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STARS, STRIPES, AND SPIES: Teaching the Secret History of America
International Spy Museum Teacher Institute Application

Sunday, June 28, 2026 – Thursday, July 2, 2026
The International Spy Museum (SPY) values the diverse perspectives and experiences that educators bring to this Teacher Institute. This may include aspects such as your background, identity, professional journey, and the community you teach in. The information you share in this form is used only to review your application for the International Spy Museum’s 2026 Teacher Institute and will not be shared with any external organizations.

Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. All applicants will be notified of SPY’s decision via email by April 1, 2026.

If accepted, educators must commit to attending the program by April 15, 2026, and be able to attend the entire duration of the institute (June 28-July 2, 2026).

PLEASE NOTE: You must submit this application in one sitting. Scroll down to see all of the questions.
SECTION 1: Applicant Information
1.First Name:(Required.)
2.Last Name:(Required.)
3.Preferred Name:
4.Personal Email Address:(Required.)
5.Work Email Address:(Required.)
6.Home Address:(Required.)
7.Home City:(Required.)
8.Home State:(Required.)
9.Home Zip Code:(Required.)
10.Cell Phone Number:(Required.)
11.School Name:(Required.)
12.School Address:(Required.)
13.School City:(Required.)
14.School State:(Required.)
15.School Zip Code:(Required.)
16.Type of School (check all that apply)(Required.)
17.What grades are served by your school? Please check all that apply.(Required.)
18.What grade level(s) do you currently teach? Please check all that apply.(Required.)
19.Current Title/Position:(Required.)
20.What subject(s) do you currently teach?(Required.)
21.How did you hear about this program?(Required.)
22.Have you participated in a Teacher Institute at a museum before?(Required.)
SECTION 2: Short Answer Questions

Below are a series of short answer questions. Please answer in complete sentences. (All answers should be under 500 words).
23.Tell us about your teaching background.(Required.)
24.What interests you about participating in this teacher institute?(Required.)
25.What do you hope to gain from this teacher institute — both personally and professionally?(Required.)
26.Describe a recent lesson or unit you taught that encouraged students to think critically or investigate multiple perspectives. What worked well, and what challenges did you face?(Required.)
SECTION 3: Themed Questions

We like to have fun with our content and think outside the box. While these questions are optional, we hope you will have some fun answering one or more of them! (All answers should be under 250 words).
27.If you were a spy, what would your code name be, and why?
28.What “hidden story” in U.S. history do you wish your students understood better?
29.You’ve been assigned to engage a “high-value target” (your students) in a topic they usually find boring. What is your strategy?
30.Describe your classroom in three words that could double as a spy mission title.
31.If you could ask a single question to a real spy from any era, what would it be and why?
32.If you would like to hear about future opportunities for educators at SPY, please check the box below.