September 8, 2020 Library of Congress Welcomes Albert Einstein Fellow for New School Year

The Library of Congress has welcomed Peter DeCraene as its newest Albert Einstein Distinguished Education Fellow. DeCraene will work closely with the Library’s Learning and Innovation Office to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible for teachers throughout the United States.

“We have been on a mission for the past few years to demonstrate the value of primary sources across the curriculum and across the grade spectrum,” said Lee Ann Potter, director of the Learning and Innovation Office. “We look forward to working with Peter to make the treasures of the Library more discoverable, usable and valuable — especially for math teachers!”

DeCraene has taught mathematics and computer science to middle and high school students for over 30 years. He has spent the past 23 years at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois.

DeCraene is active in conversations regarding equitable access to math and computer science education across race and gender for students and teachers alike. He has spoken at local, state and national conferences on the subject and served on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago. In 2011, DeCraene was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 STEM educators.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for K-12 educators in science, technology, engineering and math fields to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in federal agencies and U.S. congressional offices, contributing their knowledge and classroom experience to national education programs and education policy efforts. The Library is joined by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in hosting an Einstein Fellow this school year.

DeCraene holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in computer science from DePaul University, as well as a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from National Louis University. He has earned national board certification in secondary mathematics.

For more information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellowship, visit science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

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