Margaret Peters
CCSS 2026 ELECTION
At-Large Candidate
Margaret Peters
Bio
Margaret Lee Peters (Yurok/Karuk) is a traditional basket weaver, regalia maker, mother/grandmother and is dedicated to preserving cultural practices by learning from Elders in her family and community. Maggie is the daughter of Chris Peters, President of the Seventh Generation Fund, and Suzanne Burcell, retired Community and Economic Development Specialist, and follows in their footsteps of professional dedication to local Indigenous peoples. She has served as an educator/administrator/coach for 16 years on the Hoopa Valley Reservation and is currently in her fourth year serving as a Native American Studies and Cultural Sustaining Practices Learning Specialist in the Prevention and Intervention Department at Humboldt County Office of Education. Her educational philosophy is deeply rooted in culturally sustaining teaching, trauma informed approaches, arts integration and social emotional learning. She offers educators and youth/educational organizations professional development through a foundation of growth mindset, self compassion, and empathy to create safe learning environments where students can thrive, eventually fall in love with acquiring knowledge and as a result, always open to diverse perspectives, multilogical thinking and communal support. Learn more from her Visual Resume linked in the QR Code below. Link to visual Bio
Position Statement
I am seeking an At-Large position on the California Council for the Social Studies Board because I believe social studies education shapes what students know about the past, how they engage with one another, participate in democracy, and contribute to their communities. California has a responsibility to ensure every student has access to inquiry-driven, culturally sustaining, and historically accurate social studies instruction that reflects the full diversity of our state. Throughout my career as a teacher, administrator, professional learning facilitator, and Learning Specialist for the California Native American Studies Model Curriculum, I have worked to build partnerships among educators, Tribal Nations, community organizations, higher education, and state agencies. These experiences have reinforced my belief that the strongest educational systems are built through collaboration, authentic relationships, and a shared commitment to continuous learning. If elected, I hope to support CCSS as it strengthens engagement with educators across California, expands partnerships with cultural and community organizations, and continues to advocate for high-quality social studies education that prepares students to think critically, engage respectfully with diverse perspectives, and participate meaningfully in civic life. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that California's history is taught with honesty, complexity, and multiple perspectives while supporting educators with practical, high-quality resources that make this work accessible in every classroom. I would be honored to contribute to CCSS's restructure and help advance its mission of supporting excellent social studies education for every student in California.
What strengths will I bring to the CCSS Board of Directors?
Throughout my career, I have worked to build meaningful connections between educators, Tribal Nations, community organizations, higher education, and state agencies to improve educational outcomes for students. I believe one of my greatest strengths is collaborative leadership and bringing diverse community members together around a shared vision and helping translate that vision into practical, sustainable action. Through developing statewide curriculum, facilitating professional learning, or supporting local implementation, I enjoy creating systems that empower others and strengthen educational practice. As the Learning Specialist for California's Native American Studies Model Curriculum at the Humboldt County Office of Education, I have developed expertise in curriculum design, instructional leadership, culturally sustaining education, professional development, and statewide implementation supports. I have provided professional learning for educators, administrators, county offices of education, universities, state agencies, Tribal governments, museums, environmental organizations, and community partners throughout California. This work has given me a broad understanding of California's educational landscape, current instructional priorities, and the importance of building partnerships that extend learning beyond the classroom. My previous experience as both a teacher and administrator, along with service as a union president, has strengthened my skills in strategic planning, organizational leadership, governance, communication, and systems thinking. I enjoy listening carefully to diverse perspectives, building consensus, and approaching challenges with creativity and optimism. I believe these experiences would allow me to contribute thoughtfully to the Board's work as CCSS continues to strengthen its statewide impact and support high-quality social studies education for all students. I am particularly excited about the Board's commitment to increasing engagement, strengthening partnerships, and expanding the relevance of social studies education. I hope to contribute by helping CCSS deepen relationships with Tribal Nations, community organizations, cultural institutions, environmental partners, and educators across California while continuing to elevate diverse perspectives, inquiry-based learning, civic engagement, and culturally sustaining instructional practices. One area where I hope to continue growing is in nonprofit governance at the statewide organizational level. While I currently serve on nonprofit boards, I welcome opportunities to learn from fellow Board members who bring expertise in statewide organizational strategy, membership engagement, and long-term sustainability. I also look forward to learning from colleagues whose experiences represent educational contexts and communities different from my own, as I believe our strongest decisions emerge from diverse perspectives and collaborative leadership.