More About C-SPAN's Teacher Fellowship Each summer the Fellowship program brings three teacher fellows to C-SPAN headquarters in Washington, D.C. Chosen Fellows have come with as few as two years or as many as thirty years of teaching experience. They have come from all across the country, taught a variety of subjects and grade levels at private schools and public schools. Do you teach with C-SPAN? Are you willing to share your expertise with other educators? Then consider applying to C-SPAN's Middle and High School Teacher Fellowship program.

Read questions & answers from past Fellows about their experiences Watch former Fellows talk about their teaching Enroll in C-SPAN in the Classroom's free membership service

Questions & Answers from Former Fellows 1. What can an applicant gain professionally from being a C-SPAN Fellow? The C-SPAN fellowship is an opportunity to work with top educators from the C-SPAN education team and with other fellows with diverse experiences and expertise in education. Collaborating, researching and implementing lessons with such an outstanding team of colleagues is a professional development experience like none other.     Cheryl Davis, Miramonte High School, Orinda, CA Fellows gain as much as, or even more, than they offer to C-SPAN. C-SPAN itself has a positive, energized environment. The people there really believe in what they do and their sense of purpose can only motivate one to become a better teacher.     Stu Palczak, Amsterdam High School, Amsterdam, NY Professionally I grew so much from interacting with employees of C-SPAN and other teacher fellows. I learned a great deal about government, teaching government, and television production, too.     Susan Foster, Rancho Bernardo High School, San Diego, CA The exposure to the state of the art information systems, meticulous education department, and professional interaction strengthened my skills as a teacher. As a result of my time with C-SPAN hundreds, no make that thousands, of children had a more dynamic learning experience.     David Debs, Jacksonville, FL Teachers have much to gain by being a C-SPAN Fellow in Washington, DC. I had been scoffing at the role of television in the classroom until I became acquainted with the multiple cable-provided C-SPAN programs. Teachers of American history and government, and now, American literature, will be able to focus deeply on books in the subject field.     Martha Dailey, Mt. Greylock Regional High School, Williamstown, MA I guess that the biggest thing that I'll take back to Binghamton is a deeper appreciation for critical viewing of news. It's really interesting to check out the priorities of mainstream news media-especially in comparison to C-SPAN.     Matthew Stoner, Binghampton High School, Binghampton, NY Although, I have used C-SPAN in the past, now I have improved my skills using C-SPAN's web resources. I have learned that by using the C-SPAN video archives I can find all kinds of information that I didn't know was available.     Carlos Ardaya, Design & Architecture High School, Miami, FL I think my overall understanding of C-SPAN's mission and work has been enhanced by this experience...and I believe I will be better able to share that understanding with my students, fellow teachers and other interested adults.     Joe Gotchy, Thomas Jefferson High School, Auburn, WA 2. What was a personal highlight you experienced while you were in DC? As C-SPAN fellows we were asked for input, feedback and to evaluate content. Watching the broadcasts of Washington Journal and Booknotes live, discussing events of the day and educational issues with Brian Lamb and the C-SPAN team and being treated to an inside look at a public service cable network in action made for a most amazing month.     Cheryl Davis, Miramonte High School, Orinda, CA The first highlight was participating in the Bastille Day Run with the other fellows and several of the employees from the C-SPAN office. The second highlight was the overall experience of going through the process of creating a finished product to be placed on the C-SPAN web site.       Bobby Black, Mauldin High School, Mauldin, SC Meeting John McCain was one of the many highlights of my experience at C-SPAN. Another highlight was meeting and interacting with some of C-SPAN's long time staff and learning first-hand about the mission and critical viewing.     Susan Foster, Rancho Bernardo High School, San Diego, CA I love living in this town...I have the opportunity to walk across Capitol Hill every morning on my way to work. Between the Capital, Jefferson wing of the Library of Congress and Supreme Court, there is unlimited architectural eye candy.     Joe Gotchy, Thomas Jefferson High School, Auburn, WA I consider myself very fortunate to have been in DC and working at C-SPAN while the James Traficant Jr. case was unfolding. I followed this unique case day by day and I am still playing with my thoughts debating what is next!     Carlos Ardaya, Design and Architecture High School, Miami, FL Without hesitation I will credit the team at C-SPAN for making my time in DC personally enjoyable in every way. The friendships I made that summer have endured and are prized.     David Debs, Jacksonville, FL My fellowship was especially helpful in an election year. The C-SPAN fellows used political resources from across the nation.     Martha Dailey, Mt. Greylock Regional High School, Williamstown, MA My experience has been positive and dynamic. I get to incorporate my education background into creative, multimedia projects. I didn't know what to expect when I arrived, but the people at C-SPAN have been inspiring and supportive. They've made it easy for me.     Matthew Stoner, Binghampton High School, Binghampton, NY 3. What advice would you offer to teachers who are considering applying? The chance to spend a month in Washington DC, grow as an educator and contribute to civic education lessons for students is an opportunity that one shouldn't pass up. The C-SPAN fellowship will be a highlight of your teaching experience. The stories and ideas you'll take back to share with colleagues and students will be a valuable asset to your school, your district and most of all, your students.     Cheryl Davis, Miramonte High School, Orinda, CA If you are the type of teacher who occasionally dreams of some great new thing and making it happen gives you joy, then don't hesitate - apply today! This opportunity is for you!     David Debs, Jacksonville, FL Teachers will have an opportunity to work in the center of the political news media. Also, their students, colleagues, and administrators will all benefit from the unique experience that C-SPAN has to offer.     Matthew Stoner, Binghampton High School, Binghampton, NY Every social studies teacher in the United States should consider applying for this fellowship. After 29 years in the classroom I can say that the C-SPAN fellowship was one of the highlights of my teaching career. In turn, hundreds of thousands of students will have access to a wonderful new resource that can compliment their study of American history. Don't think about it another minute. Just apply!     Joe Gotchy, Thomas Jefferson High School, Auburn, WA