George C. Marshall Teachers Institute 2026
George C. Marshall and the Early Cold War
“I will say that it is apparent to me that a wide knowledge of history is basic for a successful democracy.”
Secretary of State George C. Marshall, June 1947
The George C. Marshall Foundation is hosting two, 4-day professional development seminars for secondary school teachers in Lexington, Virginia, during the summer of 2026. The seminars focus on George C. Marshall’s role in the Early Cold War, including his service as Secretary of State (1947–1949) and Secretary of Defense (1950–1951). The George C. Marshall Foundation Teachers Institute features expert speakers, workshops, and research opportunities to help teachers discover practical ways to incorporate George C. Marshall into their classrooms. Attendees will finish the session with a portfolio of lesson plans for the 2026–2027 school year. The George C. Marshall Foundation Teachers Institute is ideal for teachers of U.S. History and World History.
Please email [email protected] with questions related to the George C. Marshall Foundation Teachers Institute. Watch our social media feeds for sneak peeks and updates! We look forward to seeing you in Lexington in 2026.
Registration
The George C. Marshall Foundation is delighted to provide lodging, meals, and a $150 travel allowance for all educators attending the Teachers Institute. In addition, teachers who complete the requirements of the four-day seminar will receive a $400 honorarium and professional development certificate. The George C. Marshall Foundation Teachers Institute will include sessions at the George C. Marshall Research Library (Lexington, Virginia); presentations by Cold War content matter specialists; and lesson planning workshops. Educators may attend one of two sessions: Session 1 (June 14-18) or Session 2 (July 12-16). Each session is limited to 12 teachers. Upon acceptance, educators must pay a $50 deposit to hold their spot; the deposit will be refunded upon completion of the seminar.
Praise from Past Teachers Institutes
“This has been by far the best professional development experience I’ve ever had in my 23 years of teaching. I feel as though I’ve truly been immersed in ‘my element’ and surrounded by ‘my people’ for the past week.”
“As a teacher of US history during this period, I value knowing as much as I can about the content, even though I cannot reasonably teach all it in my middle school classroom. Knowing more about Marshall will help me contextualize what I DO teach.”
“The George C. Marshall Foundation Teachers Institute helped to reinvigorate my love of history and my desire to learn. This week sparked a desire to strive to do more in my field and continue my education and increase my knowledge of American History, especially World War II.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed it! An opportunity to learn, collaborate, AND field trips!? You guys did a bang-up job!
