A250 Summer Teacher Seminar

America's First Principles: The Declaration of Independence is a weeklong professional development event for up to 100 K–12 teachers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. The seminar will focus on the moment it all began: the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. It will invite secondary educators to engage deeply with the ideas, events, and individuals that shaped America’s founding. The seminar will run from June 14th-19th, 2026.

Participants will examine the causes and context of independence, the writing and publication of the Declaration, and the ways in which its promises have been interpreted and debated through the centuries. Each day combines lectures from master educators, hands-on engagement with primary documents, and afternoon workshops on classroom application, including podcasting as an innovative way to bring student voice and civic engagement into the study of history. By the end of the week, participants will leave with both renewed knowledge of the founding era and practical tools to bring these lessons to life for their students.

The seminar will be open to up to 20 local teachers from the Dallas area and 80 teachers from across the United States. Acceptance includes a travel stipend, room and board, and participation in all events.

Applications will be due on March 6th, 2026 through the application process run by our partner, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of America.

Apply here.

The Center for Presidential History was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Education to host summer seminars in 2026, 2027, and 2028 for secondary educators to engage with the ideas, events, and individuals that shaped America's founding. The Center has partnered with The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to run these seminars. These seminars will be coordinated by Dr. Kaete O'Connell. Information about the grant funding by the Department of Education can be found here.