Teachers and Students

Bring George Washington to School

George Washington is more than just the first president; he’s an excellent educational resource for teachers. Whether you are developing lessons about leadership, American history or even science, the life of the former commander in chief can provide valuable insight. Explore Mount Vernon’s teachers and students page. Find teaching tools such as lesson plans and interactive websites. Learn how to incorporate Washington into your classroom studies. And benefit from our numerous outreach programs ranging from teacher institutes to Teaching American History grant-funded workshops. There is something for everyone.

Mount Vernon's Other Washington-related Websites

George Washington did not receive a formal education past approximately age 15, but that has not kept him from becoming an integral part of classroom curriculum across the country and among all age groups. At Mount Vernon we have created a number of resources that are appropriate for a variety of learners. For example, our Washington’s World for Kids games target elementary students, while our Discover the Real George Washington and Martha Washington: A Life websites contain biographical information for learners of all ages.

Professional Development

For educators, our George Washington Wired blog provides constantly updated text and videos about the exciting events and changes happening at Mount Vernon. But we also encourage teachers to experience these things firsthand. Programs geared toward getting the nation’s liveliest and brightest history educators to Mount Vernon include our summer Teachers’ Institute, which brings educators to the Estate for comprehensive one-week sessions, and shorter seminars and workshops. Mount Vernon also offers seminars for Teaching American History grant-funded groups, among other programs, and chooses an annual Virginia-area history teacher of the year.

Distance Learning

Students experience Washington and his world via our "Face to Face" videoconferencing program, which includes first-person characters such as Martha Washington or George Washington’s personal physician, Dr. Craik. We also hold periodic student leadership summits, familiarizing young leaders with Washington’s leadership example. Please browse the sidebars to the left to further explore all the ways that Washington fits into the classroom.