Schedule
| 8:15 a.m. | Check-in/Light Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. | Welcome |
| 8:45 a.m. | George and Martha Washington: The Founders 250 Years After Independence Dr. Lynn Price Robbins |
| 9:45 a.m. | The Duality of Washington Dr. Tammara Purdin |
| 10:40 a.m. | Break/Snacks |
| 11 a.m. | The Usage of Castle St. Mark during the American Revolution Steven Harris |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 p.m. | Constitution 101: More Than a Piece of Parchment Dr. Bernadette Bennett |
| 1:45 p.m. | The 14th Colony: The American Revolution’s Best Kept Secret Dr. Roger Smith |
| 2:45 p.m. | Closing |
*Lunch is provided
Registration Requirements
Who can register?
- Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
- The workshop is limited to 35 teachers.
- A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Meet the Speakers
Lynn Price Robbin
Dr. Lynn Price Robbins earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Indiana
University of Pennsylvania, and an MA and PhD in U.S. History from George Mason
University. She served as an Assistant Editor for both the Papers of Martha Washington
and the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, resulting in The Papers of Martha Washington
(2022) and George Washington’s Barbados Diary (2018) from UVA Press. She has also
published an essay on Martha Washington in Women in George Washington’s World
(2022) from UVA Press and an essay on George and Martha Washington’s family life in
an upcoming UVA Press book on teaching through George Washington. Lynn is the co-
host of two podcasts, 2 Complicated 4 History and Revolutions in Retrospect. She is
currently the Head of Research for Primary Source Media, a full-service audio and video
production company.
Bernadette Bennett
Dr. Bernadette D. Bennett is an educator with extensive experience in curriculum development, particularly in social science and literacy curricula. She specializes in creating curricula for nonprofit organizations and developing instructional programs tailored to meet specific goals. She effectively provides staff development at all levels, offering objective-based solutions to achieve student-focused objectives. Dr. Bennett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning, with an emphasis on disciplinary literacy and staff development. She has a proven track record of partnering with educational institutions, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and community agencies to support initiatives that bridge educational and community partnerships. Currently, she is employed at Khan Academy.
Roger Smith
Dr. Roger Smith received his Ph.D. in Early American History and Atlantic World Studies from
the University of Florida. He is currently an adjunct professor of history at the University of
Florida, the Coordinator for the St. Augustine History Festival, and an on-board historian with
American Cruise Lines. He is a former board member of the Florida Council for History
Education: he was a consultant for the AMC television show Turn and can be seen on the PBS documentary “The Secrets of Spanish Florida: Secrets of the Dead.” Dr. Smith received a
national award from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for his work on Revolutionary War studies for middle and high school classrooms.
Meet the Educators
Tammara Purdin
Dr. Tammara (Tammi) Purdin is a dedicated educator, Florida native, and proud mother and Mamaw. With over 23 years of teaching experience, Tammi has taught in a variety of educational settings, including Gifted, Exceptional Student Education, and Title I programs. She currently serves as an educator at Atwater Elementary School and is the Executive Director of the Florida Council for History Education, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the importance of history education across the state. Tammi also co-founded the Florida Council for History Education which reflects her ongoing commitment to advancing historical literacy both in schools and throughout the broader community. She holds a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in American History. Her academic research focuses on elementary and secondary history instruction, literacy proficiency, and the use of historical thinking strategies in the classroom. Outside of her professional work, Tammi enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and relaxing at the beach.
Steven Harris
For the past three and a half years, Steven has had the opportunity to teach History and Social Studies at Donald Ralph Cooke, located at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch in Live Oak, FL. He is a 2012 graduate of Branford High School, located 35 miles south of the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch. Once graduating from high school, he continued his education, earning an Associate of Arts Degree from Florida Gateway College (Lake City, FL), a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry Studies from the Baptist University of Florida (Graceville, FL), and a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. It is a very unique learning environment at Cooke School for the ranchers. He has also led student trips to Washington, D.C., New York City, various historic sites in Florida, and has attended the Master Teachers Seminar of the American Revolution Institute.
Upcoming GWTI 250 - South Events
Mount Vernon Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary!
Check out all of Mount Vernon's resources as we prepare for America's 250th Anniversary
Receive Educator Email Updates
Be the first to learn about programs, workshops, and new materials from Mount Vernon's Education Department.
Presenting Sponsor
