The Innovation Hub’s Summer Fellowship Institute is a two-week, in-person experience that launches the Innovation Hub Teacher Fellowship year.
Across two distinct weeks, fellows deepen their understanding of the Charlottesville community, build relationships with local partners, and design powerful interdisciplinary projects - while also developing personalized professional learning plans to guide growth throughout the year.
Most days will run from 10 AM - 3:30 PM. Lunch will be provided!
2026 Summer Institute
Innovation Hub Teacher Fellowship Program
Week One: July 6-10
Our Community Partners and What Works in Charlottesville
Focus: Understanding the Charlottesville community and the assets that support our students and schools.
During the first week, fellows will explore Charlottesville through direct engagement with local organizations, partners, and spaces. This week centers on learning with and from community partners to better understand the strengths, resources, and opportunities that shape our students’ lives.
Fellows will:
Learn about and engage with community partners, including:
Participate in an ACCESS Mapping activity to identify community assets, power structures, and opportunities for authentic partnership
Engage in hands-on, place-based activities in and around Charlottesville, including
Build shared language and understanding around community-centered learning
By the end of Week One, fellows will leave with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the Charlottesville community and the partners who help support students beyond the classroom.
Week Two: July 13-17
Interdisciplinary Project Design and Professional Learning Plans
Focus: Collaboratively designing projects for CMS students and planning fellows’ professional growth
The second week shifts toward interdisciplinary project development and intentional planning for the school year ahead. Building on insights from Week One, fellows collaborate across content areas to design projects rooted in community context and classroom realities.
Fellows will:
Collaboratively design interdisciplinary, computationally-rich projects for implementation during the school year
Explore structures and strategies for project-based learning across content areas
Develop a personalized professional learning plan aligned to individual instructional goals and interests
Reflect, iterate, and receive feedback on both project ideas and professional learning plans
Establish routines for revisiting and refining plans during bi-monthly fellowship meetings
Note: Professional learning plans are teacher-driven and flexible, serving as living documents that evolve throughout the fellowship year.