Beyond America’s 250th: UC Irvine Bring Founding Ideas into Today’s Classrooms
September 1, 2026
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The United States marked 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence this summer. At UC Irvine, 29 middle and high school teachers are making sure the conversation continues long after the anniversary.
The teachers are the inaugural cohort of the Teaching the Declaration of Independence at 250: Fellows Program, a year-long professional learning experience led by the UC Irvine School of Education’s Teacher Academy through the Fortifying Liberty's Legacy: Cultivating Informed Citizens Through History and Innovation grant program. |
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The cohort represents 10 school districts across Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties, with teachers working with students in grades 7-12.
The fellowship began June 22-25 with a four-day institute at UC Irvine. Teachers explored the Declaration of Independence and other foundational documents with scholars who brought different perspectives to the history, from the experiences of Black and Indigenous The institute brought together scholars and historians including Jessica Millward, Sharon Block and Caroline Winterer, as well as historian and curator Emily Sneff, who explored the Declaration through historical, cultural and international lenses.
For the Fellows, those conversations quickly turned toward their own classrooms.
“When people interact with the Declaration of Independence, they often leave impacted, resonating with the ideals and then moved to action,” one Fellow reflected. “This makes me think about how to support my students to interact with the Declaration and give them space to create ideas.”
That connection between teacher learning and student learning is at the heart of the program. Fellows are developing strategies to help students closely read primary sources, evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives and discuss complex ideas about American history and civic life. And the work didn’t end with the summer institute.
The fellowship began June 22-25 with a four-day institute at UC Irvine. Teachers explored the Declaration of Independence and other foundational documents with scholars who brought different perspectives to the history, from the experiences of Black and Indigenous The institute brought together scholars and historians including Jessica Millward, Sharon Block and Caroline Winterer, as well as historian and curator Emily Sneff, who explored the Declaration through historical, cultural and international lenses.
For the Fellows, those conversations quickly turned toward their own classrooms.
“When people interact with the Declaration of Independence, they often leave impacted, resonating with the ideals and then moved to action,” one Fellow reflected. “This makes me think about how to support my students to interact with the Declaration and give them space to create ideas.”
That connection between teacher learning and student learning is at the heart of the program. Fellows are developing strategies to help students closely read primary sources, evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives and discuss complex ideas about American history and civic life. And the work didn’t end with the summer institute.
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Throughout the 2026-27 academic year, Fellows will return to UC Irvine for four additional workshops. Each teacher will also develop and teach a lesson centered on the Declaration of Independence and other foundational documents, bringing what they've learned directly into their classrooms.
The program will culminate in a Spring 2027 showcase at UC Irvine, where Fellows will share their lessons, reflect on what they learned and examine the impact on their students. The larger goal extends well beyond America’s 250th anniversary. By investing in teachers and giving them new ways to bring history to life, the UC Irvine Teacher Academy is helping students understand the ideas that shaped the nation, ask thoughtful questions about them and develop the skills to participate in civic life. The anniversary marked 250 years. The work in these classrooms is about what comes next. Learn more: https://teacheracademy.uci.edu/fortifying-libertys-legacy/ |
