Professional Development Institute for Virginia Educators

Are you ready to transform how you teach Virginia history and culture? Join us for an intensive week exploring the rich, complex stories of African American, Latina/o/e, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), and Native American communities that have shaped the Commonwealth — stories often missing from traditional curricula. This institute is a collaboration between Virginia Commonwealth University, the Library of Virginia, and Virginia Humanities, bringing together K-12 educators with leading scholars, rare primary sources, and innovative pedagogical approaches. All educators committed to teaching the humanities (including media specialists, librarians, curriculum specialists, after-school specialists, home school teachers, and other non-traditional educators) are encouraged to apply. Continuing education credits will be provided.

group of men and women in a library listening to a woman describe the historic documents on the table in front of them

Race and Ethnicity in Virginia: Transforming K-12 Teaching Through Local Histories

Dates: July 13–17, 2026

Location: Library of Virginia

Application Deadline: March 20, 2026

Virginia students need to see themselves in the history they learn and to understand how the past shapes the present. This institute, sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University, the Library of Virginia and Virginia Humanities, will equip educators with the knowledge, resources and confidence to teach Virginia's full, complex story — centering voices that have too often been marginalized or erased.

Application Information

Institute Themes

  • African American Educational Activism
    From enslaved communities' pursuit of literacy to Civil Rights-era school desegregation
  • Latina/o/e Histories in Virginia
    Migration, labor, community formation, and contemporary experiences
  • Native American Sovereignty and Survival
    Indigenous presence from pre-colonial times to the present
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Histories and Pedagogy
    Virginia specific AAPI stories and strategies on how to incorporate SOL aligned AAPI history into your curriculum
  • Intersections and Connections
    How these histories overlap, diverge, and inform our understanding of Virginia today

What you'll be doing

  • Engage with Primary Sources
    Work hands-on with archival materials, historical documents, photographs, and artifacts from the Library of Virginia's collections that illuminate untold stories of Virginia's diverse communities.
  • Learn from Leading Scholars
    Collaborate with VCU faculty experts in African American Studies, Latinx Studies, and Native American/Indigenous Studies, as well as nationally recognized visiting scholars.
  • Visit Historic Sites
    Travel to significant landmarks across Virginia that connect to themes of resistance, resilience, and community-building among marginalized populations.
  • Develop Curriculum
    Create ready-to-use lesson plans and teaching units, individually and with fellow teachers, aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning that you can implement in your classroom.
  • Build Community
    Connect with fellow educators from across Virginia who share your commitment to educational equity and justice.

What's Included

  • At least $1,300 stipend for full participation
  • Breakfast and lunch during institute days
  • Support finding accommodations in Richmond
  • Transportation to historic sites via charter coach
  • Curriculum resources including books, teaching materials, and digital archives
  • Professional development credit
  • Ongoing support through a community of practice after the institute

How to Apply

Submit Application

Please include the following with your application and submit as a single document:

  1. Current resume or CV
    • Must indicate grade levels and subjects taught; number of years teaching; familiarity with and/or training in content/background knowledge.
  2. Short essay (500–750 words) addressing:
    • What gaps you've identified in teaching race and ethnicity in your current curriculum
    • How this institute will strengthen your teaching practice
    • What you hope to create and share with your students
  3. Recommended (not required):
    • Administrator support letter (brief email confirmation of support is sufficient)
Submit Application
Who can apply?

Virginia K-12 educators who:

  • Teach Social Studies, English/Language Arts, or related subjects
  • Are passionate about accurate historical narratives
  • Want to deepen their understanding of race and ethnicity in Virginia history
  • Are ready to develop new curriculum materials for their classrooms
  • Teach in grades 4–12 (all levels encouraged to apply)
  • Other non-traditional educators, after-school specialists, home school teachers, librarians, media specialists, and curriculum specialists are also encouraged to apply.
Important Dates
  • Application Deadline: March 20, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
  • Notification of Acceptance: April 15, 2026
  • Institute Dates: July 13–17, 2026
Need more information?

If you have any questions about the application, please reach out to Dr. Rachel Gomez at gomezr3@vcu.edu.

Sponsored in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Humanities

Virginia Commonwealth University logo
Virginia Humanities logo in dark blue