In 2013, a fellowship program for graduate students involved in introducing philosophy into K-12 schools was established at the University of Washington. In 2024 PLATO expanded the program to create national fellowships, open to US graduate students.

The Gerler Fellowship Program is named in memory of Dan Gerler, cherished friend and steadfast PLATO champion, who died on April 15, 2024, from pancreatic cancer. During his life, Dan believed wholeheartedly in the power of philosophy to cultivate critical thinking, curiosity, and openness in the youngest among us. A longtime donor, he served as an Advisory Board member for the Center for Philosophy for Children before it merged with PLATO in 2022, and as a PLATO committee member until his diagnosis in 2023. Dan supported the fellowship program from its inception. 

Dan judging the Washington State High School Ethics Bowl

“Dan was a treasure — a person of integrity and substance, modest and thoughtful, and with a great sense of humor. I miss him and his counsel, and I hope his legacy can live on through this gift and what it will make possible for thousands of students over the years.” 
Jana Mohr Lone, PLATO Executive Director

Dan’s substantial bequest to PLATO will support philosophy education for years to come. We remain deeply grateful for his generosity and commitment to PLATO’s work.

Fellowships are open to any graduate student at a US college or university who is working with a program to bring philosophy into schools. 

Gerler Fellows are expected to play a significant role in helping to develop and/or support the philosophy in the schools program in their communities. 

Gerler Fellows are required to attend online monthly meetings to discuss and support their programs, and are encouraged to attend PLATO’s monthly community of practice meetings of fellows and philosophers-in-residence around the country. Fellows are also required to submit written reports to PLATO in December and May of the fellowship year, detailing the work in which they have been involved.

Other specific responsibilities are determined by the program and the fellow.

For academic year 2026-2027, each Gerler Fellowship is $5,000.

Questions? Please contact us at info@plato-philosophy.org.

The Gerler Fellowship application process consists of the following:

1. Statement of Interest. Please submit a statement of no more than 500 words describing your interest in becoming a PLATO Graduate Fellow, including your experience and/or interest in bringing philosophy into K-12 schools. (Limit 500 words)
   
   
2. Description of Intent. Please describe the philosophy in the schools program with which you work. How would the fellowship help to expand or support the work you and/or the program are already doing in the schools? (Limit 500 words)
   
   
3. Letter of Support. Please attach one letter of support from someone who runs or is involved in the philosophy in the schools program at your institution who can describe how this fellowship would enhance the program’s work and the role you have played or will play in the program. 

Deadline
All application materials must be submitted electronically by April 30 each year. The 2027 application form will be available here in late fall 2026.

FELLOWS 2026-2027

Sam Kahn

Sam is beginning his third year in a PhD program in the Philosophy Department at UC Santa Cruz. Before coming to UCSC, Sam taught middle school humanities (a combination of reading, writing, history, and drama) for five years in Dallas, TX and East Palo Alto, CA. In addition to his work teaching philosophy for children locally, he also has in-progress research projects on the role of the imagination in social perception, the ‘attention crisis,’ and the social stakes of AI enabled cyber hacking. Last summer, Sam designed lesson plans for PLATO’s “Philosophy Toolkit” and is excited to continue collaborating with PLATO through the Gerler Fellowship to expand the reach of P4C locally in Santa Cruz.

Paige Adzema

Paige Adzema is a master’s student in philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder. She serves as the K-12 Facilitator for POPCO (the Philosophy Outreach Program of Colorado), developing and leading philosophy programs for K-12 students across Colorado’s Front Range. Her research interests lie at the intersection of philosophy of education and epistemology, with a focus on children’s epistemic standing and agency. She is passionate about making philosophy accessible to all ages and is especially committed to helping young people recognize themselves as capable philosophical thinkers.

PAST FELLOWS