Carol Stream Teacher Awarded Prestigious McCormick Freedom Museum—James Madison Memorial Fellowship
Chicago, IL.
The McCormick Freedom Museum announced, Erica Bray-Parker, a teacher at
Glenbard North High School, as recipient of the prestigious McCormick Freedom Museum—James
Madison Memorial Fellowship. While the primary purposes of the fellowship are to provide each recipient
with up to $24,000 for graduate school in education, history or political science and a seat on the
Freedom Museum’s teacher advisory committee, it also helps to further the Museum’s mission to inspire
students to understand, value and protect the First Amendment.
“As a leading institution dedicated to the study of the First Amendment we believe it is important to
reward excellence in teaching by funding a James Madison Fellow,” said Dave Anderson, executive
director, McCormick Freedom Museum.
The 57 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 selection of fellows, determined by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, recognizes
promising and distinguished teachers who have a passion for teaching the importance of American
history, government and our nation’s constitutional heritage. Since 2007, the McCormick Freedom
Museum has teamed with the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation to secure funding for a
second Illinois fellowship.
This year’s fellow, Erica Bray-Parker, currently in her fourteenth year in the classroom, teaches U.S.
Government and Psychology at Glenbard North High School. In addition, she is vice president of the
Glenbard Education Association and a member of the Regional Summit on Civic Education and
Responsibility Committee in DuPage County. She also heads the Civic Committee, which promotes voter
registration, conducts mock elections and fosters participation in the First Judge Program in DuPage
County. Erica earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Illinois State University in
1992 and her master’s degree in political and justice studies at Governor’s State University in 1999.
About the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation:
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 for the
express purpose of improving teaching about the United States Constitution in secondary schools.
Funding for the Foundation’s programs comes from Congress and generous contributions from
individuals, foundations and corporations.
The partnership between the McCormick Freedom Museum and the James Madison Memorial
Fellowship Foundation is part of the museum’s continuous commitment to be an educational resource
for teachers and students by offering a comprehensive education program that includes curricula, field
trips and teacher seminars.
About the McCormick Freedom Museum:
The McCormick Freedom Museum inspires generations to better understand, value and protect freedom.
Through interactive exploration, visitors gain a greater understanding of the struggle for freedom in the
United States and the role the First Amendment plays in society. The McCormick Freedom Museum is
part of the McCormick Foundation team, which also includes the Robert R. McCormick Museum,
Cantigny Park and Golf, the Cantigny First Division Foundation and five grant making programs.