Imagining Liberty Microcredential
Bringing the Declaration of Independence to Life in Your Classroom
Program Description:
With the nation marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026—and Ken Burns' landmark documentary series bringing the American Revolution to a new generation—there has never been a more apposite moment to reimagine how we teach America's founding document. This nine-part, asynchronous microcredential invites K-12 educators to explore the Declaration not as a relic of the past, but as a living challenge that speaks directly to the questions students carry into your classroom every day.
Going beyond the familiar story of Founders and battlefields, this program centers the voices, struggles, and aspirations of the many people—across race, gender, and circumstance—who heard the Declaration's promises and dared to imagine what they might mean for themselves. That tension between the ideals of liberty and the reality of who was included is not simply a historical debate. It is the defining American conversation, and it is still unfolding.
Throughout the microcredential, you will develop strategies for teaching the Revolutionary era in ways that feel immediate and meaningful—connecting the founding generation's debates about power, participation, and self-determination to the civic questions students face today. You will leave with tools to help young people see themselves not as passive observers of history, but as participants in it.
Because the promise of the Declaration has never belonged only to the past. It belongs to every generation that chooses to engage with it—including yours.
Dates & Registration
Format: Asynchronous Online Modules
Price: $295
For more information, questions, or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Instructors
Thomas James
Thomas James is a professor and education historian at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he served as Provost, Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2019. Prior to TC, he served as Dean of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and as Vice Dean and Professor of Educational History at NYU's Steinhardt School of Education. He is the author of Exile Within: The Schooling of Japanese Americans, 1942–1945, regarded as a seminal work on the education of Japanese-American children during wartime internment, and has published widely on law, educational history, and governance. James is deeply committed to inspiring educators to weave the principles of the Declaration of Independence into their curricula, believing that these foundational ideals belong at the heart of every student's learning experience. He currently serves as a professor and co-director of TC's Center on History and Education.
Nick Shiffman
Nick Shiffman is a Master’s candidate in International and Comparative Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, focused on history education and the analysis and establishment of historical narratives. He previously taught fifth and seventh-grade world history at a public charter school in the South Bronx for four years. Nick won an award for consistent and exceptional student academic achievement in 2024 and worked with other teachers and students to create an engaging history curriculum. Before teaching, he worked as a video editor on documentary films about Alzheimer’s Disease and WWII U-Boats. He graduated with honors from Boston College, double-majoring in History and Film Studies.
Learning Objectives
- Provide teachers with varied, engaging content about the Declaration of Independence that is relevant to all American students.
- Explore how the American Revolution was more than just a Military revolution.
- Discuss the foundational ideas that led to the formation of the United States.
- Learn about key early American figures outside of the military and politics.
- Consider what Independence means, what it looks like, and compare it to how it has shifted throughout American history versus at its onset.
- Provide relevant and engaging content that can be converted into effective and popular stories, strategies, and ideas in classrooms
Who Should Attend
This microcredential is designed for classroom teachers as well as educators working in after‑school programs, nonprofit settings, and youth‑serving cultural organizations. It’s especially valuable for those seeking richer, more inclusive ways to teach the American Revolution beyond the traditional focus on the Founding Fathers and military battles.
Participants will explore the Declaration of Independence from multiple perspectives, uncovering how different groups of people experienced this pivotal moment. By broadening the lens on the nation’s founding, educators gain powerful tools to connect historical ideas to the lived experiences of young people today—highlighting how the Declaration calls each generation to shape history, engage in civic life, and strengthen democracy through active participation.
Upon Completion
Participants who successfully complete this microcredential course will earn a verified Certificate of Participation and an official Digital Badge—valuable credentials that showcase your commitment to professional growth and can be shared on LinkedIn or digital portfolios.
View our sample program badge and certificate below:
Important Notice: This is a non-credit program. Completion does not provide academic credit toward any degree program at Teachers College or other institutions. No transcript credit will be awarded.