Tina Ellsworth

Dr. Tina Ellsworth serves as Assistant Professor and Secondary Social Studies Education Program Coordinator in the Department of History at the University of Central Missouri's College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences. She concurrently holds national leadership positions as President of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and Director of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Program.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Social Studies Education emphasis), University of Kansas
• M.A. in History, University of Central Missouri
• B.S. in Social Studies Education, Central Missouri State University

Dr. Ellsworth's research specializes in history education methodology, with particular expertise in pedagogical content knowledge development and primary source integration. Her work bridges academic theory and classroom practice through the Library of Congress grant program, which supports K-12 educators nationwide in implementing primary source-based instruction. She is currently co-authoring a comprehensive book on primary source teaching strategies scheduled for Fall 2026 publication.

Dr. Ellsworth maintains active grant funding through her Library of Congress directorship and national influence via her NCSS presidency. Her career trajectory spans eight years as a high school social studies teacher, economic education specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, K12 curriculum coordinator, and prior assistant professorship. She regularly presents research at national conferences and develops practical resources for social studies educators across multiple educational contexts.