December 14, 2025

Dear Educator, 

If you are currently reading this while staring at a mountain of ungraded essays, wondering how to fill a week's worth of classes, or already thinking about next semester, this newsletter is for you. 

There is a specific kind of feeling that sets in at the end of the semester that no one outside of a classroom can quite understand. That's why this week we turned to educators for insights and advice.

Whether you are looking for an activity to round off the last few days or need inspiration for next semester, keep scrolling to hear tips from four CFR Education Ambassadors and explore two brand new resources made by educators like you. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful winter break. We will be back in your inbox on January 4th! 

Happy holidays, 

Caroline Netchvolodoff 
Vice President, Education 
Council on Foreign Relations 

New! Top Ten Teaching Resources

Curious what teaching resources educators like you used this year in their classrooms? Explore this sampling that includes lesson plans, discussion questions, and activities for your high school or higher education class. 

Advice from High School Educators

Mehreen Jamal from Haas Hall Academy in Arkansas enjoys teaching about the Industrial Revolution through the infographics in the "What Are the Causes and Consequences of Industrialization?" resource. Infographics answer questions students naturally want to ask after reading the text and show that you can use quantitative data to draw historical conclusions. 

To bring complicated global issues to life, Erin Palladino from Marshfield High School in Massachusetts uses timelines and art. She created an activity that asks students to draw a roadmap to demonstrate their assigned portion of a timeline and indicate the U.S. or the world’s reaction to various events by using road signs.

Test Your Knowledge of How the World Works

This new ten-question quiz draws from a bank of one hundred questions that cover the issues, forces, and actors shaping today’s world. Share the quiz at the start of next semester and again at the end of the year, so your students can see their global affairs literacy improve. 

Advice from Higher Education Faculty

Daniel Katz often uses a CFR Education simulation in his Introduction to Diplomacy course at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Sometimes there will be more students in his class than roles. His trick? Assign students to be an observer from an NGO or a nonvoting member of the General Assembly to give even more perspectives! 

In addition to using CFR Education resources (especially this sample syllabus!) in her Global Engagement class at Fairfield University this fall, Julie Mughal has her students participate in community engaged learning. Next semester, her students will volunteer with the Afghan Female Student Outreach program. 

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