A social studies teacher from Woodside High School in Newport News has secured a $24,000 fellowship. The grant supports advanced training in teaching the U.S. Constitution. Only one teacher per state is selected each year.
In Newport News, a significant recognition has been given to a local educator: Janet Costello, a social studies teacher at Woodside High School, has been awarded the James Madison Graduate Fellowship for the Commonwealth of Virginia. This prestigious fellowship, valued at $24,000, is designed to strengthen the teaching of the U.S. Constitution at the secondary school level. The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, established and funded by Congress since 1986, selects just one recipient from each state annually, making the competition for this grant especially rigorous.
The selection process involves a detailed application and review by a state-level committee, with the goal of identifying educators committed to advancing constitutional knowledge and civic engagement in their classrooms. Costello described the fellowship as a community of teachers dedicated to these principles. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing her intention to deepen her expertise in American government and civic education.
With the support of the fellowship, Costello plans to pursue a master’s degree in teaching American government at Ashland University. This academic path will also enable her to meet the requirements for teaching dual enrollment government courses within Newport News Public Schools, expanding opportunities for local students to earn college credit while still in high school.
The James Madison Graduate Fellowship is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and respected awards for secondary educators in the United States. Its primary aim is to enhance the quality of constitutional instruction, ensuring that students gain a thorough understanding of the nation’s foundational legal document. According to publicly available data, recipients of the fellowship often go on to play key roles in curriculum development and teacher training within their districts. The program’s focus on civic education aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen democratic participation and awareness among young people. For Newport News, Costello’s achievement highlights the city’s ongoing investment in educational excellence and the professional growth of its teachers.
