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 Exchange 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.

Through Fulbright Teacher Exchanges, elementary and secondary educators develop their educational practice and bring global knowledge, skills and perspectives to their schools. They prepare their students to be future leaders, equipped to work with others around the world to address global challenges.

As Freedom 250 activities unfold nationwide, Fulbright alumni are shaping the conversation. From exploring what it means to be an American to strengthening civic knowledge and engagement, these K-12 educators demonstrate how international exchange enriches teaching and learning about the United States. 

Bringing American history to life

As a special commissioner for the Massachusetts 250 commission, Fulbright alumnus and social studies teacher Casey Cullen (United States to India) directed statewide planning for the 250th anniversary celebration. He advised on civic education curricula, shared program events and resources with his fellow teachers, supported special exhibits on historical events and figures,  and planned celebratory festivals. 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 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 (United States to Canada) helps her students deepen their understanding of America’s role in the world. Through her research and 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. As a participant and grant recipient, she researched local WWII veterans and the economic success of New England agricultural communities while promoting civil engagement. In doing so, she has expanded what her students believe is possible and how they see themselves as future participants in democracy.

Shaping teaching and learning from the nation's capital

Fulbright alumnus Michael Lowry (United States 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 (United States 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.

Explore U.S. history teaching resources

Are you 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.

Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are programs of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by IREX.

This article originally appeared on the Fulbright Teacher Exchanges website.