Wilbur Cross High School Teacher Brian Grindrod Wins Award for Excellence in Social Studies Education

NEW HAVEN, CT — Brian Grindrod has been selected as the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Social Studies Education (Grades 9-12) by the Connecticut Council for Social Studies. This recognition highlights Mr. Grindrod’s commitment to effective instruction and his leadership in fostering student advocacy.

Grindrod is a social studies teacher at Wilbur Cross High School, where he has served since 2014. His teaching philosophy is built on the foundations of project-based learning (PBL), where students move beyond traditional textbooks to engage directly with the mechanics of democracy through authentic, real-world challenges.

"Brian Grindrod's selection for the Award for Excellence in Social Studies Education is a moment of immense pride for NHPS," said Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negrón. "He is a leader whose commitment to transformative, project-based instruction at Wilbur Cross empowers students to engage directly with the mechanics of democracy. From advocating for 'We the People' to being named a Civic Virtue Fellow, his impact on civic education is undeniable. We celebrate his well-deserved recognition and are fortunate to have his leadership within the district."

A cornerstone of Grindrod’s instructional approach is his deep involvement with the Center for Civic Education. He is a tireless advocate for the curriculum entitled We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, which utilizes PBL strategies to coach students as they master constitutional principles and prepare for rigorous mock congressional hearings. His students participated in the We the People National Finals in 2023. He also serves as a mentor for Project Citizen, a project-based program that guides students as they identify pressing community issues and propose public policy solutions.

Beyond the classroom, Grindrod was recently named a Civic Virtue Fellow by the National Constitution Center, a role that allows him to contribute to national efforts in inquiry-based civic education. He serves as Advanced Placement coordinator for Wilbur Cross, early college liaison to Southern Connecticut State University, and a member of the NHPS Leadership Pipeline.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in secondary education from Sacred Heart University, and a Master of Science in counselor education from Central Connecticut State University. He is currently completing his School Administrator Certificate from Sacred Heart University.