BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Area School District said Monday that a sixth-grade science teacher will participate in a prestigious program aimed at bringing museum-based learning into classrooms.
Traci Schanewolf, who teaches at Northeast Middle School, was selected to participate in the Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the district said in a news release.
The district says the Teacher Innovator Institute is a highly selective professional development program designed to help middle school educators bring museum-based learning into their classrooms.
By exploring the connections between informal STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education and authentic classroom experiences, participants gain innovative strategies to engage students in meaningful learning, the district says.
The district says the two-week immersive program, taking place in summer 2026, will include more than 80 educators from across the country, including both returning participants and a new cohort of 30 teachers.
Participants will learn directly from Smithsonian educators and content experts through hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes museum experiences, guided tours, and collaborative group work, the district said in its news release.
According to the district, educators selected for the institute commit to two weeks of participation each summer over a two-year period. During that time, they engage in intensive learning sessions and develop a professional development plan to implement innovative teaching practices in their schools and districts.
Schanewolf is in her second year at Northeast Middle School and BASD, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University.
The district says she leads several after-school clubs including Dungeons & Dragons and cinema studies.
“Being selected for the Smithsonian Teacher Innovator Institute is one of the greatest honors of my teaching career,” said Schanewolf.
“I’m so excited to collaborate with Smithsonian experts and educators from across the country, and to bring fresh, innovative ideas back to my students and colleagues. Everything I learn through this fellowship, I’ll carry back into our classroom, and I can’t wait to see the impact it has on the incredible kids I get to teach every day.”
“This is an outstanding achievement for both Traci and our district,” said Dr. Maureen Leeson, Assistant Superintendent of BASD.
“Opportunities like the Teacher Innovator Institute allow our educators to deepen their practice, explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and bring back experiences that directly benefit our students. We are incredibly proud of Traci’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences.”