Middle and High School Social Studies Teachers
You are invited to FREE online seminars
* Pick as many or as few as you would like
* Earn up to 16 hours of continuing education / CLD credit
* Update your social studies knowledge, curriculum, and skills
* Get free materials, lessons, and ideas to use right away in your classroom
The William E. Hewit Foundation
and
The History Department at
The University of Northern Colorado Present:
Researchers to the Rescue
a free, on-line, seminar series
for anyone who teaches social studies
What is Researchers to the Rescue?
Are you ready to make History, Current Events, Media Literacy, and Civics more effective and memorable in your classroom?
Ready to fight misinformation and disinformation?
Need the tools to teach in this new age with safety and confidence?
Join Researchers to the Rescue!
A Free Seminar Series for 6–12 Social Studies Teachers
Open to every educator, but focused on middle and high school social studies levels, Researchers to the Rescue! will help us to feel less overwhelmed by the rising tide of misinformation and the pressure to teach civics in a fast-moving digital world.
This professional development seminar series, running from Fall 2025 through Spring 2027, is designed specifically for Colorado 6–12 educators like you. Hosted by Kelly Langley-Cook (University of Northern Colorado), with guest experts in media literacy and civics education, the seminars will be held virtually via Zoom — free, flexible, and easy to attend from anywhere in the world.
and you can earn up to 16 hours of CLD/Continuing Ed. Credit!
Why It Matters:
Most social studies teachers take only one political science course in college.
Only 39% of teens received any news literacy education last year.
8 in 10 students regularly encounter conspiracy theories — and 81% believe at least one.
Nearly 40% of Americans under 30 get their news primarily from TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
As misinformation spreads and democratic participation declines, our students need tools to think critically about media, news, and current events. Researchers to the Rescue! is your opportunity to be part of the solution.
What You’ll Get:
Eight stand-alone seminars packed with practical, standards-aligned content you can use immediately in your classroom.
Free lesson plans, activities, and ready-to-go classroom resources aligned to Colorado social studies standards.
Tools to help students analyze media bias, evaluate sources, understand current events, and become informed citizens.
The chance to earn continuing education credits for license renewal.
A network of supportive colleagues and shared resources that will live on in the cloud (Google Drive) as open-access materials.
Content tailored for real classrooms with a focus on civic engagement and digital literacy.
Just one class, 2 hours or less, one time per quarter.
How It Works:
Attend just one, pick a few, or come to all eight sessions — you choose what fits your schedule.
Each seminar includes hands-on practice, collaboration, and expert-led strategies.
Expect tools you can try the very next day with your students.
Seminars are always 6pm MT on a Thursday
Join us and be part of a movement to empower students to become thoughtful, informed citizens — and bolster your confidence in teaching these critical topics.
Ready to be a part of Researchers to the Rescue? Sign up and bring clarity, confidence, and civic-minded learning into your classroom.
6pm MT Seminar Dates and Possible Topics
Choose as many or as few seminars as you like! Pick one, a few, or attend all 8!
Save the dates!
Thursdays at 6pm Mountain time
2025 (2 seminars in Fall)
September 25th - What is going on!? Teaching social studies in the current era.
November 20th - TBD
2026 (2 in Spring, 2 in Fall)
February 19th - Teaching Trump with guest speaker Dr. Fritz Fischer
April 9th - TBD
September 24th - TBD
November 26th - TBD
2027 (2 seminars in Spring)
February 18th - TBD
April 8th - TBD
Topics:
Because of the rapidly changing nature of current events and the expectations for social studies teachers each topic will be posted two weeks before the seminar date and a new invitation with details will be sent out to participants. Previous participants will be encouraged to share what they would like to learn and we will tailor sessions to your requests.
Possible topics include:
Identifying and understanding fake news
Teaching the importance of voting and voice
LGBTQ History in the Colorado state standards, lessons and ideas for every level
Understanding Executive orders, Legislation, and the “Big Beautiful Bill”
New Colorado State Standards: Black History Standards- to be adopted 2028-2029
What is Fascism and are we in danger of losing our democracy?
Teaching Current Events
Fostering Civil Discourse
Centering Primary Sources …because it’s sound and safe
What is a political party and do they matter?
YOU decide! Have an idea? Email kelly.langleycook@unco.edu
Contact Us
Reach out directly: kelly.langleycook@unco.edu
Kelly Langley Cook is a Lecturer in U.S. History and teacher educator in the Secondary Teacher Education Program at the University of Northern Colorado. With two decades of experience teaching Civics, U.S. History, World History, APUSH, AP World, and Economics in Colorado public schools, Langley Cook brings real-world classroom insight to her work with future and seasoned educators. Her passion lies in helping new teachers develop practical, inclusive, and engaging social studies classrooms.
Langley Cook has also served as an Instructional Coach since 2012 in the secondary and colligate levels, helping colleagues refine their teaching practice. This is Langley Cook’s sixth Hewit History Institute. Her goal is to bring high-quality, content-rich professional development to educators that is immediately applicable and never boring.
Langley Cook has been recognized with several honors for her teaching and equity work, including the 2025 DEI in the Classroom Award, the Sears-Helgoth Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023, and a DEI Fellowship in 2022 and 2023. A frequent presenter and grant recipient, Langley Cook’s contributions reflect her belief that every student deserves a classroom where their story matters.
