Teacher in Residence Programs
Library of Congress Teachers in Residence work with the Library's education staff to develop programs and resources that support teachers nationwide. During the 2025-26 school year, the Library is hosting two Distinguished Educator Fellow as part of the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. For the 2026-27 school year, we plan to host two Einstein Fellows.
To find out about other ways to contribute to the Library's programs, visit the Library's Internships and Fellowships Office and the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.
Michael Lowry
Albert Einstein Distinguised Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2025-2026
Michael is a middle and high school science teacher at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he has taught since 1993—and where he has been an Outdoor Program Instructor since 1995. Michael holds a BS in Chemistry, and an MA in Educational Leadership. He was a 2005 recipient of The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), is a National Board-Certified Teacher, was the former High School Division Director for the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA); and has served as a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation (NSF). He was also a Fulbright Memorial Fellow to Japan and a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Researcher to Singapore; he generally has a deep interest in East Asian cultures. In his application for the Einstein Fellow program, Michael voiced his concerns about the pervasiveness of scientific misconceptions, and shared, "I believe it is essential to create classroom resources that tackle these misconceptions head-on. By incorporating real-world examples, case studies, and interactive activities, we can engage students in critical thinking and encourage them to question assumptions."
Lora Taylor
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2025-2026
Lora started her career as a research scientist and is now the Lead Teacher at STEM School Chattanooga, where she teaches engineering design and works closely with administration on school-wide initiatives. She holds a BS in Physical Science and an MS in Biology Education, and has advanced skills in media production, graphic design, 2D/3D design software, and coding. In her application for the Einstein Fellow program, Lora spoke of the “exposure gap” that too many students experience. She explained, "Too often, students from underserved communities don't receive the high-quality STEM experiences that ignite a passion for these fields. As a teacher who has spent my entire career in Title I schools, I have witnessed firsthand the stark disparities in STEM exposure and the digital divide that exist in communities." Lora has worked to minimize such disparities, writing and securing substantial grants for innovative programs and projects, including creative spaces and STEM Labs.
Meet some of the past Library of Congress Teachers in Residence:
Jessica Fries-Gaither
Albert Einstein Distinguised Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2024-2025
Ralph Pantozzi
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2024-2025
Kelsey Beeghly
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2023-2024
Jackie Katz
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2022-2023
Lesley Anderson
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2021-2022
Peter DeCraene
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2020-2022
Amara Alexander
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2019-2020
Kellie Taylor
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress 2018-2019
More to come!