East history teacher wins prestigious fellowship

A history teacher at Lincoln East High School has been awarded a James Madison Fellowship, one of only 53 awarded nationwide.

Alise Pape can use the $24,000 prize toward earning an advanced degree that includes a concentration of courses on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution.

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation said the award “recognizes promising and distinguished teachers, to strengthen their knowledge of the origins and development of American constitutional government, and thus to expose the nation’s secondary school students to accurate knowledge of the nation’s constitutional knowledge.”

Pape, who just finished her second year at East, was the only Nebraska teacher to win the fellowship. She called it a “dream come true.”

“Neither of my parents have college degrees, and obtaining my master's degree has always been a goal of mine so this all still feels surreal,” said Pape, who will continue teaching at East while pursuing her master’s degree in American History. “I am so fortunate to be offered this fellowship and to be given the opportunity to become a more well-rounded educator for my students. This application started as a desire to be a better educator, and now I am humbled receive this opportunity so that I can better serve my community and my students.”

Read more about how Pape engages with her students and makes learning history fun.

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