The Brown Teacher Research Fellowship provides Virginia educators the opportunity to research and study a specific aspect of Virginia history and produce educational resources to support the Library of Virginia’s ongoing exhibition and education programs. The award includes a generous stipend as well as an allocation to cover registration fees and travel for conference presentations.

Over the course of two weeks during the summer, the Brown Fellow works with staff members of the Library of Virginia—including consultation with reference and archival staff members—to pursue research on the selected topic for the year. The Brown Fellow is also encouraged to make presentations at educational conferences based on his or her research and lesson plans.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about the Brown Teacher Fellowship.

The Anne and Ryland Brown Teacher Research Fellows for 2011

Nicole Hancock teaches U.S. history and English at J. E. J. Moore Middle School in Prince George, Virginia. She is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, and has a master’s degree in history from Virginia State University. Hancock employs a cross-curricular approach, combining history and English curricula in her classroom. She also uses primary sources to help students delve deeply into the content.

Sally Miller is a fourth-grade teacher at William F. Fox Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia. Miller and her students read a book by John Stokes and then nominated him as a 2011 African American Trailblazer at the Library of Virginia. She has a degree in early education from Auburn University. Miller is also an R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence finalist, was selected for the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, and serves on the Virginia Historical Society Education Board.

Past Recipients:

2010: Penny Anderson and Jennifer Zecher
The 2010 Anne and Ryland Brown Teacher Research Fellows - from the August 2010 issue of The Commonwealth: A Newsletter for Teachers and Education Professionals from the Library of Virginia.

2009: Celia Polin and Nathaniel Morrison
Meet the 2009 Brown Teacher Research Fellows - from the Fall 2009 issue of the Library's magazine Broadside.