The 2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute
Fourth of July banners hang from the Constitution Avenue side of the National Archives building in Washington, DC, on June 30, 2016, in preparation of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. NARA photo by Brogan Jackson.
Fourth of July banners hang from the Constitution Avenue side of the National Archives building in Washington, DC, on June 30, 2016, in preparation of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. NARA photo by Brogan Jackson.
The application has closed for the 2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute. Please join our mailing list to receive updates on future Civics for All of US professional development opportunities with the National Archives.
The 2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.
Teachers working with grades 3–12 are invited to apply for the inaugural Civics for All of US Teacher Institute with the National Archives in Washington, DC.
During this week-long program, 20 educators will explore how to use National Archives holdings to teach the civic knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century, with a special emphasis on media literacy. Participants will engage with primary sources to shed light on the successes, failures, debates, and challenges in the history of our democracy and discover resources for sharing diverse perspectives and historically underrepresented voices in classroom civics lessons. This professional development experience will also highlight resources for fostering civic participation at any age through examples of student voices in the archives.
Throughout the week, teachers will:
- Take part in special tours and activities within the exhibits of the National Archives Museum.
- Discover 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.
- Explore how landmarks and institutions in the nation’s capital can enhance students’ civic learning through site visits.
- Take part in collaborative group work and discussion with educators from across the country.
- Create a teaching activity that explores a big civics idea with primary sources from the National Archives.
Upon successful completion of the teacher institute, participants will receive a stipend of $2,450 provided by the National Archives Foundation. Participants will be responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements.
Applications are being accepted through March 31, 2023.
Civics for All of US is the national civic education initiative of the National Archives. As the nation’s record keeper and home of the founding documents of the United States, the National Archives is uniquely positioned to promote civic literacy and engagement. Our interactive programs draw upon the vast holdings of the National Archives to promote the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Programs are led by our educators located at National Archives sites, the Center for Legislative Archives, and Presidential Libraries across the country.
Educators 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 related to their experience teaching with primary sources and explaining their interest in attending the institute. Additionally, applicants will need to upload their current résumé and one letter of recommendation.
- Attend the five-day teacher institute July 17–21, 2023, in Washington, DC.
- Create an online DocsTeach activity or other classroom activity or lesson that uses primary sources from the National Archives to teach a big civics idea.
- Participate in 1–2 online meetings with the institute cohort during the 2023–2024 school year to share experiences teaching with National Archives resources during the year.
- Commit to sharing what you’ve learned from participating in the teacher institute through events like district-wide professional development sessions, blog posts, or conferences.
- The National Archives Foundation will award a stipend of $2,450 to each participant upon completion of the teacher institute to help cover costs associated with travel, lodging, local transportation, and meals.
- Participants are responsible for booking their own travel and lodging for the teacher institute.
- The National Archives Foundation will provide lunch on all five 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.
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.
February 6–March 31: Application Open
April 21: Applicants Notified
May 5: Deadline to Accept
July 17–21, 2023: Civics for All of US Teacher Institute
The 2023 Civics for All of US Teacher Institute is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.