National Oratory Fellows Application

The National Oratory Fellows Program is a professional development initiative for educators teaching grades 5–8. At Ford’s Theatre, we use oratory and arts-integrated pedagogy to strengthen teachers’ instructional practice and expand their classroom toolkit. Through this work, we explore how civic voice and performance can unite to deepen student learning, amplify self-expression and inspire authentic growth.

Name

Prefix

Name(Required)

First Last

Home Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone Number(Required)

Email Address(Required)

Please list any dietary restrictions you may have:

Teaching Information

What video conferencing platform does your school use?(Required)

Grade Level (check all that apply)(Required)

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

What content area(s) do you teach?(Required)

How long have you been in the teaching profession?(Required)

0-1 years

2-5 years

5-8 years

8+ years

What brought you into the teaching profession?(Required)

Have you participated in an educational program with Ford’s Theatre before? Which program(s) offered by Ford have you participated in previously?(Required)

How did you hear about this program?(Required)

Teaching Philosophy and Practices

In complete sentences, please respond to the following short-answer questions.

Why do you wish to join the National Oratory Fellows Program specifically at Ford’s Theatre?(Required)

Describe how you currently engage your students in public speaking, performance, or expressive voice. What obstacles have you encountered? What possibilities do you see?(Required)

What additional skills are you seeking to build at this point in your teaching career?(Required)

What challenges or opportunities do your students have that attending this institute will help you address?(Required)

How will you share your experience in the program with colleagues and administrators in your home school/district?(Required)

In what ways do you currently collaborate with other educators?(Required)

This is a multi-year professional development program that requires travel to Washington, D.C. for two retreats per year for at least three consecutive years. This includes a Monday and Tuesday during the May Retreat. Will your school administration be supportive of your participation in this program, including the cost of hiring a substitute teacher during your travel if necessary?(Required)

Is there anything else you would like to inform us about your school community or teaching practice?(Required)

School Information

School Name(Required)

School Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

School Phone Number(Required)

School District's Congressperson Name(Required)

First Last

What is the median income for households in your district?(Required)

School's Title One Status / ~ % Students Receiving Free or Reduced Lunch:(Required)

What is the ethnic breakdown of your school's population? *(Required)

E-News Subscription

Would you like to subscribe to the Enews for Teachers?(Required)

Yes

Already Subscribed

I acknowledge that this is a multi-year program that requires in-person participation twice a year, the first weekends in August and May in addition to online Zoom meetings during the school year.(Required)

Acknowledge

Ford’s Theatre Education seeks applicants who bring a variety of perspectives and lived experiences* to the week of learning.

*Including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, professional experience, geographic region.

Statement of Support

In order for your application to be complete, provide a brief statement, written by your supervisor (Assistant Principal, Principal, Department Head) supporting your participation in the program. The statement must include your supervisor’s name, title, and contact information.

Max. file size: 50 MB.