Fulbright Teachers Lead the Way in Teaching U.S. History and Civics

As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, educators across the country are helping students to reflect on the nation’s past, understand its present, and imagine its future. Among the most passionate of these are Fulbright Teacher Exchanges alumni—highly qualified educators who advance America’s national interests abroad and return to U.S. classrooms to prepare future generations with the skills and knowledge to succeed and lead in the workplace.

From exploring what it means to be an American to strengthening civic knowledge and engagement, these educators demonstrate how international exchange enriches teaching and learning about the United States. As Freedom 250 activities unfold nationwide, Fulbright alumni are shaping the conversation.

The Fulbright community is proud to showcase how our educators work to promote the ideals of democracy, inspire service in local communities, and celebrate the resilience of the United States. On this page, find stories of Fulbright Teachers commemorating Freedom 250 across the United States and resources for K-12 educators to help educate, engage, and unite us as a nation.

Fulbright alumnus and social studies teacher Casey Cullen (U.S. to India) has directly contributed to the nation’s Semiquincentennial commemoration. As a special commissioner for the Massachusetts 250 commission, Cullen helped guide statewide planning and public engagement efforts. His international teaching perspective—honed through his Fulbright Teacher Exchange to India—strengthens the Commission’s work to reflect on Massachusetts’ foundational role in American democracy.

Visiting international Fulbright Teachers from around the world gained insight into the complexity of American identity through the “Bells Across Pennsylvania” arts initiative at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. This experience offered a powerful window into how local history, culture, and civic spirit are expressed through creative work. Other participants also completed the Indiana County 1776 GeoTrail, a unique trail featuring 12 geocaches placed at historically significant sites from the late 1700s. Both of these interactive experiences deepened participants’ understanding of American history and how U.S. communities use art and experiential education to remember and celebrate shared histories.

From rural Arkansas, Jessica Culver (U.S. to Canada) ensures her students are able to deepen their understanding of America’s role in the world. Through programs with the National Constitution Center, the Albert H. Small Normandy Institute, and Fund for Teachers, Culver has brought national heritage, civic learning, and global awareness directly into her classroom. She has expanded what students believe is possible and how they see themselves as future participants in democracy.

Fulbright alumnus Michael Lowry (U.S. to Singapore), a science educator from Tennessee, is currently serving an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow—one of the nation’s most prestigious opportunities for STEM teachers. Through his placement at the Library of Congress, he will contribute to national STEM education priorities while supporting the Library’s civic and historical education initiatives. His work highlights how science, history, and civic identity intersect in the institutions that preserve America’s story.

Maryland elementary school librarian Melaney Sanchez (U.S. to France) is dedicated to helping young learners build an authentic understanding of U.S. history. Drawing on her Fulbright experience in France, she designs opportunities for students to explore America’s past through primary sources, storytelling, and hands-on learning. By connecting classroom lessons with real historical narratives, Sanchez has ensured her students can recognize themselves in the nation’s story while also seeing how that story is understood around the world.

Looking for other ways to engage with Freedom 250 in your classroom? The Freedom 250 Teacher Toolkit features low-cost, high-impact ways to celebrate the Nation’s 250th birthday in K-12 schools.  America’s Field Trip provides lesson plans and resources for teachers of grades 3-12, in addition to a chance for students to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. Other U.S. Government agencies and institutions offering free educator resources include the National Museum of American Diplomacy, National Park Service, and Smithsonian Institution.