Practical Strategies for Engaging History Instruction
Sessions will focus on:
- Using primary and secondary sources to develop historical thinking skills.
- Integrating literacy strategies into social studies instruction to strengthen writing and critical thinking skills.
- Exploring engaging classroom resources and inquiry-based lessons centered on George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, the founding era, and the enduring principles of American democracy.
- Connecting historical content to civic learning and student engagement.
- Through authentic, collaborative historical discussions and presentations, teachers will gain practical tools to help students become stronger historians and more informed citizens.
Schedule of Events
| 9 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions |
| 9:30 a.m. | Lincoln & the Founding Dr. Jacob K. Friefeld |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:40 a.m. | Tour of Lincoln's Home Susan Haake |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch On Your Own |
| 1 p.m. | Washington & the Founding Angela Hall |
| 2 p.m. | Mount Vernon Resources for Teachers Teaching Sourcing Ideas Angela Hall & Jessica Cyders |
| 2:50 p.m. | That's a Wrap! |
Registration Requirements
Who can register?
- Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
- The workshop is limited to 20 teachers.
- A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.
Questions? Please contact [email protected]
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Jacob K. Friefeld
Dr. Jacob K. Friefeld is the Director of the Center for Lincoln Studies. He came to the Center from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and his research has focused on Abraham Lincoln's western legacy. His recent book, The First Migrants: How Black Homesteaders’ Quest for Land and Freedom Heralded America’s Great Migration, tells the epic story of Black Americans homesteading in the Great Plains after the Civil War.
The First Migrants was a finalist for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History book award and winner of the Nebraska Book Award for History. His first book, Homesteading the Plains: Toward a New History, examines the Homestead Act of 1862, one of the most important social policies ever enacted in the United States.
When not busy helping everyone see themselves reflected in Lincoln's legacy, Friefeld most enjoys spending a summer day at Wrigley Field.
Erin Carlson Mast
Ms. Erin Carlson Mast has over 20 years of experience in cultural nonprofit excellence and leadership. She joined the Lincoln Presidential Foundation as its President & CEO in 2021. She has led the organizational revisioning, rebranding, and relaunch, the establishment of new partnerships, including with the National Park Service, and award-winning programming.
Mast’s current service to the field includes Vice Chair of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), Board of the Association of Midwest Museums, Board of Made by Us, Executive Committee of The Lincoln Forum, Board of the Abraham Lincoln Institute, National Advisory Council for More Perfect, Commissioner for the Barrington Cultural Commission, Barrington White House Advisory Board, Educating for American Democracy Community Learning Partners Task Force, and Chair of the AASLH Making History Matter fundraising campaign, which is raising funds to strengthen history organizations in the lead up to the U.S. 250th anniversary.
Her past service includes American Alliance of Museums Host Committee and National History Day Advisory Council. Mast is a regular guest speaker for professional conferences and institutions. She has authored brief biographies of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, articles for a variety of professional and popular periodicals, and has contributed chapters and essays to several books including Change is Required: Preparing for the Post-Pandemic Museum; Mission Matters: Relevance and Museums in the 21st Century; and Reimagining Historic House Museums.
Prior to serving as the Foundation’s leader, Mast was the CEO & Executive Director of President Lincoln’s Cottage, a National Monument in Washington, DC. As CEO, Mast built and led the organization through steady growth, groundbreaking scholarship and programming, unprecedented press and awards recognition, and its transition to an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Under her leadership, the organization received over two dozen awards and diverse recognition including a Presidential Medal, “50 Great Places to Work” in Washington D.C., “Best Museum off the Mall” four years in a row, and a must-see destination by Time magazine. In 2017, Mast received the EXCEL Award for Chief Executive Leadership from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Prior to serving as the CEO & Executive Director, Mast had served the organization in other leadership roles, including Curator & Site Administrator. She was an original member of the capital project team leading to the National Monument’s grand opening in 2008.
In addition to her executive leadership, Mast has a depth and breadth of work experience including the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Building Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution. She is an alumna of The George Washington University and Ohio University.
Christopher Collins
Christopher Collins serves as the superintendent of Lincoln Home National Historic Site, bringing more than 25 years of experience with the National Park Service. He began his career at Glacier National Park in Montana as an IT Specialist before moving on to become the administrative officer at Nez Perce National Historical Park in Idaho.
In 2016, Chris joined Indiana Dunes National Park, where he led business and commercial services not only for Indiana Dunes, but also for Pullman National Monument, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, and William Howard Taft National Historic Site.
He went on to become the first permanent superintendent of Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park in 2019. In 2024, he was selected as the inaugural superintendent of both New Philadelphia National Historic Site and the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, helping to establish and guide the development of two newly designated parks.
As of October 2025, Chris continues to build strong partnerships and support meaningful public engagement as he leads the team at Lincoln Home National Historic Site, New Philadelphia National Historic Site and the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
Jessica Cyders
Jessica Cyders is the curator at the Southeast Ohio History Center in Athens, Ohio. Jessica works to preserve and catalog the more than 70,000 artifacts in the History Center's collection, designs and builds exhibits, and engages in educational outreach for students of all ages.
Her favorite part of her job is managing our professional internship program, which gives students from Ohio University and Hocking College the opportunity to develop hands-on curation skills. Jessica also hosts a series of 4 sourcing workshops with local 8th graders to teach students how to analyze primary and secondary sources.
Meet the Educators
Angela Hall
Angela Welch Hall is a dedicated educator with over three decades of experience teaching 8th-grade social studies at Athens Middle School in Athens, Ohio, where she remains committed to fostering academic excellence, historical inquiry, and civic engagement.
She holds both a BA and a Master’s degree in Education from Ohio University. Angela collaborates with the Southeastern Ohio History Center and local historians to incorporate place-based learning and historical sourcing into her curriculum. Her innovative work led her to present at history conferences across the country. Outside the classroom, Angela founded and advises the Andrew Jackson Davison History club, where she guides students in exploring and celebrating local history while understanding regional identity.
She also served as the cheerleading coach (32 years), student council advisor (32 years), and coordinator of the annual 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C. (28 years). In recognition of her enduring contributions to education and the community, Angela received the Beacon of Light Award from the Mount Zion Preservation Society and was recently nominated for Athens Woman of the Year.
Susan Haake
Susan Haake was born in the south suburbs of Chicago and grew up in southern Illinois near SIU–Carbondale. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Historic Preservation from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in Historical Administration from Eastern Illinois University.
Susan has worked at the Lincoln Home since 1991, beginning her career as a museum aide and assistant curator before becoming curator in 1999. In addition to her curatorial responsibilities, she oversees contracting activities, helps ensure historical compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and provides tours for visitors.
Outside of work, Susan enjoys reading, traveling—especially to destinations that require a passport—listening to music, needlework, and indulging her love of chocolate whenever possible!
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