Teacher Launches Nonprofit for Free History Lessons to Educators

In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing history education, Matt Vriesman, the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year, has launched a nonprofit organization that offers free history lessons and curriculum resources to educators. Through his website, Empowering Histories, Vriesman provides over 60 lessons designed for Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History and AP African American Studies. This effort comes at a critical time when many educators face challenges in accessing quality materials.

Vriesman, who teaches at East Kentwood High School, established the website six years ago, and it recently achieved nonprofit status. He believes that this development will enable him to expand the range of lessons and strengthen a national network of educators committed to providing evidence-based history. As he stated, “I didn’t want to charge teachers for it, especially with the nature of this content. I think all students have a right to this knowledge.”

Accessing Quality History Education

The resources available on Empowering Histories have already made a significant impact. Approximately 5,000 teachers have utilized these materials, resulting in 65,000 downloads. Many of these educators work in low-income, high-need schools, and 95.7% of them report increased student engagement after using the resources. Vriesman aims to ensure that students are taught history grounded in established scholarship and diverse sources, moving away from the narratives often found in traditional textbooks.

Vriesman’s commitment to accessible education stems from his realization during graduate studies about the prevalence of misleading narratives in AP U.S. History textbooks. He noted, “What I saw over and over was that historians and the public are not having the same conversation.” This disconnect can hinder students’ ability to analyze evidence and engage in informed discussions about democracy.

Building a Sustainable Future

The cost of maintaining the website has increased alongside its user base. By establishing Empowering Histories as a nonprofit, Vriesman aims to secure funding while ensuring that all contributions remain tax-deductible. He expressed a desire for support from larger institutions that prioritize education which sustains democracy and enhances student engagement in social studies.

As Vriesman explained, “My real goal is to get support from larger institutions who want to fund education that sustains democracy.” His 18 years of teaching experience have shaped his belief that students must understand history from multiple perspectives to become informed citizens.

Support for Vriesman’s mission comes from educators and administrators alike. Jason Bannister, Principal at Explorer Elementary, emphasizes the importance of providing students with an honest representation of American history. He stated, “For our students to be well versed in the history of our country and to be able to see that history from multiple sides is something they need.”

Board member Luke Wilcox, a former East Kentwood teacher, echoes this sentiment, asserting that “Empowering Histories is more than a set of lessons — it’s a public good.” Wilcox highlights the necessity for students to learn history that reflects the best of historical scholarship without political distortion.

As the landscape of history education continues to evolve, Vriesman remains steadfast in his mission to empower educators and students alike. His work not only contributes to a better understanding of American history but also fosters critical thinking skills essential for participating in a democratic society.