Midlakes secondary teacher Taryn Windheim has been selected as New York's 2026 recipient of a James Madison Memorial Fellowship, a national award supporting educators who teach the U.S. Constitution.
The $24,000 fellowship is awarded to one educator from each state, with applicants competing against others in their state of legal residence. Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District officials said Windheim is the first New York recipient from outside the New York City and downstate region.
Windheim said the fellowship will support her study of constitutional law, politics and American government while strengthening the instruction she provides to students at Midlakes.
"I am grateful for this award and proud to bring it to Midlakes," she said in the district's announcement.
Windheim plans to use the fellowship to pursue a master's degree in history at Gettysburg College. The program also requires a monthlong residency at Georgetown University next summer, where the 50 state recipients will study with constitutional scholars.
Seminar explores America's 250th anniversary
Following her selection, Windheim participated in Founding Forward's "Celebrating America at 250" teacher seminars in Philadelphia. Founding Forward is a national civic education organization.
The district released a photo of Windheim receiving a seminar certificate alongside Georgette Hackman, Founding Forward's director of graduate programs.
Windheim is beginning her fourth year at Midlakes after joining the district in September 2023. Along with her classroom work, she assists with student council and homecoming activities.
She also works with Buoy, a registered Great Pyrenees therapy dog that regularly visits the school campus.
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation created the program to help develop secondary teachers with advanced knowledge of the Constitution and American government.
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