schools, she launched and led the BMore Me initiative, a multi-faceted, community-responsive social studies curriculum. Her work is informed by nearly 12 years as an award-winning social studies teacher and her time on Capitol Hill, where she crafted education policy for the late Senator Paul Wellstone and for Senator Tammy Baldwin. A passionate advocate for inclusive civics, Christina spoke on a panel at President Obama’s United State of Women conference in 2017. She enjoys live music, reading, and walking around her beloved Baltimore with her rescued dog, Caroline.
Sarah Hurd serves as the K–12 Social Studies Coordinator for Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado. With 27 years in education and 12 years in her current role, she leads districtwide efforts to strengthen social studies instruction and curriculum development. Sarah’s work centers on fostering diverse and equitable education and equipping educators with effective instructional practices that inspire civic understanding and engagement.
She has led the iCivics Inquiry to U.S. History initiative from its inception, now in its fifth year, and continues to advance the iCivics Pathway work within Jeffco. A frequent presenter at national and international conferences—including NCSS, CCSS, and the International Conference on Learning—Sarah is dedicated to building the next generation of civic leaders through purposeful, inquiry-based learning.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the K-12 Social Studies and Civics community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Founded in 2009 by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing civic learning by providing educators and students with the knowledge and skills needed to embrace and engage in our civic life together. From educational games and short-form materials to comprehensive inquiry-based curricula, our engaging resources encourage students to interact with complex concepts in ways they can understand and relate to. With a library of 300+ free, high-quality, and customizable resources, we have just what you need to spark student interest and engagement in civics.
