U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has named Keil Hileman, a Shawnee middle school teacher for the De Soto district, as one of 25 teachers selected for a teaching ambassador fellowship program for the 2008-2009 school year.

Hileman was the 2004 Kansas Teacher of the Year and teaches social studies at Monticello Trails Middle School in Shawnee. He has created a “Museum in the Classroom,” including thousands of original artifacts.

The program for the 2008-2009 fellows begins Monday in Washington with a one-week orientation and policy conference. The events include a roundtable discussion with Spellings, briefings with senior department officials and opportunities to exchange ideas with educators.

Hileman, who has a master’s degree in education from Kansas University, also was a 2004 finalist for National Teacher of the Year and the 2007 Outstanding Teacher of American History named by the Daughters of the American Revolution National Society.

Spellings said Hileman will lend classroom experience as he talks with federal policymakers on education issues.