GWTI is Coming to the Northeast!
Mount Vernon is partnering with local organizations to create workshop training programs in your community.
Stay tuned for programs with the American Antiquarian Society, Maine Historical Society, Museum of the American Revolution, and Fort Ticonderoga to name a few. Program dates and partners will be announced throughout 2025 and 2026.
Stay Tuned for Programs Near You
Meet Our Regional Ambassadors
Melissa Dowches
Lead Ambassador
Melissa Dowches teaches 5th grade at Spring Garden Elementary School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She has a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Kutztown University and her Reading Specialist certification from East Stroudsburg University. Since holding her current teaching position for the past 10 years, Melissa has taken a huge interest in U.S. History, particularly the American Revolution, which is a major unit she teaches each year. Melissa loves traveling to different historical sites and has recently visited Historic Philadelphia, Mount Vernon, Bull Run, Gettysburg, Ford’s Theatre, Arlington Cemetery, and other Washington D.C. sites. Melissa participated in GWTI in June 2021 (virtually) and June 2024 (in-person) and is thrilled to participate as a Lead Ambassador for the Northeast Region.
Brenda Haenchen
Brenda Haenchen has been the Library Media Specialist at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, New Hampshire since 2006. Brenda teaches students to think critically, locate and evaluate information sources, and enjoy some really good books. She believes an important role of a school librarian is to collaborate with classroom teachers to extend learning – especially in Social Studies! Brenda has an MS from Oklahoma State University and has completed additional graduate work at Cornell, SUNY Albany, and Plymouth State University. Prior to embracing school libraries, Brenda taught Consumer Behavior at SUNY Oneonta for 10 years. Brenda has participated in 2 different programs at Mount Vernon as well as serving as a Teacher Facilitator. When she is not in school, Brenda and her family are trying to visit every park in their National Park Passport.
Danielle Coimbra
Danielle Coimbra is a long-time history lover. As a teen, she volunteered to dress as a mill girl at the National Historic Park in her hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts – birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution! Danielle teaches American History and English to 5th grade students at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, MA. Prior to her current position, Danielle taught in the Lowell Public School system and was a coach and marketing guru in North Conway, NH. Danielle had a fabulous time participating in GWTI programming last summer where she developed new skills to teach the U.S. Constitution and utilize primary sources in instruction. She is excited to join the GWTI mission for 50 programs by 2026!
Jeff Boogaard
Jeff Boogaard teaches 10th and 12th grade students in AP U.S. Government and Politics, Accelerated U.S. History I, and Economics at Haddonfield Memorial High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Jeff also serves as the advisor/coach of his school’s Model United Nations and Academic Challenge teams. He is a graduate of Rutgers University where he obtained both BA and MA degrees in American History. In his free time, Jeff enjoys traveling – he has been to 46 states and 30 countries! Jeff attended GWTI last summer and is excited to continue to be a part of this program!
Katie Brownell
Katie Brownell teaches 4th grade ELA and Social Studies in an integrated co-teaching classroom. She is passionate about providing engaging inquiry and place-based lessons to elementary students of all abilities to help them frame context and understand content. Katie serves as the secretary of the Friends of the Bennington Battlefield, is a member of the Hoosick History and Heritage Committee, organizes a Junior Historian Program, manages a supply depot for the Living History Education Foundation, and guest lectures at several historical societies. Additionally, Katie organizes a Living History Summer Institute and an 18th-century encampment for upper-elementary students.
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