Investigate Washington's Leadership in War, Hardship & Nation-Building
How does a leader become truly great?
George Washington’s leadership was shaped through consistent practice, strong principles, and perseverance. His early experiences in the French and Indian War helped shift his thinking and prepare him for the American Revolution.
At Valley Forge, he demonstrated that true leadership requires enduring hardship, staying focused, and serving others during uncertain times.
His steady role at the Constitutional Convention helped strengthen the nation’s new federal government, and participants will connect with these ideas through engaging, ready-to-implement classroom activities and place-based learning experiences.
Schedule
| 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9 a.m. | Seeing the Past: Using Images to Activate Background Knowledge |
| 9:30 a.m. | French & Indian War Presentation & Classroom Application Activity |
| 10:30 a.m. | Washington at Valley Forge Presentation & Classroom Application Activity |
| 11:15 a.m. | Lunch & American Village Exploration |
| 11:30 a.m. | Digital Resources |
| 12:45 p.m. | Constitution Convention & Classroom Application Activity |
| 2:15 p.m. | Washington’s Legacy-Bringing it Back to the Classroom |
Registration Requirements
Who can register?
- Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
- The program is limited to 30 teachers.
- A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Meet the Educators
Val Crofts
Mr. Val Crofts began his teaching career in 2001 at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake, Wisconsin, and is currently employed as the Chief Education and Programs Officer and Chief Historian at the American Village. He previously taught at Milton High School in Milton, Wisconsin, for 17 years and worked as a teaching consultant for the Wisconsin Virtual School for nine years.
He shared his passion for learning by teaching AP Government and Politics, AP Human Geography, AP Comparative Government, AP U.S. History, U.S. History, and U.S. Military History. In his current role at the American Village, he works to create an engaging curriculum to help assist teachers and students of all ages to learn about American history, America’s Founders, and the legacy that they left for future generations.
In 2008, Crofts founded the Discovering Democracy program at Milton High School. Discovering Democracy immersed hundreds of students into government through public policy research and culminated with a weeklong field study in Washington D.C. His students were privileged to meet with top policy experts and national leaders such as then-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.
Crofts was recognized for his teaching efforts in 2013 when he received the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. He was also selected as the Wisconsin DAR Outstanding Teacher of U.S. History in 2020. He has written several articles on the Revolutionary era and the Founding generation.
He received his teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and his Master’s Degree from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. His greatest rewards in his life are his four children; Jonathon, Ellen, Joseph, and Grace, and his marriage of 27 years to his wife, Cathy.
Virginia Conerly
Virginia Conerly is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelors of Science and Master Degree in Elementary Education. Virginia has taught elementary school for 16 years with 15 years in 5th grade. Currently, Virginia teaches math, science, and social studies, in which she gets to focus on her love for early American History in Huntsville, Alabama.
Virginia currently serves as the lead 5th grade teacher, the PBIS school coach, an AMSTI (Alabama Math, Science, Technology Initiative) trainer, an intern and new teacher mentor, and a Master Teacher for the 2025 White House History Teacher Institute.
She is passionate about building relationships with students and creating historically accurate lessons that engage students with primary sources. When she is not teaching, she enjoys watching her son play soccer, her daughter dance, and traveling with her husband and family.
Dr. Jeffery Scott
Dr. Jeff Scott serves as Director of Civics Education in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Troy University and leads Experiencing America, the dynamic partnership between Troy University and the American Village, that focuses on forging civic strength through the lens of history.
Jeff previously served as Vice President of Education at Founding Forward located in historic Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where he developed, oversaw, and led programs for students and teachers nationally. In his educational career, Jeff has taught social studies at every level, developed curriculum, taught leadership courses for universities and served in school system leadership.
Dr. Scott is also the author of Oscar Visits Valley Forge, a dynamic history adventure of students in upper elementary and middle school that brings history to life in a fun way.
Jeff has presented throughout the country, including the National Advanced Placement Conference, National Council for the Social Studies, the California Council for the Social Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology and was the Keynote speaker for the 2023 Florida Council for the Social Studies.
In 2024, Dr. Scott received the Harold L. Bishop Award for Leaders through the University of Alabama.
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