Blair's Donna Whitney awarded prestigious Fulbright teaching honor

Donna Whitney

Photo: English teacher Donna Whitney received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching.

English teacher Donna Whitney received a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching. Photo courtesy of Zach Carter.

In English teacher Donna Whitney’s classroom at Blair, every wall tells a story. The walls are lined with student-created posters and projects that reflect her teaching philosophy—connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences and fostering a global mindset. This approach has not only inspired countless students over her 30-year career, but has also earned her the prestigious Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching. Chosen as one of just 400 educators globally for this honor in the 2024-2025 academic year, Whitney will have the chance to travel to a region of her choice and immerse herself in its culture and educational practices. "It’s a pretty surreal experience [to be selected], because I have always wanted to do a global exchange for as long as I've been teaching," she shares.

What is the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching?

The Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching is part of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX." The program enables bilateral teacher exchanges between the U.S. and over 80 countries worldwide. In preparation for the exchange, Fulbright teachers first complete a 10 week long intensive global education course and develop a lesson plan before embarking on a three week field experience abroad. The program provides educators an exceptional professional development opportunity, allowing them to gain insights into international teaching methods and develop a broader cultural perspective to bring back to their own classrooms. Ultimately, it aims to improve student outcomes and address the needs of an increasingly diverse student population in U.S. schools.

Inspiring a global mindset in the classroom

For Whitney, this program is a natural extension of her career-long commitment to experiential learning and cultural exchange. Her passion for fostering global awareness began early in her career. Growing up in a small town in Virginia with limited exposure to the world, she was determined to give her students a broader experience. "I want students to experience the kind of things that I didn’t necessarily get to have growing up," she explains. She put this into practice from her first year in teaching, organizing trips to seven embassies — including those of Ghana and Colombia — to give students an authentic glimpse into other cultures.

Since then, Whitney has organized countless real-world experiences for her students, to broaden their worldview. A recent example is her trip to the Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C., with her Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition class. This visit connected directly to the themes in the books they had been studying, including "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" and "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin. Junior Zadie Brown found the trip to be extremely informative, especially in deepening her understanding of the class material. "The way we were able to connect it to the class was really interesting… it provided new perspectives," she says. "I think that was really cool."

A curriculum built on relevance and equity 

One of Whitney’s contributions to the Blair community has been the way she incorporates literature highlighting minority voices and varied perspectives in the AP Language and Composition curriculum. "I try to weave in topics of identity, justice, activism, you know, all of those things to help my students become empowered to do something," Whitney says. By thoughtfully integrating works from authors representing various backgrounds, Whitney ensures her students can see their own experiences reflected in the curriculum.

This approach stems from her belief that students learn best when they feel seen and valued. Each year, she tailors her reading list and course content to align with her students’ passions, ensuring the lessons are not only rigorous but also engaging. "I look at what the students are coming to me with every year and see what they’re passionate about," she says.

Sophia Jones, a junior in Whitney's class, finds that this strategy works." I think her teaching style works well… it really feels like you're learning from someone who really knows their stuff and really wants to teach you about it," she says. 

Supporting the Blair community 

 As coordinator of the Human Services Professions Academy, Whitney’s impact on the Blair community extends beyond academics. This unique program encourages students interested in fields like psychology, teaching, and social work to explore their career options through real-world experiences and mentoring. "A huge part of the role for those in human service professions is really encouraging others to be their best, and helping nurture them," Whitney says. She even collaborates with groups like Holy Cross Hospital, and invites professionals to share their experiences with students interested in pursuing careers in interpersonal-focused fields.

In this position, Whitney also emphasizes on the importance of self-care and balance, guiding students on how to sustain their passion for service while avoiding burnout. Her mentoring approach not only helps students find a fulfilling career path but also builds a sense of community and mutual support among them.

Looking forward 

Ahead of her Fulbright exchange experience, Whitney is collaborating with fellow educators and mentors across the U.S., developing a project and lesson plan suited for a global classroom. Naturally, her project is an extension of her commitment to experiential, project-based learning connected to real-world issues. It centers around the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly gun violence and police brutality. "My passion is around gun violence, especially police brutality. It's not just an issue in the U.S.," she says. 

Whitney's upcoming Fulbright journey is more than an opportunity to teach; she aims to gain a deeper understanding of how these global challenges impact communities worldwide. She seeks to view these issues through different cultural and regional lenses, with the ultimate goal of bringing this broader perspective back to Blair. By doing so, she hopes to instill a greater sense of curiosity, purpose, and empathy among her students. "I think a more connected world is a more empathetic world; it's a more loving world," she reflects. "My goal is to be part of that kind, empathetic, and loving world."