Oceanside’s Social Studies superstar Mitch Bickman honored with prestigious award

Mitch Bickman, the Social Studies Director for the Oceanside School District, has been honored with the Outstanding Social Studies Supervisor/Chairperson Award. This accolade recognizes his exceptional contributions to social studies education and his innovative approach to teaching history and civics.

Bickman received the award at a ceremony hosted by the Long Island Council for Social Studies. The honor comes as a testament to his dedication and the significant impact he has had on both his colleagues and students.

“It was a really nice surprise and a great honor to receive this award,” Bickman said. “I believe this award is truly reflective of my colleagues. I’m very fortunate to work in a phenomenal district with really talented teachers.”

This is not the first time Bickman has been recognized for his outstanding work. He previously won the New York State Social Studies Supervisor of the Year award, highlighting his consistent excellence and leadership in the field. One of Bickman’s recent notable achievements is the successful organization of the “Week of Celebration of Democracy.” This initiative aimed to provide students with a hands-on experience of the democratic process.

“We had students come up to the library, where they signed in as if they were going through an actual voter poll, received a paper ballot, and voted for their class officers,” Bickman explained.

This initiative was designed to underline the importance of voting and civic engagement. In addition to the mock elections, the school hosted an exhibit funded by a grant from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. The exhibit, titled “Why We Vote,” featured lifesize placards detailing the history of voting in America. The highlight of the week was the registration of the entire junior class to vote, a first-time experience that left a significant impression on the students.

“It was just it was a nice moment,” Bickman said. “They had obviously a lot of questions for the first time but, we helped them get through the process and they’ll be future voters in our country.”

Bickman’s approach to social studies education is student-centered. He focuses on providing authentic learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

“We really do look for authentic opportunities for students where it can mirror the world they are studying,” Bickman said. He emphasizes the development of historical thinking skills, such as perspective, corroboration, and sourcing, which are essential for navigating today’s complex world. “One of our big areas is the application of knowledge to ensure that what we’re teaching doesn’t stay in the confines of the four walls. We bring it into students’ lives, into their communities and really into the world.”

Bickman also encourages his colleagues to take risks and try new methods in their teaching.

“My advice would be to take risks, look to try things out even if they might fail, because it’s what we want to model with students – having that growth mindset,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Bickman is excited about the upcoming presidential election year and plans to build on the success of the recent democracy celebration. He is exploring the idea of a civic community partnership day at the middle school level and other initiatives to further engage students in the democratic process.

“Our goal is to continue to provide students with both authentic educational experiences and authentic audiences,” Bickman shared.

Bickman stays current in his field through extensive reading, attending conferences, and engaging with professional networks. He is an active member of the Long Island Directors Group for Social Studies, which meets regularly to discuss developments and share best practices. Bickman’s connection to Oceanside is both professional and personal. He has been part of the community since 2011 and has four children who attend Oceanside schools.

“I believe in the school so much that we moved our family from Long Beach to here,” he said.

With over 20 years of experience in education, Bickman’s journey began as a classroom teacher, a role he cherished but still occasionally returns to as a professor at Molloy University.

“I do miss being in the classroom, but I still get the opportunity to teach at the college level and any chance I get I’ll, pop into the classroom and if I can, teach mini-lesson here or there,” he said.

Bickman expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, students, and the community.

“Thank you to my colleagues, students, and families. I’m so fortunate to work in such a phenomenal district,” he said. “Social studies is not something that exists in the past. It’s something that impacts our everyday lives. It’s a skill set we need to navigate our world, and it’s our responsibility as citizens to participate in democracy today.”