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Collaborate with a small group of K-12 educators from Western States (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington) to create K-12 classroom resources to support students who are geographically removed from the events of George Washington’s life and the events of the revolutionary and founding eras.

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Application Window

On-site Fellowship Dates

Various (December 2022-April 2023)

Award Notification Date

November 30, 2022

Western States Teacher Fellowship Program

The Western States Teacher Fellowship Program is a one-three week onsite (and/or virtual hybrid), immersive professional development experience for current social studies educators from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington to create digital classroom materials that will enhance and expand the teaching of George Washington and his leadership during the revolutionary and founding eras for K-12 students students in the Pacific Northwest.   

Three teacher fellows will be selected to collaborate with each other, the Mount Vernon K-12 team, and Washington Library staff, to design inclusive, inquiry based digital classroom resources to bring back to students in western states communities, and published online for the benefit of K-12 classrooms nationwide. Fellows will work together to determine dates and onsite/virtual availability between December 2022 and April 2023.

New digital classroom resources created will:

  • Utilize Mount Vernon's digital classroom tools and resources to further strengthen and engage students, particularly those whose cultural context is removed from the national narrative of the 18th century and the Atlantic world, George Washington's biography and the value of learning about his legacies.
  • Guide students through inquiry and analysis of Mount Vernon's digital museum, library and archaeological primary source collections to support their thinking
  • Differentiate for students of varying grade levels, abilities, and learning styles
  • Align with best practices in social studies education - 
    • developing questions and planning inquiries
    • applying disciplinary (civics, economics, geography, history) tools and concepts
    • evaluating sources and using evidence
    • communicating conclusions and taking action
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Fellowship Award

Each fellow will be awarded a $3,000 honorarium for their time and commitment to the program. 

One round trip airline ticket to/from Mount Vernon will be covered by the program and a $500 local transit stipend will be provided for each fellow.

Housing in single occupancy rooms in the scholar's residence onsite will be provided by the program, as well. 

All meals and incidentals will be the responsibility of the fellow. 

Who Can Apply?

  • Qualified applicants include:
    • Current educators in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington state (funding limits us to only consider applicants who work in these 5 states).
    • Anyone who is currently serving as a classroom teacher (grades K-12), instructional coach, technology specialist, curriculum specialist, media specialist, or similar, in a formal K-12 school environment.
    • Educators must anticipate teaching or working directly with classroom teachers in the school year following participation. 
  • The review committee will be looking to develop a diverse collaborative team of fellows with experience creating district or state level educational resources.  
  • The George Washington Teacher Institute cares deeply about equity, inclusivity, and diversity. Our Institute is committed to cultivating a unique learning environment where all individuals may succeed professionally and personally. We seek and welcome applications from educators of varying backgrounds and experiences to explore the history and ideals that make us all different, and inspires diverse interpretations of George Washington and the world he lived in.

Why Should I Apply?

  • Experience unparalleled access to George Washington's Mount Vernon staff, sites, collections, and stay in scholars' residences.
  • Learn from place, and museum and academic experts about George Washington’s life and lessons in leadership.
  • Tackle topics that matter the most to you, from government to slavery to leadership.
  • Collaborate with a partner or small group of dynamic educators to devise new ways to bring the diversity of the 18th-century and George Washington's biography, leadership, and complex legacies to life in classrooms across the country. 

What is the Application Process?

  • Online Application The application should take approximately one-two hours to complete and includes the requirements outlined below. Applicants can start the application, save, and return to it before the submission deadline. 
  • Resume (or Curriculum Vitae) Upload a resume which includes relevant education/professional development, leadership roles held, collaborative team work, and resource or curriculum development experiences.
  • Short Answer Questions Respond to questions supporting your candidacy as a fellow by:
    • Explaining the impact of using primary sources, historical thinking skills, and inclusive narratives on students within K-12 classrooms today.
    • Sharing the teaching methodologies behind differentiated, inquiry based student learning opportunities you have designed.
    • Providing evidence of productive team-based collaboration on curriculum projects or educational resource design. 
  • Best Practice Sample Provide one to two samples of an educational resource you have created that addresses your qualifications as a fellow.
  • Recommenders Names and contact information of two recommenders who can address your skills and experiences as an educator and indicate support for your participation as a fellow are required.
Special consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate the following throughout their application:
  • Integration of George Washington's biography, leadership, and complex legacies
  • Reference to material culture available within Mount Vernon's collections. 
  • Relevance to student and teacher digital classroom resource needs.

Facilities

  • George Washington's Mount Vernon By working on George Washington’s estate, fellows will enjoy the opportunity to connect and collaborate with Mount Vernon’s onsite experts in informal learning, early American history, preservation, archaeology, and other relevant fields.
  • The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington Fellows will enjoy unparalleled access to the extensive resources of the 45,000 square‐foot Washington Library during their fellowship. The Library is designed to house and safeguard original Washington documents and other materials from the founding era, as well as contemporary research tools and resources.  
  • The DeVos House As part of the covered costs, fellows will reside in single rooms within the Richard and Helen DeVos House, a scholars' residence, located just 150 feet west of the Washington Library. Access to a parking, a single bedroom, common area, small kitchen, and Wi-Fi are included.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

  • COVID-19 George Washington's Mount Vernon complies with applicable laws and guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities and will require vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of participation in the Fellowship program.
  • We are confident we can provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards for participants, but please reach out if you have any questions about our protocol in this area. 
  • Accessibility When considering your accessibility needs, please keep in mind that Mount Vernon is located on 500 acres, include walking on hilly and unpaved terrains, and stairs within onsite housing. Accessibility arrangements can be discussed with the Education Department prior to your participation. Click here for additional information about accessibility at Mount Vernon.
  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Points (PDPs), or Graduate Credits We currently do not offer official CEUs, PDPs, or Graduate Credit. Fellows can track the hours spent engaged in fellowship work and request a letter of participation or certificate outlining their contributions. 

History of Western States Teacher Fellowship Program

  • The Western States Fellowship Program was made possible through the generous support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
  • As part of the professional development opportunities within the George Washington Teacher Institute, fellows from the Pacific Northwest states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington will create classroom resources designed to increase awareness and understanding of Washington-related content and sources, and develop fresh approaches to reaching students in meaningful and applicable ways so that George Washington remains relevant today.

Fellowships made possible through the generous support of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust