We the Teachers

WE THE TEACHERS 2027-2028 Cohort Application

Applications are open for the We the Teachers 2027-2028 cohort.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN - CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Review the application questions by clicking here.

Review the supervisor adjudication questions by clicking here. 

Review the scoring rubric for applications by clicking here. 

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UPCOMING APPLICANT WEBINARS

Interested in applying to the 2027 Cohort of We the Teachers, William & Mary's K-12 teacher professional development program, co-convened with the National Council for History Education? Get guidance on the application process here -- ask any questions you might have and hear from members of the team.

October 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT - Click here to register

December 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT - Click here to register

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 15, 2026.

 Thank you for applying to the We the Teachers program! We the Teachers brings together 100 educators from across the United States for an immersive four-day experience in Summer 2027 in Denver, Colorado. 

Fellows will explore the nation’s founding ideals through the lenses of history, civics, and civic dialogue, engaging directly with leading historians, museum professionals, and spotlight educators. Sessions blend scholarly insight with classroom application, helping teachers connect past to present and empowering students as informed, engaged citizens. Fellows will also complete two five-hour online microcourses in preparation for the convening.

Participation extends beyond the summer experience. Fellows become part of a national network of educators re-imagining history and civics education as America moves into the next 250 years of its existence. Building on the resources and relationships developed during the summer convening—and supported by access to online microcourses, facilitator guides, and on-demand mentoring—each Fellow commits to sharing their learning locally.

Fellows will support colleagues’ professional learning by leading activities including, but not limited to, offering a professional development session, facilitating online or hybrid learning communities using lilyPD courses, and providing one-on-one support or coaching. The target is for each participant to support 15 other teachers during the 2027–2028 school year at the district, regional, or state level. Sessions and learning communities may be held online or in person and may be part of a state or local conference.

Fellows may also contribute by authoring a reflective blog post, developing a classroom resource, providing feedback on new courses, or mentoring colleagues in inquiry-based, civic-minded teaching. Together, Fellows extend the impact of We the Teachers, strengthening classrooms, schools, and communities nationwide.
 Fully funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant and led by William & Mary’s Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, in partnership with the National Council for History Education, the fellowship invites teachers to help write the next chapter in our nation’s civic story.

Frequently Asked Questions

frequently asked questions about We the Teachers

Who can apply?  K-12 educators, education specialists, administrators, and curriculum supervisors are encouraged to apply. Special preferences will be given to current classroom teachers.

Is there a deadline to apply? Yes! Applications will close on December 15, 2026 11:59 PM (EST)

When will I be notified about my application status?  We hope to notify applicants about their status by the beginning of February 2027.

Where will Fellows stay at the Congress of Educators (2026)? More details about the Denver, CO Congress of Educators, including information about lodging, will be made available as soon as possible.

What are lilyPD microcourses?  “lilyPD” is an online learning platform for k-12 educators powered by William & Mary. Our five hour microcourses are practical, skill-based, and full of applicable strategies and resources that teachers can use in their classroom tomorrow. Take courses asynchronously at your own pace or with a learning community and earn points toward recertification through the W&M School of Education. We the Teachers fellows will take two courses in the Spring, Historical Inquiry and Civil Discourse, prior to convening in July for the Congress of Educators.

Can I earn Continuing Education Credit or Professional development points for my work?  Absolutely. We the Teachers fellows will receive professional development credits for both the microcourses, their time at W&M for the Congress of Educators, and for organizing a local learning community. More details will be shared with fellows after acceptance.

What will Fellows do at the Congress of Educators?  At the Congress of Educators, fellows will gather with 100 other educators from throughout the country to learn about the founding of our nation and how it impacts us today. Educators will hear from experts in the field, work in collaboration with one another to create materials for their classes, and engage in once in a lifetime field experiences in the Declaration of Independence’s homeland.

What are the expectations for leading local learning communities?  Fellows will lead workshops and/or peer learning communities in their home states after the Congress of Educators concludes that highlights what fellows learned during their “We the Teachers” experience. This outreach might look like presenting at a local or state conference, leading a half or full day experience for other educators, or even sharing about their experience on a webinar or podcast. In peer learning communities, fellows will implement a facilitation guide to lead or organize an educator learning cohort to take one of the lilyPD microcourses together.

What does my commitment as a We the Teachers fellow entail? All We the Teachers fellows are expected to complete all three components of the program in order to receive their $2500 stipend: lilyPD microcourses, the Congress of Educators, and facilitate a local learning opportunity in their home state.

I know that I cannot attend part of or the entirety of the Congress of Educators in July 2027. Should I still apply?  All fellows must be available to attend the entirety of the Congress of Educators experience in 2027.