Auburn University graduate wins James Madison Fellowship for graduate studies

Auburn University College of Education graduate Anne Roge has been awarded a James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship, which assists teachers earning a master's degree with a focus on Constitutional studies. Named for the nation's fourth president, the fellowship will fund up to $24,000 toward Roge's graduate studies in American history at Auburn. This is the third consecutive year that an Auburn student has won the fellowship.

The award goes to just one outstanding student in each state and supports the graduate study of American history by both aspiring and experienced secondary school teachers of American history, American government and social studies.

Roge, an Atlanta native, has already begun her graduate work in general social science education at Auburn under Associate Professor Jada Kohlmeier and Alumni Professor John Saye in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education. Roge cites the two professors as having been particularly important to her academic career.

"Dr. Saye and Dr. Kohlmeier are both great teachers, leaders and practitioners," she said. "They have helped me and encouraged me along the way. They have taken the time to help me understand what it takes to be a better teacher, whether in a practicum or in a classroom. They are actually the ones who suggested I apply for this fellowship, and I'm excited to be back doing my graduate work with them and at Auburn."

Roge completed her internship at Opelika Middle School, and is teaching a design and modeling class at Opelika High School. Roge originally wanted to study interior design at Auburn, so that background helped prepare her for the work she is doing now.

"I started off in design but realized I wanted a different career," she said. "I was involved with Young Life in the Auburn City Schools system and I built a strong rapport with middle schoolers there. That's when I knew that education was my calling. That's what led me here."

"In the design class I'm an emergency fill-in, but I'm looking for a history job next year," she said. "I have interviewed at the middle school and would love to keep teaching in Opelika. It's a great school system."

Roge's favorite subject is anything to do with government, so the Madison Fellowship is a perfect fit.

"Being in a classroom can be a little like a reality television show in terms of sometimes you never know what's going to happen, but that helps to make the job fun and exciting," she said. "We have great collegiality in the school and the other teachers are doing all they can to help me, so that's really great. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to being with my great teachers at Auburn as I work toward my Master's, so I have a lot of positive things going on right now. I feel great about the fellowship, and appreciate everything the College of Education has done for me. I'm looking forward to giving back."