Burke teacher to help lead classroom efforts for America 250 NC

A Burke County educator has been selected for a key role in shaping how students across the state learn about the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Tim Barnsback, who teaches personal finance and civics at Burke Middle College, has been named a 2025 America 250 NC Teacher Fellow by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) and Carolina K-12, a program at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The unique, seven-month professional development initiative for K-12 educators is a cornerstone of the state’s America 250 NC programming led by DNCR and aligned with the national effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It will help ensure classrooms all around the state mark this significant milestone in engaging ways.

Barnsback is one of 15 Fellows representing every region of North Carolina.

“I am honored to be selected as an America 250 NC Fellow and grateful for the opportunity to explore and celebrate our state’s rich and complex history,” said Barnsback. “I look forward to contributing my passion for connecting students to the past through shared experiences and helping ensure the next generation sees themselves as part of the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union.”

According to DNCR officials, the Fellows program allows exemplary educators to play a part in the state’s celebration of the milestone anniversary.

“This program stands as a testament to the commitment of DNCR to our state’s talented teaching professionals,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “As we approach this significant milestone in American history, this collaborative fellowship will foster a deeper understanding of and interest in North Carolina’s place in history and will support educators around the state in inspiring the next generation of engaged and informed leaders.”

In a thematic and cross-disciplinary approach to history education, the America 250 N.C. Teacher Fellowship will broaden its scope beyond just the years of the American Revolution, as Fellows study how inhabitants of North Carolina throughout the last three centuries have interacted with the nation’s most cherished ideal: freedom.

Fellows will visit historic sites around the state and engage in virtual learning throughout the seven-month fellowship to deepen their historical scholarship and enhance their teaching practices. This opportunity also aims to create a community of learning where educators can network with other historians, scholars, cultural institutions, and authors from around the state.

The Fellows will also play a pivotal role in advising DNCR, the statewide coordinator for the America 250 NC initiative, on meeting the evolving needs of K-12 students and teachers. Their insights will shape the implementation of North Carolina’s America 250 programs, activities, and accompanying resources in classrooms statewide.

— SWQ