ShawneeDispatch.com

Monticello Trails Middle School teacher Keil Hileman was named one of 25 teachers selected for a Teacher Ambassador Fellowship position with the U.S. Department of Education.

Hileman, of De Soto, teaches Museum Connections, a course that uses artifacts to help teach history.

He said he found out about the program through other educators.

This is the first year for the Teacher Ambassador Fellowship program, and more than 1,000 teachers nationwide applied for the fellowships that will allow public school teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge to the national dialogue on public education.

"We, as fellows, get to work on a project, either alone, in groups or as a whole," Hileman said. "I will keep a journal all year long. The end goal is that the fellows create something that can be used by teachers."

The fellows met Monday in Washington, D.C, for a weeklong orientation and policy conference. The events include a roundtable discussion with Spellings, a briefing with senior department officials on policy matters and the opportunity to share best practices and local educational challenges.

Although Hileman will spend his time this school year as a fellow, he will still teach full-time at Monticello Trails.

The fellows were selected based on their leadership, influence on student achievement and potential for contribution to the field. They represent 21 states across the country. Of the 25 fellows, eight are high school teachers, 10 are middle school teachers and seven are elementary school teachers.

Hileman was Kansas Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Teacher of the Year in 2004. He has taught middle school for 15 years.