JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A teacher at Ribault Middle School has been selected for a nationally recognized civics fellowship, placing her among 100 educators chosen from across the country.
Monet Baker-Weatherspoon, a civics teacher and Social Studies department lead, was named a delegate for the “We the Teachers: Preparing the Next Generation Through History & Civics” fellowship at William & Mary.
“As a civics educator, I am committed to ensuring students understand their rights, responsibilities, and role in society,” Baker-Weatherspoon said. “This fellowship will strengthen my ability to bring meaningful, engaging civic learning experiences back to my classroom and school community.”
The four-day Congress of Educators will take place in July 2026 in Virginia’s Historic Triangle — Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown — where participants will engage in immersive, hands-on learning tied to the nation’s founding.
The program is timed to coincide with the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary and focuses on strengthening civics education through primary source analysis, civil dialogue and inquiry-based instruction.
“These teacher-leaders will explore America’s founding where it happened and prepare them to lead this work back in their home states,” said Mark Hofer, executive director of Strategic Cultural Partnerships.
The fellowship is led by William & Mary’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships division in collaboration with the National Council for History Education and is funded by a $2.89 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Officials said participants will return with classroom-ready resources, professional development tools and access to continued support through digital courses and credentials.
“This is an incredible honor,” said Dr. April Slade. “I am proud to have DCPS represented as part of this national cohort.”