Name: Teaching for 250: George Washington, The Declaration’s Journey, and the Semiquincentennial
Start: 2026-03-14T09:30:00-0400
End: 2026-03-14T15:30:00-0400
Location: George Washington's Mount Vernon

Examine the Meaning Behind the Declaration of Independence

This is an exciting opportunity to Learn about the life of George Washington and his role in the early years of the independence movement.

First, explore the Mount Vernon website and examine the vast collection of primary source documents and artifacts available to support classroom instruction.

Then, examine artifacts, objects, and documents in the Museum of the American Revolution’s special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, to consider how the Declaration of Independence inspired rights, sovereignty, and independence moments both at home and abroad.

Network with other teachers to consider modes of communication, networks of revolutionary relationships, and ongoing tensions between ideals and reality, learn more about museum resources, and brainstorm ideas for exploring the ongoing relevance of this revolutionary document in their classrooms.

Schedule

9:30 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
10 a.m.	Welcome
10:15 a.m.	George Washington's Role in the Independence Movement Jeff Boogaard
11:45 a.m.	Lunch and Explore the Museum
12:45 p.m.	Invisible Architects of Freedom Adrienne Whaley
2:45 p.m.	Taking It Back to the Classroom and Conclusion
3 p.m.	Optional: Continue to Explore the Museum

Registration Requirements

Who can register?

Teachers MUST teach in a formal K-12 classroom or school setting.
The program is limited to 60 teachers.
A waitlist will be available if registration meets full capacity.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]

Meet the Educators

Adrienne G. Whaley

Adrienne G. Whaley is an educator and history-lover who currently serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution.

She was recently named a Class of 2022 40 Under 40 by the Philadelphia Business Journal and a 10 Under 40 People to Watch honoree by the Philadelphia Tribune and is a 2022 recipient of the Paul Edward Sluby Meritorious Achievement Award from the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society.

Adrienne earned her Bachelor's degree in African American Studies from Harvard University and her Master's in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

She has worked in both art and history museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, and loves the potential for objects, artifacts, and primary source documents to enrich student learning experiences.

She carries her love of history and for uncovering the stories of common people into her spare time as an avid genealogist researching her own family history and as former Programming Chair and former President of Philadelphia's African American Genealogy Group.

As both a museum educator and as a genealogist, she has presented on television and in workshops and conferences both locally and nationally.

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.