We the Teachers Applications Questions

We the Teachers Fellowship Application

2027–2028 cohort — preview of the application questions

This page lists every question on the application so you can prepare your answers before you begin. Nothing entered here is saved. Applications are submitted through Qualtrics.

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 reimagining 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, the fellowship invites teachers to help write the next chapter in our nation's civic story.

Please note: If accepted, you must commit to fully participating in and attending all required programming and outreach described above in order to receive your $2,500 stipend.

Before you start, have ready: your school or district's mailing address, your supervisor's name and email address, a one- to two-page letter of intent, and a CV or resume of no more than two pages.

About you

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your last name?

3. Do you have a preferred name you go by?

4. What is your email address? Please use one you check regularly during both the school year and the summer.

5. State of residence

Choose one from a dropdown of all 50 states, plus Other.

6. State where you teach (if different than above)

Choose one from a dropdown of all 50 states, plus Other.

7. Residence location, if other (e.g., Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, international)

Short text. Asked only if you selected Other above.

Educational context

8. What is the name of your school? (No special characters, please — letters and numbers only.)

9. What is your school or district's full mailing address?

10. Which best describes the population of the community that you serve?

Choose all that apply: Rural / Suburban / Urban / Virtual / Other (you will be asked to describe it).

11. Is your school Title I (50% or more free and reduced-price lunch)?

Choose one: Yes / Not sure / No.

Role and teaching context

12. How many years of experience do you have working in education?

Choose one: I am a first-year teacher / 1–5 / 6–10 / 11–15 / 16–20 / 20+.

13. Please select all that apply to your current role in the school or district.

Choose all that apply: Classroom teacher / Department chair / Grade level leader / District curriculum specialist / District curriculum supervisor / District curriculum coach / Other (you will be asked to describe it).

14. What grade level band(s) does your current role include?

Choose all that apply: K–2 / 3–5 / 6–8 / 9–12.

15. What courses do you currently teach or anticipate teaching in the 2027–2028 school year?

Choose all that apply: Elementary-level history/social studies / U.S. History / American Government / Civics / Economics / World History / Geography / AP U.S. History / AP World History / AP Government / AP Economics / AP Human Geography / AP African American History / African American History / State and/or local history / Other (you will be asked to describe it).

Organizational support

16. Provide your supervisor's full name.

17. Provide your supervisor's email address. Your supervisor will receive an email with a link to a confidential adjudication survey, where they will provide detail about your qualifications for this fellowship. Your application is not considered complete until your supervisor has submitted that survey. After submitting your application, please connect with your supervisor to ensure they complete their reference in a timely manner; all references are due by December 15, 2026. You will receive an email confirmation when your supervisor has submitted their reference.

18. Competitive preference for participation in We the Teachers will be given to educators who have completed at least one course on lilyPD: Professional Development Provided by William & Mary, an online microcourse platform with professional development courses for K–12 educators. Have you completed at least one lilyPD course?

19. If you wish to receive competitive preference consideration, please save this survey and complete a course on lilyPD.

Notice only, no answer required. Shown if you answered No above.

20. What course did you complete on lilyPD?

Choose all that apply: The Horizon of Independence / Artifact Analysis / Civil Discourse in the Classroom / Podcasting for Educators / Historical Inquiry in the Classroom / Nonfiction Reading Strategies. Asked only if you answered Yes above.

21. Write a short description of how the course(s) you completed on lilyPD has impacted your work as an educator.

Long text, a short paragraph. Asked only if you answered Yes above.

22. Please submit a one- to two-page letter of intent about your interest in this program that includes the following:

Describe your experience with and your approach to teaching civics and/or American history.
How does teaching at this moment in history make you feel?
Using at least one specific example, describe how you have led professional learning, mentored other teachers, and/or collaborated with other educators.
Explain how this program would impact you, your community, and/or your classroom.

Long text, one to two pages, addressing all four points. Draft it elsewhere and paste it in.

23. Upload your CV or resume.

File upload, no more than two pages.

24. I acknowledge that William & Mary will provide each participant with a $1,500 stipend at the conclusion of the in-person seminar to cover travel to the event. Lodging, meals, and other related expenses are provided in addition to the stipend. I also acknowledge that an additional $1,000 stipend will be awarded upon meeting all terms and conditions for the We the Teachers program. Both stipends are considered taxable income.

Choose one: Yes / No.