East Hartford Public Schools is proud to congratulate Melissa Ewing, English Teacher at East Hartford High School, who was selected as a 2026 Fund for Teachers (FFT) Fellow. This prestigious program provides public school educators with grants for summer fellowships and experiential learning opportunities to bring back to their students.
With her grant, Ms. Ewing plans to participate in the “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance” course in London to learn approaches to shift teaching Shakespeare from a purely academic exercise to a dynamic, student-centered experience. In doing so, she hopes to increase engagement, confidence, and literacy skills while fostering inclusion and voice in the English classroom.
Ms. Ewing is one of 337 teachers across the country and 28 in Connecticut who were awarded 2026 FFT fellowships.
Since 2015, 74 East Hartford Public Schools teachers have been awarded fellowships through this program, making a true impact on teaching and learning in East Hartford.