Human Rights Close to Home offers professional development for teacher fellows through a one-year, stipend-supported program. Up to twenty teacher fellows learn and share human rights knowledge, civic engagement skills, and rights-based pedagogical approaches in order to bring human rights curriculum to their classrooms and schools. K-12 teachers throughout Connecticut in any subject area are welcome to apply.
The application will open late fall/early winter. Check back here for updates and to access the application at that time.
Key Activities for Teacher Fellows
Summer Institute:
Summer 2025 Dates: July 7, 2025 - July 16, 2025 (Week 1: Monday through Friday, Week 2: Monday through Wednesday, approximately 9:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Summer 2026 Date: One day in July 2026. Exact day to be confirmed.
As a teacher fellow, you will explore human rights issues, learn teaching strategies, and develop and receive feedback on curriculum materials/educational initiatives that support civic engagement for human rights. Speakers will include expert scholars, school and community leaders, educators, community-based civics and human rights organizations, and youth leaders. The Summer Institute will take place at the UConn Storrs campus. High School Student Fellows join the Summer Institute with you for the first week, learning about human rights and how to take civic action alongside you.
Housing for those commuting an hour or more to campus may be available. Please indicate your need for housing on campus during the Summer Institute in the online application.
Curriculum Development & Contributions to Sustained Learning:
You will develop and implement human rights curricula during the academic year, documenting successes and challenges along the way. HRCH will work with you to compile outputs as part of an open resource for future human rights and civic educators.
Professional Development:
During regular meetings as a cohort during the school year, (2 online and 3 in person), you will further develop your knowledge and skills, engage with fellow educators, and receive personalized coaching and feedback on your efforts to empower youth civic engagement and teach human rights. HRCH will also facilitate resource sharing and communicating through an online forum.
Alumni:
Alumni of HRCH will have opportunities to continue to engage with HRCH and each other after completing the yearlong program through our alumni network.
Program Timeline
November/December 2024: Applications for the 2025-2026 HRCH teacher fellowship open
February 28, 2025: Application deadline
March 17: Decisions sent
April 1: Commitments due
May - June: Program information sent
July 7 - July 16: Summer Institute (Week 1: Monday to Friday, Week 2: Monday to Wednesday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm)
August/September: First stipend payment of $750 disbursed upon completion of Summer Institute
September -June: Implement human rights curriculum with support from the HRCH team and peers
June/July 2026: End of program celebration (exact day to be determined)
July/August 2026: Second stipend payment of $750 disbursed upon program completion
Online Information Sessions for Teachers
To request an information session on HRCH for K-12 teachers in your school or community organization, please contact us at hrch@uconn.edu.
How to Apply
The application to apply for the 2025-2026 HRCH Teacher Fellowship will open in late fall/early winter. Please check back here at that time to access the application.
If you have any questions, please contact us at hrch@uconn.edu.