09/22/2026
This summer, Ms. McDonald, a dedicated 5th-grade teacher at our West Jordan campus, participated in the Civil War Washington program in Washington, D.C. Her experience provided her with invaluable insights into American history, which she is excited to share with her students. Below is an article detailing her journey, accompanied by some captivating photos she captured along the way. We are truly grateful for our amazing teachers who continually seek to enrich the learning experience for their students and staff!
**Bringing History to Life: West Jordan 5th Grade Teacher Kristen McDonald Selected for Elite Civil War Fellowship in Washington, D.C.**
WEST JORDAN — History is often taught through a timeline of dates, battles, and names to memorize. But for Kristen McDonald, a 5th-grade teacher at our West Jordan campus, a prestigious summer fellowship in Washington, D.C. has completely transformed her approach to the past.
McDonald was recently selected to participate in "Civil War Washington," a highly competitive professional development program run by the historic Ford’s Theatre. The program brings together top educators from across the nation to dive deep into the heart of American history.
**A Four-Year Journey of Perseverance**
Securing a spot in the program is no small feat. Admission requires a rigorous application process, including an extensive essay and a letter of support from an administrator. For McDonald, the acceptance was the culmination of years of dedication.
"Mr. Glathar first sent out a flyer for the program back in 2020, and I have applied every year since," McDonald shared. "He has also written me a recommendation letter every single year, so we were both ecstatic when I was finally accepted this year!"
In her application, McDonald focused heavily on the needs of her 5th-grade students in today's digital age.
"Many of my 5th graders have access to TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms, where they are constantly exposed to conversations about our current political climate," she explained. "At their age, however, they often don’t have the historical or civic context needed to fully understand what they are seeing and hearing. I wanted to deepen my own understanding of American history so I could give my students that foundation."
**Humanizing the Past**
While in the nation's capital, McDonald visited iconic monuments and historical sites. Although she has always loved history, standing where the events actually unfolded offered a profound shift in perspective.
Her absolute favorite site was the historic home of abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass. Across all the landmarks, the overriding theme of her journey was the realization of how deeply human these historical figures truly were.
"Being there gave me a much deeper understanding of just how complicated and messy their lives were," McDonald said. "They struggled with difficult decisions, made mistakes, experienced loss, and questioned themselves. I found myself wondering how I would have acted in certain situations."
This realization sparked a new vision for her classroom. McDonald plans to shift away from traditional rote memorization toward narrative-based learning. By focusing on the stories, struggles, and emotions of real people, she believes her 5th graders will be able to truly empathize with and connect to the material.
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