Broome named inaugural fellow in Library of Congress teaching initiative

The TPS Eastern Region Program at Waynesburg University and the Library of Congress selected John P. Broome as an inaugural Fellow in the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Transformative Teaching Initiative (TTI).

Broome is a clinical associate professor of social studies education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He works with future educators to unlearn, think critically, expand creativity, and thoughtfully bridge emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—with curriculum, for global citizenship. His recent scholarship, supported by this fellowship, focuses on using generative artificial intelligence to scaffold critical historical inquiry with primary sources in pre-service teacher education.

The inaugural Teaching with Primary Sources Transformative Teaching Initiative fellowship started in May 15, 2025, through July 30th, 2025. Fellows attended six online sessions about using primary sources at the Library of Congress (LOC) to design engaging inquiry-based social studies instruction. 

The initiative culminated at the LOC at the end of July, when Fellows toured archives and met with LOC leaders to connect with and shared lessons learned during panel discussion events. Then in December 2025, Fellows were invited to speak on an LOC panel with social studies teachers to discuss the lessons they’d learned and give recommendations for primary source inquiry implementation in the classroom.

“This was an amazing opportunity to learn from and build with a cohort of methods professors from around the country,” Broome said. “It was a rich opportunity not just in learning new ways to teach inquiry but to create a network of scholars in the cohort as well as with the Library of Congress to advance the work of teaching with primary sources.”

Session topics included learning about and using primary sources, implementing TPS pedagogy with preservice teachers, and more.

“This prestigious honor is very well deserved by Professor Broome,” said Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College. “Since he joined the College of Education, he has consistently pressed the boundaries of technology use (such as digital primary sources) for teaching and learning.  Indeed, he is an excellent example of the College’s leading role in technology-driven teacher preparation.”

Successful completion of this initiative represents continued scholarly growth and professional development. This distinction reflects excellence in teaching, as participation required demonstrated and measurable growth in inquiry-based pedagogy and the effective integration of high-quality primary sources. Fellows engaged in sustained, research-informed pedagogical work alongside Library of Congress educators, national scholars, and faculty from peer institutions.

“This fellowship was an honor because it affirmed the power of primary sources to spark curiosity, complexity, and critical inquiry in classrooms,” Broome said. “I will carry this work forward by helping pre-service teachers design learning experiences that center student questioning, historical empathy, and democratic participation.”

About TTI

The Transformative Teaching Initiative (TTI) is a professional learning experience for methods instructors that integrates inquiry with primary sources into teacher preparation courses. The program blends online learning with an in-person capstone experience and leverages the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program. Participation requires sustained, research-informed pedagogical engagement and demonstrated growth in inquiry-based instruction using primary sources from the Library of Congress.

Source: John P. Broome