A Potsdam educator has been selected for a prestigious national fellowship through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, joining a select group of teachers committed to advancing Holocaust education and supporting fellow educators across the country.
William Murphy was one of just 14 educators nationwide chosen to participate in the Museum’s 2026-2027 Museum Teacher Fellowship Program. Fellows are selected based on their knowledge of Holocaust history, demonstrated excellence in teaching, and involvement in professional and community organizations.
As part of the fellowship, Murphy attended the Pines, Sarna, Statfeld Summer Institute at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., from July 13-16. During the yearlong fellowship, Murphy will bring the Museum’s educational resources back to the region by organizing professional development opportunities for fellow educators. Fellows also serve as educational advisors, providing feedback on classroom resources and participating in Museum focus groups.
“The Museum Teacher Fellows support Holocaust education in communities around the country,” said Kim Blevins-Relleva, Program Director of Educator Programs in the Museum’s Levine Institute for Holocaust Education. “The Museum Teacher Fellows share the Museum’s free resources for classrooms with teachers in their communities, playing a key role in the Museum’s ongoing engagement with educators nationwide.”
Established in 1996, the Museum Teacher Fellowship Program develops a nationwide network of highly skilled educators who share Holocaust education resources and provide ongoing professional learning in their schools and communities. To date, 470 teachers have completed the fellowship.
Murphy’s selection reflects both a commitment to meaningful history education and a dedication to helping students and educators better understand the lessons of the Holocaust. Through the fellowship, Murphy will help expand access to high-quality educational resources while fostering thoughtful conversations about history, civic responsibility, and the importance of confronting hate and promoting human dignity.