We the Teachers

APPLICATIONS TO THE 2026 WE THE TEACHERS PD EXPERIENCE ARE OPEN NOW

Review the We the Teachers Application Rubric

Access the application questions in Word Document format for offline work

William & Mary has received a three-year, $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to train teachers in conjunction with the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.

It is the largest award to a Virginia institution of higher learning under the American History and Civics Education National Activities – Seminars for America’s Semiquincentennial program.

Awarded to W&M’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships, the grant will launch “We the Teachers: Preparing the Next Generation Through History & Civics.” Timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the initiative aims to strengthen K-12 history and civics education. It will equip teachers with deep content knowledge, evidence-based pedagogy and classroom-ready tools that connect America’s founding principles to civic life. The result will be stronger learning outcomes for students across the country.

The three-part program includes:

• The Congress of Educators: A four-day, immersive experience for 100 educators from across the country Congress of Educators at William & Mary, featuring substantive, insightful, and inspiring content and pedagogy sessions paired with visits to and VIP experiences with leading museums in the region.
• lilyPD Microcourses: Build impactful teaching skills through 5-hour online microcourses, focusing on topics including historical inquiry, civil discourse, non-fiction reading strategies, artifact analysis, exhibits in the classroom and more; all courses are accredited by the W&M School of Education.
• Local Learning Communities: Lead workshops and/or peer learning communities in their home states—bringing the spirit of 1776 into today’s classrooms.

Year One  fellows will convene in Williamsburg, Virginia at William & Mary (room and board provided) on July 26-30 for the inaugural Congress of Educators. Fellows who complete all three components of the “We the Teachers” program will receive a $2500 stipend. Applications open December 1, 2025. 

The grant also benefits W&M students by providing nearly $100,000 for paid applied-learning opportunities exclusively for them. The opportunities will include roles such as learning design, digital content development and production, communications and event management.

The project advances the university’s Vision 2026 Democracy and Careers goals. It also reinforces the university’s national reputation for developing civic leadership. 

“This grant underscores William & Mary’s commitment to innovative scholarship in service to the nation,” said Provost Peggy Agouris. “‘We the Teachers’ is a model of how leading research universities can advance civic learning by combining deep historical knowledge with cutting-edge pedagogy to empower educators. As a cornerstone of W&M’s Vision 2026 initiative, it reflects the vital role of academic excellence in serving every citizen.”

We the Teachers
A National Fellowship for K–12 Educators

On July 27-30, 2026, 100 teacher leaders from across the country will gather on William & Mary’s historic campus in Williamsburg, Virginia—where America’s story began—to shape how it will be taught for generations to come.

Explore. Reflect. Reimagine.

• Deepen your understanding of the road to independence
• Engage with leading scholars and museum educators
• Connect with a national network of teacher leaders
• Prepare to lead professional development in your state

Participants will receive a $2,500 stipend for travel expenses and as a recognition of time and effort. Additionally, all lodging, food, and participation costs are fully funded.

From the Founding to the Future—We the Teachers

Teaching for the Nation’s 250th

Led by William & Mary and the National Council for History Education, We the Teachers prepares educators to lead the next chapter in American history/civic education. The three-part program includes:

• Build your skills with 5-hour online microcourses, focusing on topics including historical inquiry, civil discourse, non-fiction reading strategies, and more; all accredited by the W&M School of Education.
• A four-day, immersive Congress of Educators in Williamsburg, featuring substantive and inspiring content and pedagogy sessions paired with place-based learning.
• Lead a workshop and/or peer learning community in your state.

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 January 31, 2026 11:59 PM (EST)

When will I be notified about my application status?  We hope to notify applicants about their status by the middle of March 2026.

Where will Fellows stay at the Congress of Educators (2026)? Fellows will stay in a new dormitory at William & Mary (W&M) in Williamsburg, Virginia, July 26-30, 2026. Dorm rooms are single occupancy with a shared bathroom. Linens and toiletries will be provided.

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 2026. Should I still apply?  All fellows must be available to attend the entirety of the Congress of Educators experience from July 26-30, 2026.