OKLAHOMA CITY — Thirty-seven Oklahoma educators will immerse themselves in early American history this summer at the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg.
The teachers were selected to receive fellowships to the renowned teacher institute, held in and around Williamsburg, Virginia. The restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia is considered the world’s largest living history museum.
At the teacher institute, educators interact with character interpreters, participate in hands-on activities and collaborate with a facilitator on developing lesson plans and interactive teaching techniques.
The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence coordinates the selection of educators from the state for fellowships that cover program activities, airfare, lodging and most meals. Each attendee also receives a $300 stipend for classroom materials.
“We’re proud to work with the teacher institute to facilitate this exceptional professional development experience for our Oklahoma educators,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for them to immerse themselves in 18th-century history and learn alongside their peers.”
2025 attendee Ashleigh Schaffer, who teaches at El Reno Public Schools’ Etta Dale Junior High, said the teacher institute gave her the tools to bring history to life in engaging, meaningful ways.
“By learning directly from historians and interacting with historical interpreters, I gained new strategies to teach primary sources, encourage critical thinking and create lessons that connect students to the people, events and ideas that shaped our nation,” Schaffer said.
The 2026 sessions will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with the theme “Revolutionary Roots: Teaching Civic Engagement at 250.”
Oklahoma’s fifth grade teacher institute will take place May 31-June 5, while the eighth grade teachers will be visiting from June 7-12.
OFE, a nonpartisan nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools, has coordinated Oklahoma’s participation in the teacher institute since 1993. The program is made possible through the leadership and support of the late Oklahoma City businessman Edward C. Joullian III. Joullian was an active supporter and former board member of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and an OFE trustee. Joullian’s family, along with a group of loyal donors, continues to support the fellowship program, which has served 1,262 Oklahoma teachers since 1993.
Fifth Grade Fellowship Recipients
Mandy Bonadonna, Elgin Middle School
Madison Boswell, Willard Grade Center (Ada)
Natilee Clayton, Overholser Elementary School (Putnam City)
Carol Conrad, Jarman Elementary School (Union)
Caleb Davis, Westwood Elementary School (Stillwater)
Stacy Doughty, Plainview Intermediate School
Alexandra Elliott, Windsor Hills Elementary School (Putnam City)
Amy Fetters, Willard Grade Center (Ada)
Susan McGill, Westside Elementary School (Claremore)
Emma McQueen, Nichols Upper Elementary School (Miami)
Hunter Najera, Mayo Demonstration School (Tulsa)
Janet Neal, McAuliffe Elementary School (Union)
Shelby Nobles, Arbor Grove Elementary School (Putnam City)
Monica Peevyhouse, Frederick Elementary School
Jennifer Ragland, McAuliffe Elementary School (Union)
Kristin Reid, Elgin Middle School
Phoebe Smith, Jenks East Intermediate School
Jessica Smith, Welch Elementary School
Beth Sprague, St. John Nepomuk Catholic School
Justin Trujillo, Sequoyah Upper Elementary School
Madeline VanDover, Apple Creek Elementary School (Moore)
Terisha Wade, Stuart Elementary School
Nancy Weber, Rosa Parks Elementary School (Union)
MaryAnne Whetstone, Roblyer Middle School (El Reno)
Nichole Whitley, Westwood Elementary School (Stillwater)
Shanna Willis, Sallie Gillentine Elementary School (Hollis)
Diane Wood, Lincoln Elementary School (Norman)
Eighth Grade Fellowship Recipients
Heather Braucher, Pryor Middle School
April Carter, Spiro Middle School
Mallory Hawkins, Riverfield Country Day School
Gina Huff, Spiro Upper Elementary School
Matthew Jobe, Ewing Halsell Middle School (Vinita)
Sasha Kirkpatrick, Alva Middle School
Amy Miller, Comanche High School
Rebekah Newman, Nicoma Park Middle School (Choctaw-Nicoma Park)
Mary Robertson, Fargo-Gage High School
Ashleigh Schaffer, Etta Dale Junior High School (El Reno)