2024 Civics for All of US Teacher Institutes
Civics for All of US Teacher Institute participants pose for a group photo at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Civics for All of US Teacher Institute participants pose for a group photo at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
The application deadline has passed. Thanks to our many applicants.
The 2024 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.
Educators working with grades 3–12 are invited to apply to attend the 2024 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute with the National Archives in Washington, DC!
The institute will be offered twice: June 24–27 and July 8–11. Sessions will run from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday-Wednesday; Thursday's session will run from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
Each week, 50 educators will learn how to use National Archives holdings to teach the civic knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Participants will explore primary sources that shed light on the successes, failures, debates, and challenges in the history of our democracy. The program will also feature resources for sharing diverse perspectives and historically underrepresented voices in classroom civics lessons. This professional development experience will also highlight student voices in the Archives that demonstrate how civic participation can happen at any age.
Throughout the week, teachers will:
- Learn strategies for teaching with primary sources and making civics connections across the curriculum in hands-on sessions developed by National Archives educators across the country, including the Presidential Libraries and Center for Legislative Archives.
- Build confidence in using and accessing education resources from the National Archives, including DocsTeach and Civics for All of US.
- Experience special tours and activities within the exhibits of the National Archives Museum.
- Take part in collaborative group work and discussion with educators from across the country.
- Explore how landmarks and institutions in the nation’s capital can enhance students’ civic learning through site visits.
- Create a plan for how you will share National Archives resources with your students and colleagues and connect with the National Archives in the 2024–2025 school year.
Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. The National Archives Foundation will provide a reimbursement to help offset the cost of travel based on your geographic region. Full participation is required in order to receive the reimbursement.
Applications were accepted by the National Archives Foundation through March 15, 2024.
Teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, and library media specialists currently working with students in grades 3–12 in formal education settings in the United States.
Interested applicants will need to complete an online application hosted by the National Archives Foundation. This application will require applicants to answer a series of demographic and school related questions. Applicants will also need to answer a series of short-answer questions to explain their interest in attending the institute and how they hope the experience will impact students in their education communities. Additionally, applicants will need to upload their current resumé and one letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague at a current or former educational institution.
- Attend the three-and-a-half day teacher institute taking place June 24–27 or July 8–11, 2024 in Washington, DC.
- Create a plan for how, in the 2024–2025 school year, you will:
- Use National Archives primary sources with your students
- Share National Archives resources with your colleagues, through professional development sessions, blog posts, or conferences
- Connect with the National Archives in the 2024–2025 school year, (i.e., through onsite or distance learning programs, publishing an activity on DocsTeach.org. etc.)
- Participate in 2 online meetings with the institute cohort during the 2024-2025 school year.
The National Archives Foundation will provide a reimbursement to help offset the cost of travel based on your geographic region. Exact amounts will be communicated following acceptance to the institute. Full participation is required in order to receive the reimbursement.
The National Archives Foundation will provide breakfast and lunch on all four days of the teacher institute. Accepted applicants will be asked to make note of any specific food allergies and/or dietary restrictions in their paperwork.
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and additional meals.
The program includes active exploration of several Washington, DC, museums and landmarks. Once accepted, applicants will be asked to share accessibility needs prior to the start of the institute. Organizers will work with participants to ensure everyone can be fully engaged and attend all events.
The National Archives will provide documentation of participation, including total number of hours, for all participants.
January 23–March 15: Application Open
March 29: Applicants Notified
April 15: Deadline to Accept
Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan made opening remarks at the National Archives in Washington, DC's Civics for All of US Teacher Institute. 
Civics for All of US Teacher Institute attendees toured the National Archives rotunda in Washington, DC. 
Teacher attendees of the Civics for All of Us Teacher Institute at the National Archives in Washington, DC tour the temporary exhibit, All-American, The Power of Sports. 
The Civics for All of US Teacher Institute exposed U.S. educators to primary documents, learning tools to understand the legislative processes, and a variety of experiences designed to support and amplify education of our government processes. Here, attendees toured the National Archives rotunda in Washington, DC. 
Teacher Institute attendees participate in a classroom activity that helps students understand the legislative process.