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Teaching 250 Years of Foreign Policy
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations; and Kristin Stelfox, Experienced Educator, Curriculum Content Lead, High School, Council on Foreign Relations
Sponsored by CFR Education
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As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, classrooms across the country continue to explore the people, ideas, and events that shaped the nation. But America’s story is also a global one. From the founding of the republic to today’s interconnected world, foreign policy has shaped the nation’s history, its role on the world stage, and the lives of generations of Americans.
Join this edWebinar with Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) expert Dr. James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, and CFR Curriculum Content Lead Kristin Stelfox for a conversation spanning 250 years of U.S. foreign policy, from 1776 to today. Together, they share how expert perspectives, primary sources, and inquiry-based classroom activities from CFR Education can help students think critically about America’s evolving role in the world.
In this session, educators:
- Explore how a foreign policy perspective on the 250th anniversary of the United States can enrich instruction across a range of courses, including U.S. history, world history, civics, government, geography, international relations, economics, global studies, and current events
- Gain historical context for pivotal moments that have shaped America’s role in the world
- Discover free, ready-to-use resources, including an interactive timeline spanning 250 years of U.S. foreign policy and in-depth teaching collections featuring curated primary sources and classroom discussion activities
- Learn practical strategies for using primary sources and discussion-based activities to foster historical inquiry, critical thinking, and civic engagement
Whether you’re planning lessons connected to America’s 250th or looking for new ways to connect the past to the present, this session provides expert insight and adaptable resources you can use right away. This edWebinar is of interest to middle and high school teachers, librarians, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. James M. Lindsay is the Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. A leading expert on U.S. foreign policy, Dr. Lindsay has held senior roles at CFR and previously served on the staff of the National Security Council. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including America Unbound and The Empty Throne, and he hosts the CFR podcast The President’s Inbox. He holds a doctorate from Yale University and has taught at the University of Iowa and the University of Texas. Learn more about Dr. Lindsay here.
Kristin Stelfox is the Curriculum Content Lead, High School of the Council on Foreign Relations. Kristin is a veteran NY teacher with over ten years of experience teaching global history and developing new social studies curricula, particularly focused on women’s history. She holds an MA in American history from Pace University, where her thesis work centered on uncovering hidden histories in local spaces. Her graduate coursework also explored the relationship between women’s movements and major global events such as World War I. Her undergraduate work focused on religious studies and conflict resolution and peacekeeping. She is an award-winning Model United Nations Advisor and serves as Chair of the Communications Team and current Secretary for the New York State Council for the Social Studies.
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CFR Education, the educational arm of the Council on Foreign Relations, helps middle, high school, and higher education students understand and engage with today’s most pressing global issues. With over 800 free, nonpartisan, multimedia teaching and learning resources, CFR Education’s supplemental materials help students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to navigate today’s interconnected world. CFR Education also provides professional development and programming opportunities to support educators as they take on this crucial work.
