Our mission is to create a more informed citizenry by providing the youth of the United States of America with their own personal copy of the United States Constitution to use at school then take home to share.

Our mission is to create a more informed citizenry by providing the youth of the United States of America with their own personal copy of the United States Constitution to use at school then take home to share.

Constitution for the People is a 501(c)(3) organization.

“I have answered both my calling as a soldier and educator, and feel equally proud to have served in both professions.”

Our Founder

Joseph L. Cofield has led an extremely interesting life, which explains his passion for service, education, and the U. S. Constitution in particular.

He served his country for 21 years as a career Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in a number of foreign countries.

He has earned higher education degrees in both business and education with a special emphasis on history and the U. S. Constitution, and has earned certificates in Organizational Leadership and Advanced Public Speaking.

Joseph has used his degrees and certificates to serve his community in a variety of ways. After serving his country, he began 15 years of teaching social studies to students in grades 6 – 12. Along the way he has earned 8 prestigious awards for teaching and service, and has served in 12 different educational and service organizations. He is very active in his church, Rotary Club Naples Collier (whose motto is “Service Above Self”) and a volunteer with Boys and Girls Club Naples, Florida.

In 2007, he was accepted into a prestigious educational program at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where he became a graduate of the James Madison Fellowship Foundation Program and THAT is where his passion for the United States Constitution was ignited.

Joseph has also served our world by working with fellow educators in Tanzania, Africa to help them build a school in a community that did not have one, giving students the opportunity to attend and learn.

Joseph earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 at University of Maryland College Park, in Business Management as well as his Associate of Arts Degree, German Studies, 1996.

He earned a Master of Science in History degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2001, which prepared him for his 15 years of teaching social studies in grades 6-12.

Joseph also earned a Master of Arts in History from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013 which allowed him to be a master teacher of the Constitution. He also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Most recently Joseph has earned a Toastmaster Academy, Certificate of Completion – Advanced Public Speaking Educational Series 2015 – 2016 which has prepared him for another passion – speaking to groups about our U. S. Constitution.

Veterans Florida entrepreneurship Program Graduate Veterans Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University – 2017

Victory Florida Award, Dedication to Constitutional Education for Students, 2016

Paul Harris Fellow. Awarded June 29, 2016 by Rotary Club International

Rotarian of the Year 2016

Phi Delta Kappa International Golden Key, 2010

Professional Educator Network of Florida Teacher of the year, 2008

Phi Delta Kappa International Educator of the Year, 2007

James Madison Fellowship, 2007

College Reach Out Program, Coordinator of the Year, 2006

Wal-Mart, Teacher of the Year, 2005

CC for Joseph L. Cofield was processed on 1/05/2018. “Competent Communication Award” Toastmaster

Academy – 2016 (May 18, 2016)

2nd Place Patriotic Speech Contest Toastmaster Academy – 2016 (May 18, 2016)

Eisenhower Academy, completed July 2013

Bonita Springs Historical Society, member since 2007

Florida Conference Society, member since 2010

Florida Historical Society, member since 2011

American Historical Association, member since 2011

Dr. Carter G. Wooden African American Museum, member since 2010

Phi Delta Kappa International, member since 2003 (Life Member)

Professional Educator Network, member since 2005

Bonita Springs Lions Club, 2003

National Educator Association, since 2004

Troops to Teachers Program, 1998

Rotary Club Naples-Collier, Present

Volunteer Boys and Girls Club Naples, Florida

American Legion Post 336, North Fort Myers.

Rotary Club of Naples Bay

The Rotary Foundation

Northside Naples Kiwanis Club

The American Legion Post No. 0336

Life Time Member National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP)

Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation

Florida Historical Society

Naples Advance Toast Masters Club

Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association

Nova Southeastern University Alumni Association

University of Maryland Alumni Association

Daughters American Revolution Big Cypress Chapter – 2016

Wartburg College German-American History Conference – 2013

Florida Historical Society Annual History Conference, 2012

“Telling Southwest Florida” Florida Humanities Council – 2017 (April 29, April 30, and May 4, 2017)

“The Constitution Project” Toastmaster Academy – 2017 (July 19, 2017)

“Dreamers Who Dared” Sons & Daughters of Pilgrims – 2017 (May 12, 2017)

“Entrepreneurship and the Constitution Project” Estero Chamber of Commerce – 2017 (November 8, 2017

“I have answered both my calling as a soldier and educator, and feel equally proud to have served in both professions.”

Our Founder

Joseph L. Cofield has led an extremely interesting life, which explains his passion for service, education, and the U. S. Constitution in particular.

He served his country for 21 years as a career Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in a number of foreign countries.

He has earned higher education degrees in both business and education with a special emphasis on history and the U. S. Constitution, and has earned certificates in Organizational Leadership and Advanced Public Speaking.

Joseph has used his degrees and certificates to serve his community in a variety of ways. After serving his country, he began 15 years of teaching social studies to students in grades 6 – 12. Along the way he has earned 8 prestigious awards for teaching and service, and has served in 12 different educational and service organizations. He is very active in his church, Rotary Club Naples Collier (whose motto is “Service Above Self”) and a volunteer with Boys and Girls Club Naples, Florida.

In 2007, he was accepted into a prestigious educational program at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where he became a graduate of the James Madison Fellowship Foundation Program and THAT is where his passion for the United States Constitution was ignited.

Joseph has also served our world by working with fellow educators in Tanzania, Africa to help them build a school in a community that did not have one, giving students the opportunity to attend and learn.

Joseph earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 at University of Maryland College Park, in Business Management as well as his Associate of Arts Degree, German Studies, 1996.

He earned a Master of Science in History degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2001, which prepared him for his 15 years of teaching social studies in grades 6-12.

Joseph also earned a Master of Arts in History from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2013 which allowed him to be a master teacher of the Constitution. He also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Most recently Joseph has earned a Toastmaster Academy, Certificate of Completion – Advanced Public Speaking Educational Series 2015 – 2016 which has prepared him for another passion – speaking to groups about our U. S. Constitution.

Veterans Florida entrepreneurship Program Graduate Veterans Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University – 2017

Victory Florida Award, Dedication to Constitutional Education for Students, 2016

Paul Harris Fellow. Awarded June 29, 2016 by Rotary Club International

Rotarian of the Year 2016

Phi Delta Kappa International Golden Key, 2010

Professional Educator Network of Florida Teacher of the year, 2008

Phi Delta Kappa International Educator of the Year, 2007

James Madison Fellowship, 2007

College Reach Out Program, Coordinator of the Year, 2006

Wal-Mart, Teacher of the Year, 2005

CC for Joseph L. Cofield was processed on 1/05/2018. “Competent Communication Award” Toastmaster

Academy – 2016 (May 18, 2016)

2nd Place Patriotic Speech Contest Toastmaster Academy – 2016 (May 18, 2016)

Eisenhower Academy, completed July 2013

Bonita Springs Historical Society, member since 2007

Florida Conference Society, member since 2010

Florida Historical Society, member since 2011

American Historical Association, member since 2011

Dr. Carter G. Wooden African American Museum, member since 2010

Phi Delta Kappa International, member since 2003 (Life Member)

Professional Educator Network, member since 2005

Bonita Springs Lions Club, 2003

National Educator Association, since 2004

Troops to Teachers Program, 1998

Rotary Club Naples-Collier, Present

Volunteer Boys and Girls Club Naples, Florida

American Legion Post 336, North Fort Myers.

Rotary Club of Naples Bay

The Rotary Foundation

Northside Naples Kiwanis Club

The American Legion Post No. 0336

Life Time Member National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP)

Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation

Florida Historical Society

Naples Advance Toast Masters Club

Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association

Nova Southeastern University Alumni Association

University of Maryland Alumni Association

Daughters American Revolution Big Cypress Chapter – 2016

Wartburg College German-American History Conference – 2013

Florida Historical Society Annual History Conference, 2012

“Telling Southwest Florida” Florida Humanities Council – 2017 (April 29, April 30, and May 4, 2017)

“The Constitution Project” Toastmaster Academy – 2017 (July 19, 2017)

“Dreamers Who Dared” Sons & Daughters of Pilgrims – 2017 (May 12, 2017)

“Entrepreneurship and the Constitution Project” Estero Chamber of Commerce – 2017 (November 8, 2017

Board Members & Directors

FOUNDATION BOARD

ADVISORY BOARD

A Special Thank You To Our

Generous Supporters

We would like to express our appreciation to the many individual donors over the years who have helped us with our Mission.

I think it is very important to place this document in the students’ hands every year.

Terry Huddleston, Superintendent | Columbia County, Florida School District
Thank you for the thoughtful gift of Constitution booklets for our fifth graders. It’s great for them to have something concrete to hold in their hands to help them understand what our Constitution is and what it means to each of us. Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Kathleen Valle, 5th grade ELA & Social Studies teacher | Daughtrey Elementary School

I can honestly say that this sparked a renewed interest in making students aware of one of the oldest and most influential legal documents in existence.

Dr. Karyn E. Gary, Superintendent | The School District of Desoto County
We are excited to see our 5th grade teachers use this material to spark discussion, debate, and critical thinking in their classrooms.
Adrian H. Cline, Superintendent | Desoto County

…the Polk County School District would proudly acknowledge receipt of these documents and ensure each of these students receive this very thoughtful and historically impactful piece of literature.

Jacquelin M. Byrd, Superintendent | School Board of Polk County

This will be a great asset in teaching our students about the rights and freedoms we have as Americans.

Richard A. Shirley, Superintendent, Sumter County School Board