In this opening keynote session, Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education of the Smithsonian, will welcome participants from across the country and globally to the 5th annual Smithsonian National Education Summit. Dr. Chism will preview the theme and content for the three-day conference and introduce two leaders in education to offer insights and inspiration. Dr. James Grossman, Executive Director emeritus of the American Historical Association, will discuss issues relating to how history education can help to address and resolve division in American society, and how teachers engage such issues in their classrooms. Finally, we’ll hear from a teacher leader from the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program about their hopes for the 2025-2026 school year and the 250th anniversary of our nation.