The We the Teachers: Preparing the Next Generation Through History & Civics initiative is a nationally funded professional learning opportunity designed to strengthen K–12 history and civics education in advance of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. Led by William & Mary’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships and supported by a multi-year U.S. Department of Education grant, the program focuses on deepening teachers’ historical knowledge, strengthening inquiry-based pedagogy, and supporting high-quality civic education in classrooms across the country.
Selected educators will participate in a three-part professional learning experience. The centerpiece is a four-day, in-person Congress of Educators held at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where fellows engage with historians, museum professionals, and master teachers through immersive content sessions and hands-on learning experiences. Participants will also complete online micro-credential courses through the William & Mary School of Education, focused on practical strategies such as historical inquiry, civil discourse, primary source analysis, and nonfiction literacy. After returning home, fellows lead or support local learning communities, sharing what they’ve learned with colleagues in their schools or regions.
The program is intentionally designed to reduce barriers for educators. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend, and all major expenses—including lodging, meals, and program costs—are fully covered. The 2026 Congress of Educators will take place July 26–30, 2026, and participants are expected to attend the full experience and contribute to local professional learning afterward.
This opportunity is open to K–12 teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, and administrators, with priority given to current classroom educators. Applications open December 1, 2025, and are due January 31, 2026. For ICSS members, this fellowship represents a powerful chance to grow professionally, connect with a national network of social studies educators, and bring meaningful, classroom-ready history and civics learning back to Indiana schools.
