June 18, 2024 by jgprstaff
MANSFIELD – As part of Mansfield Public Schools’ Educator Spotlight series, Superintendent Teresa Murphy would like to recognize Mansfield High School History Teacher Robert MacDonald for years of service to Mansfield Public Schools.
Educator Spotlights highlight the important work that Mansfield Public Schools employees perform daily, as well as their unique backgrounds.
MacDonald was recently named a 2024 Fellow of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.
James Madison Fellowships support the graduate study of American history by aspiring and experienced secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and civics. Named in honor of the fourth president of the United States and acknowledged as “the Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” a James Madison Fellowship funds up to $24,000 of each Fellow’s course of study toward a master’s degree.
The 53 James Madison Fellows were selected in competition with applicants from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the nation’s island and trust territories. The fellowships are funded by income from a trust fund in the Treasury of the United States and additional private gifts, corporate contributions, and foundation grants.
“With my fellowship, I am looking forward to gaining more insight and knowledge into our nation’s laws, history and the stories of the myriad people that have helped to build this country,” said MacDonald. “I try to remind my students of the old adage from Socrates, ‘All I know is that I know nothing,’ and this fellowship is reminding me of the importance of embracing that philosophy and applying it to my own teaching and learning. Outside of myself, I hope this award encourages my students to commit to becoming lifelong learners themselves.”
MacDonald plans to earn his second master’s degree in American History from Providence College and has already begun coursework for the fellowship.
MacDonald, a Mansfield native, has been teaching at the district since the 2012-2013 academic year, after serving as a freshman boys’ soccer coach in the fall of 2010.
He teaches World History, U.S. History, and Human Geography in Grades 9-12. He also serves as the girl’s assistant varsity soccer coach and as a representative for the Mansfield Teachers Association.
During his more than decade-long career in Mansfield, MacDonald has served as a Grade 7 Social Studies teacher, soccer coach at the freshmen and JV levels for both boys and girls soccer teams, freshmen and JV baseball coach, assistant winter track and field coach, Mock Trial coach at Mansfield High School, and as Mansfield High School’s Summer School coordinator.
“My greatest accomplishment as an educator has been watching my former students embark upon their own education careers, including some who have returned to Mansfield High School as professional educators themselves,” said MacDonald. “Seeing our impact play out in real life and to have former students join our faculty is an incredible testament to the generational impact that teachers have on people every day.”
MacDonald comes from a family of first-generation college graduates and educators. His wife serves as a fellow high school educator at Franklin High School. His brother teaches Latin at the Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and his sister serves as an instructor in the English Department at Wheaton College.
“Our parents stressed the importance of academic excellence growing up, and we understand how much of a social, political, and economic role our education institutions play in our communities,” said MacDonald.
Outside of school, MacDonald enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, listening to live music and sports, and spending time with his family.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education from Providence College.
“On behalf of the entire district, it is a pleasure to congratulate Mansfield High School History Teacher Robert MacDonald,” said Superintendent Murphy. “Robert has dedicated over a decade to our district and to ensuring our students’ successes. I could not think of an individual more deserving of this recognition.”