Liverpool teacher receives political science fellowship
By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
This fall, Liverpool High School social studies teacher Michael Crosby will be juggling more than his usual course load: He will begin classes for a master’s degree in political science through the University of Illinois Springfield. Crosby recently received a boost toward his academic goal, as he has been named New York state’s James Madison Memorial Fellowship recipient for 2020.
The fellowship, established by Congress in 1986 to further education about the Constitution in American high schools, includes a $24,000 scholarship toward Crosby’s graduate program. Crosby will also take part in the four-week intensive Summer Institute on the Constitution at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While this year’s institute was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crosby is hoping to participate in the 2021 session.
Crosby said he was excited to learn that he was one of only 50 educators chosen for the James Madison Memorial Fellowship.
“It was kind of a bright spot in everything that’s going on,” Crosby said.
Crosby, who teaches Advanced Placement Government & Politics and Participation in Government, has been recording video lessons for his students and cheering them on as many of them prepare for the AP exam, which they were scheduled to take online Monday, May 11.
“That’s one of the hardest things about being away from the building, [not] seeing the kids’ faces and being able to ask, ‘Hey, are you okay? Are you having a bad day?’” Crosby said of distance learning. “I feel like a broken record and the kids might be tired of it by now, but I keep sending messages saying, ‘If you have questions, please reach out.’”
Crosby has sent postcards to his roughly 130 students.
“All of my kids this year are seniors so I want them to know I’m thinking of them and where they’re headed next in their journey,” he said. “My first priority is that they’re taking care of themselves and their family. Everything else comes secondary.”
The University of Illinois Springfield’s political science program is highly rated, Crosby said, and he is able to take online courses while maintaining his job at LHS. He is finishing his 12th year of teaching in the Liverpool Central School District.
“You have to continue teaching at least two years past the fellowship and send documentation to the fellowship that you’re actively teaching, what kind of activities you’re involved in in the school and community,” Crosby said.
One such activity is helping high school seniors register to vote, as many of them turn 18 around their senior year. Crosby has registration forms outside his classroom with a note encouraging students to stop by and ask for more information or help with the form. Then, he mails or drops the forms off at the Onondaga County Board of Elections.
“We know that kids who are registered to vote are more likely to show up to vote,” he said. “I don’t care what party they register for or if they register for a party or how they vote. … I think it’s one of the key things that I can help kids walk away with: help them learn how the government operates why it’s so important and why their voice is so important.”
As a child, Crosby always dreamed of becoming a history teacher. He studied ancient Rome and medieval Europe at Syracuse University and was hired to teach middle school social studies in Liverpool soon after graduating from college in 2008. His course assignment was U.S. history.
“I was kind of naive and thought I would get to pick what to teach, but that’s not how it works,” he said.
Nevertheless, Crosby fell in love with the history of the U.S. government and “helping kids connect their place in history.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has given his students plenty of opportunity to analyze the roles of federal, state and local governments.
“As they’re reviewing [for the AP exam], I’m telling them look at COVID as an issue of federalism: how states are dealing with it versus the federal government,” Crosby said. “There’s so many ways for them to connect what’s happening now to what they’ve learned throughout the year.”
While students learn about the major political parties and players, Crosby is careful not to prioritize one viewpoint over another and teaches his kids to think critically about what politicians are trying to tell them.
“I’m always very careful in every class about acknowledging multiple sides of every story,” he said. “Always make sure that you’re fact-checking. You should never take any politician at face value. You should always double-check what they’re telling you, no matter what party, no matter who the president is.”
Above all, Crosby wants his students to understand their value and their responsibilities as citizens.
“Your voice really matters here,” he said. “You should speak up about what you think is important to fight for.”
