Georgette's Biography:
Georgette Hackman is a 7th grade social studies teacher and middle level social studies department chair at Cocalico Middle School in Denver, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State University. As the recipient of the distinguished James Madison Fellowship in 2015, she recently completed a second master’s degree in American History & Government from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Georgette works as a Master Teacher for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and has been a Ford’s Theatre National Oratory Fellow since 2012. In 2016, Georgette received the BP Lincoln Teacher Leadership award from Ford’s Theatre for work with oratory education in her school. She has authored multiple lesson plans and units of study for a variety of educational institutions nationwide. In addition to her many professional development pursuits, Georgette has served as a board member of the National Council for the Social Studies and the Middle States Council for the Social Studies and has been a PCSS Board Member since 2011. Finally, Georgette was a 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalist and was named 2017 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year in Pennsylvania and was one of the 10 finalists for the national award. She resides in Lancaster County with her husband Mitch and her children, Molly and Ian. In her spare time she loves to read and travel.
Position Statement:
The biggest issue in social studies today is that society is now reaping the consequences of the last decade’s education trends that de-emphasized the importance of the teaching of social studies in our nation’s schools. Lack of civic knowledge and civic engagement has reached epidemic proportions. We live in a world where truth and logic are shunned in favor of bombast and rhetoric. Sound bites have replaced analysis and civil discourse has lost all civility. What is the cure for this malady? A solid K-12 education that includes social studies as a core subject that is allotted as much time and importance as science, technology and math. Here in Pennsylvania, we have the potential to stand on the forefront of this mission and unite with teachers across the nation to speak out for our content and for our students. PCSS has the ability to provide teachers with the tools to educate and advocate for our subject, thus empowering the Commonwealth’s teachers to rise and meet this current challenge. Our job is to create future leaders who appreciate and understand the unfinished work that freedom and liberty demands. In Pennsylvania and throughout our nation, we need to teach as though our democracy depends upon it, because it does. Our students deserve nothing less. I would love to take what I’ve learned as a board member with NCSS and use that insight to guide Pennsylvania through this next chapter in social studies education.