Name: It's Revolutionary! Choices in Conflict: Loyalist, Patriot, Neither, Both
Start: 2026-10-02T09:00:00-0400
End: 2026-10-02T16:00:00-0400
Location: George Washington's Mount Vernon

Explore Art, History & Leadership Through the Life of George Washington

Through the lens of George Washington’s biography, gain a greater understanding of the founding of the United States and the qualities that made Washington an effective leader.

Each session offers arts integration techniques to increase student engagement and cross-curricular impact.

Sessions include deep historical content as well as opportunities to participate in arts integration activities and reflection on classroom application and collaborative support.

Schedule of Events

9 a.m.	Check-in, Breakfast & Welcome
9:30 a.m.	Workshop 1 Gabriel Valdez, Mount Vernon Teacher Expert
10:20 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m.	Workshop 2: Witnesses to the Revolution: North Carolina and the War for Independence Exhibit Tour, Wilson Library Staff
11:20 a.m.	Break
11:30 p.m.	Speech by Dr. Kathleen DuVal
12:30 p.m.	Lunch
1:30 p.m.	Workshop 3: Teaching with Primary Sources: Choices in Conflict, Beyond The Exhibits, NC Museum of History
2:20 p.m.	Break
2:30 p.m.	Workshop 4: It’s Revolutionary! Making connections to George Washington and more, Gabriel Valdez and Beyond The Exhibits
3:20 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m.	Conclusion & Feedback Discussion
4 p.m.	Dismissal

Registration Requirements

Who can register?

Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
The workshop is limited to 30 teachers.
A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]

Meet the Speaker

Dr. Kathleen DuVal

Kathleen DuVal is the Carl W. Ernst Distinguished Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she specializes in early American and Native American history.

She is the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Native Nations: A Millennium in North America. DuVal is a Guggenheim Fellow and has won the Bancroft Prize and the Cundill History Prize. She appeared in the recent Ken Burns film The American Revolution.

Meet the Educator

Mary Pleiss

Gabriel Valdez is a passionate advocate for social studies education and a dynamic leader dedicated to empowering educators and students alike. Serving as the President of the Texas Council for the Social Studies, Gabriel spearheads initiatives that promote civic education, historical literacy, and cultural understanding across the state.

He also serves as the Membership Committee Chair for the National Council for the Social Studies and Administrator of the Social Studies Network on Facebook where he fosters connections and collaboration among educators to enhance teaching and learning.

Gabriel has also participated in numerous teacher groups and programs which have deepened his expertise and broadened his perspective on innovative educational practices. A lifelong learner and advocate, Gabriel inspires educators to engage, empower, and educate the next generation of informed citizens.