Linking the Library of Congress with Northern Virginia Schools

The Teaching with Primary Sources Northern Virginia Partnership (TPSNVA) is sponsored by the Library of Congress through its Teaching with Primary Sources Program.

TPSNVA began in 2003 with the Library of Congress-sponsored Adventure of the American Mind program, which included Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, and Falls Church City Public Schools. Fairfax County Public Schools joined the partnership in 2004.

Collaborating with Schools and Teachers

TPSNVA is a professional development program designed by school personnel in an effort to promote student learning while advancing current local school district pedagogy initiatives.

Each school in the four partner school districts has the opportunity for school-based professional development. In addition, each district's department of instruction will have the opportunity for district-wide professional development.

TPSNVA program development has included bringing more than 1,000 educators from Northern Virginia to the Library of Congress for special tours of the architecture and exhibits, lectures with curators and reference specialists to develop educator content knowledge, and hands-on technology workshops focusing on integrating digital primary resources into the instructional program.

Collaboration opportunities among the participants from the Northern Virginia school systems have been a highlight in the program development activities.