A Naples teacher is one of 25 in the country selected for a Teaching Ambassador Fellowship position with the U.S. Department of Education this year.

The fellowship position will not take Anna Walker away from Songo Locks Elementary School, where she is a third-grade teacher, instead she will give input on national education policies while teaching.

“Anna Walker will provide the Department of Education with invaluable classroom experience as she collaborates with federal policymakers on multiple issues impacting America’s students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.

Walker has been teaching at Songo Locks Elementary School for the past five years. She has focused on reading and math support and had been a special education aide. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in literacy from Lesley University.

More than 1,000 teachers nationwide applied for the fellowships, which offer public school teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experience to the national dialogue on public education.

The five Washington fellows and 20 classroom fellows, who represent 21 states across the country, were selected based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement and potential for contribution to the field.

Eight of the fellows are high school teachers, 10 are middle school teachers and seven are elementary school teachers. Three are general elementary school teachers; six have math expertise; five specialize in reading and language arts; five are science teachers; three educate social studies students; one provides art instruction; one brings knowledge of critical language instruction; and one is a physical education teacher.

Additionally, many have extensive experience teaching special education students, as well as non-native English speakers.

Walker and other classroom fellows will serve their regular teaching contracts as well as participating in fellowship activities such as communicating with the Department of Education, collaborating with other fellows, completing written assignments and working on a special project.