Last year my contribution to this newsletter mentioned an end of trimester project in the Middle School that we were proud of.  This year, that project took off in a big way.  We were excited that Kodi Dixon, one of our outstanding Middle School educators, sought out and secured a presentation spot at the 105th Annual Conference of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), held December 4–6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  We have been able to send teachers to this event as observers and learners for several years and this year, Head of the Middle School, Chrystal Meyers accompanied Kodi, the presenter, on the trip.

Kodi shared the vision and success of Trinity’s Middle School, Living Museum.  This is an  end-of-Trimester 1 project and student favorite that she has led with enthusiasm and creativity for the past four years. In this hands-on assignment, our 7th and 8th-grade students step into the roles of influential figures from history. Working within specific chronological parameters, they research a notable person, create a costume, and prepare engaging and informative presentations . During the Living Museum event, parents and visitors travel through history in the Commons, meeting and learning directly from these characters about their lives, contributions, and lasting impact.

At the NCSS Conference, Kodi presented to a large and enthusiastic crowd of social studies educators from across the country. She spoke for nearly two hours, fielding questions and sharing practical insights as attendees continued to stream in. Her energy, creativity, and unwavering commitment to students clearly resonated—many left inspired to adapt similar experiences in their own classrooms.

In Kodi’s own words: “NCSS was an unforgettable experience. Sharing my passion for the Living Museum with educators eager to inspire their own students was both energizing and affirming. Connecting with fellow history enthusiasts from across the country is one of my absolute favorite things, and it reminded me why I love what I do.”  We are proud of Kodi for representing Trinity School of Midland so beautifully on the national stage.

During Spring Break, another social studies related activity affected our students.  Kodi Dixon, Todd Freese, his wife Melissa, Sonja Erlandson, and Terry Miller took a group of students to Washington, D.C.  Todd, who teaches The Presidents, the Civil War, and World Cultures,  is to be congratulated for completing his Masters degree in history earlier this year. Their trip was weather delayed in starting for a couple of days, but it all worked out to leave Midland on Monday.  While in D.C., the group was able to tour the Capitol with the special help from an intern with Congressman Pfluger’s office.  The group also visited the Museum of the Bible, two of the sections of the Smithsonian, the National Archives and Mount Vernon.  It was a lot to pack into a short week and they walked miles a day, but it was a great experience for all of those who made the trip. These powerful, hands-on experiences bring classroom lessons to life and deepened our students’ understanding of American history, government, and civic heritage.  This seems especially relevant in our nation's year of celebrating its 250th anniversary.