2026 Spring Conference
Theme: Narratives of Our Nation: Stories, Strategies, and Skills for the Classroom
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Location: Washington State History Museum, Tacoma, WA
Registration:
Regular Attendee: $165.45 ($150 plus $15.45 sales tax)
Pre-Service Teacher: $55.15 ($50 plus $5.15 sales tax)
*Price includes the new Washington state required sales tax made by ESSB 5814 for live presentations. No additional tax will be added at checkout.
The Washington State Council for the Social Studies (WSCSS) invites you to join us for the 2026 Spring Conference at the iconic Washington State History Museum in Tacoma! This year’s theme, "Narratives of Our Nation: Stories, Strategies, and Skills for the Classroom," offers an exciting opportunity for educators to explore the enduring patterns and transformative shifts within the disciplines of Civics, Economics, Geography, History, Art, Science, and Literacy.
Event Highlights
Keynote Speaker: The Honorable G. Helen Whitener
Dynamic Sessions:
Participate in engaging sessions designed to equip educators with the tools to teach integrated and inquiry-based lessons while encouraging students to critically analyze patterns of change and continuity in our world. These sessions support professional growth across a broad range of disciplines including Civics, Economics, Geography, History, Art, Science, and Literacy to ensure a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to student learning. View our Conference Program for all of the presenter and session details.
Enjoy Breakfast & Lunch:
Registration includes a light breakfast starting at 8:30 AM (conference begins at 9:00 AM) and a catered boxed lunch (vegetarian and gluten-free options available). Please note that registration will informally close on March 6, to ensure we can accommodate everyone, we encourage you to register before this date. We need to submit the order numbers to the caterer and we cannot add orders after that date. If you register after March 6, you will need to bring your own lunch.
Clock Hours:
Attendees can earn 6 free clock hours through participation.
Free Parking:
Enjoy the convenience of complimentary parking at the venue. You must print the parking pass and place it on your dashboard. There will not be extra passes available.
Accommodations:
For out-of-town guests, the Hotel Murano and the Marriott Tacoma Downtown are offering the government rate for the conference weekend. No room block has been reserved, so please make your reservations directly with the hotel of your choice. Both hotels are conveniently located just a few blocks from the Washington State History Museum, the conference venue. When making your reservation, please inform the hotel that you are attending the WSCSS Conference at the Washington State History Museum to ensure you receive the government rate. The rooms will fill up quickly and the government rate will not be available when the room block is filled.
Appointed in 2020 and twice elected by the people of Washington, Justice Whitener brings a wealth of experience to the bench. Before joining the Supreme Court, she served as a Pierce County Superior Court Judge, held roles on the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, and presided as a pro-tem judge. Her 14-year legal career spans work as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and managing partner of her own law firm.
Justice Whitener is not only a brilliant jurist, but also a passionate educator and leader. She teaches at the National Judicial College and holds key roles on judicial committees. She currently co-chairs the Minority and Justice Commission. She also serves on the board of the International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges and is an active member of numerous legal organizations.
She has made history as the first Black woman, first Black LGBTQ+ person, and the fourth immigrant-born Justice to serve on Washington’s highest court. As a person with a disability, she is a powerful voice for human rights and justice, inspiring audiences locally and around the world.
Her accolades include the ABA Stonewall Award, the WSBA Charles Z. Smith Diversity Award, an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Puget Sound, and many more honors recognizing her commitment to equity, inclusion, and public service.
Additional Conference Information
Refund Policy:
The last day we can offer a full refund is March 6, 2026.
Please note that registration will informally close on March 6th. To ensure we can accommodate everyone, we encourage you to register before this date. We need to submit lunch registrations to our caterer. If you order after the 7th, you will need to bring your own lunch.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or require assistance leading up to the conference or on the day of the event, please don't hesitate to contact Nancy at wscssconferences@gmail.com. We are here to help and ensure your participation goes smoothly.
Register today! Click the button below to take you to our registration page!