New York City Public Schools Launches Educator Institute For Nation’s 250th Anniversary
‘Teaching America 250: Voices Then, Voices Now’ is built in partnership with NYC cultural institutions
Institute will expand existing social studies resources and enhance civics education
NEW YORK – Today, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels celebrated the nation's 250th anniversary by introducing a five-day educator institute focused on the history, ideals, and enduring significance of the American founding. This institute, hosted by the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Department of Social Studies and Civics, marks America’s Semi quincentennial and builds on the NYCPS’ commitment to civic engagement.
“To raise the next generation of New Yorkers to lead with compassion, curiosity and a commitment to one another, we must equip educators with the tools they need to bring history to life. That is what 'Teaching America 250: Voices Then, Voices Now' is about,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Developed in partnership with the cultural institutions that preserve stories too often forgotten in our nation's history, this institute prepares students for lifelong civic engagement.”
"At New York City Public Schools, we believe it is essential to foster civic engagement and to empower our students to become active, informed participants in their communities," said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. "That starts with studying our country's past and reflecting on its present. Designed in partnership with preeminent cultural institutions, ‘Teaching America 250: Voices Then, Voices Now’ will provide our educators with valuable opportunities to strengthen their instructional practices and equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make a meaningful impact."
Using the theme ‘Voices Then, Voices Now’, this teacher institute kicks off a year-long series of professional learning and resource development that will build upon the existing foundation of culturally-responsive social studies materials, including NYCPS’ Passport to Social Studies curriculum and Hidden Voices curricular resources. Daily workshops will focus on topics within the themes of the NYCPS Civics for All curriculum: Foundations of American Government, Rights and Responsibilities, the Role of the Individual, Power and Politics, and Active engagement.
The educator institute will allow the City’s educators to explore the nation's history, build deeper content knowledge, and develop instructional strategies to engage students. Throughout the 2026-2027 school year, the department will also design professional learning, create a variety of lesson plans and curricular resources, an America 250 comics anthology, and support student projects to commemorate the United States Semi quincentennial.
“We're excited to partner with the New York City Department of Education on their 250th initiative and welcome educators to our new Tang Wing for American Democracy,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO, The New York Historical. “With our brand new state-of-the-art classrooms and extensive collection of art and historical objects, The New York Historical is uniquely positioned as a center for education, particularly as we focus on better understanding the American Revolution and the founding ideals of democracy our nation established in 1776.”
“As both an important site in American history and one of the nation's largest public research libraries devoted to Black diasporic history, the Schomburg Center is excited to partner with the New York City Department of Education for their America 250 initiative,” said Joy Bivins, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. “Together, we hope to foster essential conversations about our nation's history and civic engagement as we welcome NYC educators to experience our world-class collections firsthand. Access to knowledge is not just our mission, but a cornerstone of democracy, and the Schomburg Center has served our nation and beyond for over 100 years in documenting, protecting, and exploring Black culture, literature, art, and life.”
“The Tenement Museum is honored to mark the 250th Anniversary of the United States together with NYC Public Schools,” said President of the Tenement Museum, Annie Polland. “Teachers, our most important partners, will experience the Museum’s stories of everyday immigrant and migrant families, and consider how stories of everyday New Yorkers, past and present, shape American history.”
“The Brooklyn Museum has a rich history of convening educators through impactful, forward-thinking programs, and we are honored to work with the New York City Department of Education to host this educator institute,” said Shamilia McBean Tocruray, Director of Education, K-12 & Intergenerational, Brooklyn Museum. “Acknowledging this moment through critical reflection on our educational practice echoes the Museum's broader Drawing America: US@250 initiative, which honors those who have envisioned a more equitable future, advanced the promise of democracy, and continue that work today.”
“The 250th anniversary of the United States is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how our shared history continues to shape the city and nation we live in today,” said Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, Ronay Menschel Director and President, Museum of the City of New York. “At the Museum of the City of New York, we believe that engaging with history sparks curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful civic participation. We are proud to partner with New York City Public Schools and our fellow cultural institutions to equip educators with the resources and perspectives they need to help students explore the many voices that have shaped America’s story—and to inspire them to see themselves as authors of its future.”
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Contact Chancellor’s Press Office: press@schools.nyc.gov