For the past 16 years, since age 16, Derrick Lindow has been recreating — specifically — reenacting history. From storied battlefields to the eighth-grade classroom, Lindow’s passion for history is evident and contagious. It is so strong in fact, that it recently earned him the distinguished honor of being awarded a James Madison Fellowship.
Drawing on the love of history passed down from both of his grandfathers, Lindow has been a U.S. History teacher at Daviess County Middle School for the last nine years. He also credits the many good history teachers he has had throughout his middle and high school years, including current Daviess County High School teacher Chris Clark, who was Lindow’s eighth-grade history teacher in the same room Lindow resides in now.
Lindow is not only a volunteer reenactor at national battlefields, he also brings his passion, and his gear, into the classroom. Suited with the uniform attire and supplies for both the Union and the Confederacy, Lindow marches his students around the football field and sets up a tent for instruction as guest speakers demonstrate how to write with a quill pen or share experiences of soldiers in battle.
Lindow, who has a master’s degree in education, said he initially became interested in the James Madison Fellowship a few years ago after receiving an email, but was unable to make the time commitment after his first son was born.
“Last year I applied and got honorable mention and they encouraged me to apply again,” Lindow said. “And I was fortunate enough to get it. I’m glad it worked out this time — I am super excited.”
In order to be considered for the fellowship, Lindow said he had to write numerous essays about the U.S. Consitution, its importance in the classroom and describe his teaching philosophy. While his desire to research and learn more about history and the Constitution is undeniable, Lindow said those essays presented a challenge as to the level of difficulty and amount of time they required.
According to their website, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 Graduate Fellowships to individuals who desire to become outstanding secondary teachers of the American Constitution. Funds permitting, the Foundation aims to offer one fellowship per state per year, with candidates competing against other applicants from their home state of residence.
“It’s a national program where they select one teacher per state per year,” Lindow said. “I was lucky enough to be the one selected this year.”
The Foundation award will provide Lindow with $24,000 to be used solely towards tuition and books, which he plans to use to obtain his master’s degree through Western Kentucky University in history or political science.
“Once I start, I have 5 years to finish,” Lindow said. “And, next summer, I will go to Washington (D.C.) to live on the campus at Georgetown for a month. It will be like being a student again; it will be interesting. I really just enjoy learning too. Just to be able to take classes again — that really appealed to me, and the bonus is that they pay for all of it.”
