Western States Teacher Fellowship Program

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.