Wellton Elementary School
Wellton, AZ
Fauna Bushong, a dedicated 5th grade teacher at a Title I elementary school in rural Southwest Arizona, is transforming how her students experience civics education.
In the summer of 2024, Fauna attended the Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS) Summer Institute, where she was introduced to the We the People program. In her first year implementing the program, she went above and beyond to prepare her students for success in the simulated congressional hearings. She also recruited community members to serve as judges, creating a memorable learning experience for her students.
The following summer, Fauna continued her professional growth at the Project Community Summer Institute, where she gained the tools to implement Project Citizen. She brought the learning from both institutes back to her classroom, where she uses engaging, hands-on lessons to help students understand how history, government, and active citizenship connect to their own lives.
Fauna consistently exceeds expectations by implementing a range of high-quality civic education programs, including We the People, Project Citizen, Elevating Unheard Perspectives, and Student Participatory Budgeting. Her students do not just learn about government and democracy—they actively experience it. Through simulations and real-world applications, they build critical thinking skills, collaborate with peers, and develop a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Fauna's passion is evident in everything she does. She is deeply committed to equipping her students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become the changemakers of tomorrow.