Templeton Middle School Teacher Rhonda Watton is among 100 teacher delegates selected from all fifty states for the ‘We the Teachers: Preparing the Next Generation Through History & Civics National Fellowship Program’ at William & Mary, a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Part of this intense professional development includes attending the Congress of Educators, a four-day experience taking place in July 2026 across the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.
“I’m really grateful to be attending this amazing opportunity,” shares Watton, who teaches eighth grade social studies. “This program selected 100 teachers from across the country to do a deep dive into America’s founding in the places where it happened!”
The program is tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. The fellowship builds on the university’s strong reputation for preparing civic leaders and gives teachers proven, practical strategies to help their students learn more effectively.
“Welcoming 100 teachers from across the nation to the Historic Triangle is a remarkable opportunity,” said William & Mary Executive Director of Strategic Cultural Partnerships and School of Education Professor Mark Hofer. “These teacher-leaders will walk the same ground as the founders, grappling with the same questions and preparing them to lead this work back in their home states.”
“I am most looking forward to collaborating and learning with other like-minded educators, through place-based learning, primary sources, inquiry and civil discourse,” explains Watton. “Ultimately, I am excited to be able to integrate the resources and experiences with my students in order to make this era of history more meaningful and relevant.”