Keynote, Breakout & Power Sessions
The 2025 Virtual Teacher Institute
Schedule and speaker lineup are subject to change.
Keynote Sessions:
The Unvanquished: The Untold Story of Lincoln's Special Forces, the Manhunt for Mosby’s Rangers, and the Shadow War That Forged America's Special Operations
The Civil War is most remembered for the grand battles that have come to define it: Gettysburg, Antietam, Shiloh, among others. However, as bestselling author Patrick K. O’Donnell reveals, a vital shadow war raged amid and away from the major battlefields that was in many ways equally consequential to the conflict’s outcome.
Learn about the epic accounts of Lincoln’s special forces, the Jessie Scouts. In a contest fought between irregular units, the Scouts hunted John Singleton Mosby’s Confederate Rangers from the middle of 1863 up to war’s end at Appomattox. With both sides employing pioneering tradecraft, they engaged in dozens of raids and spy missions, often perilously wearing the other’s uniform, risking penalty of death if captured. North and South deployed special operations that could have changed the war’s direction in 1864, and crucially during the Appomattox Campaign, Jessie Scouts led the Union army to a final victory.
Session Type: Keynote (Monday)
Presenter: Patrick K. O'Donnell
Subject Areas: Military History, Lesser-Known Stories
Time Periods: American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
The Stories We Tell
Inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps as a writer, Jeff Shaara is a leading author of historical novels. His 20 books span many eras of U.S. History, including the American Revolution, Mexican American War, Civil War and World War II.
What stories inspire us? How do we tell the stories of history in impactful ways? What are key insights for looking closer at real-life history dramas? Join us for a keynote discussion as Jeff Shaara shares about his writing, historical inspiration and watching the next generations engage with the stories of the past.
Session Type: Keynote (Wednesday)
Presenter: Jeff Shaara, New York Times Bestselling Author
Subject Areas: Writing/Storytelling, Lesser-Known Stories, Field Trips
Time Periods: U.S. History
Grade Levels: All
Power Sessions!
A Power Session is a quick-paced session, focusing on FREE RESOURCES created by the American Battlefield Trust and how you can use them immediately to inspire your students.
Power Session! 1775 Lesson Plans
Come walk through the American Battlefield Trust’s free curriculum and lesson plans! We’ll be highlighting the new “1775 Perspectives” Lesson Plans and all their resources and will also take a glance at the American Revolution, War of 1812 and American Civil War Curriculums. Expect a dash of lively history and a fast-paced overview to consider what might work best in your classroom with these lesson plans. Do you want the whole lesson...or do you want to pick and choose resources and activities? (We’ll show you how easy it is to do both!)
Session Type: Power Session (Monday)
Presenter: Sarah Kay Bierle, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Pedagogy, Hands-on, Lesson Plans/Curriculum, Resources
Time Periods: American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
Power Session! Near or Far: History Travels
Whether you’re planning a field trip to a historic site or want to bring hands-on history right into your classroom, this is the session for you! Learn about the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program and Traveling Trunk Program and the opportunities to enrich your student’s history experiences. We’ll walk you through the details of these FREE opportunities and help you feel confident for the easy application process. Expect some delightful field trip stories and quick history facts, then it will be time to buckle up and see how to apply for a Traveling Trunk or up to $3000 as a History Field Trip Grant.
Session Type: Power Session (Tuesday)
Presenter: Sarah Kay Bierle, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Pedagogy, Hands-on, Field Trips, Resources
Time Periods: American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War
Grade Levels: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Power Session! AR/VR: A Close-Up of History
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) offer unprecedented opportunities to explore history. Explore the American Battlefield Trust’s AR/VR Experiences which focus on the beginning of the American Revolution and the trench warfare during the American Civil War. You’ll get to watch some of the free videos which can be experienced with reality googles or simply viewed on a screen. Then we’ll take a deeper dive into the free lesson plans that match the experiences and align to Common Core and NCSS Standards. Prepare to be thrilled as footage and sound sweep you into an inspiring experience and we’ll chat about ways to bring these moments to your students.
Session Type: Power Session (Wednesday)
Presenter: Sarah Kay Bierle, American Battlefield Trust
Subject Areas: Pedagogy, Hands-on, Virtual Reality, Digital Learning, Resources
Time Periods: American Revolution, American Civil War
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College Level
Breakout Sessions:
Monday:
A Women's War: Stories to Share and People to Know From the Revolutionary War
From camp followers to warriors, poets to politicians, and many roles in between, women were significant participants in the Revolutionary War and the years of protest that preceded it. In this session, you'll explore a variety of ways in which diverse women made their voices heard, used their actions to demonstrate their political beliefs, and advocated for their families and communities in a tenuous and dangerous time. Along the way, you'll learn about resources from the Museum of the American Revolution and beyond to help you share these stories in your classroom.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Adrienne G. Whaley, Museum of the American Revolution
Subject Areas: 250th Anniversary, Women's History, Social History, Resources
Time Periods: American Revolution
Grade Levels: All
"Fix Bayonets!": Charging into Digital History
Looking for new ideas for using podcasts and new digital or virtual history in your classroom? Want to explore some of the lesser-known sites to see at Gettysburg battlefield...in-person or online? Join popular podcast host Matt Callery (Addressing Gettysburg) and journalist professor and podcaster Chris Mackowski (Emerging Civil War) for a lively discussion of the tools, challenges and benefits of digital history and the experiences they create at Gettysburg and beyond for a deeper understanding of American Civil War history.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Matt Callery, Addressing Gettysburg Podcast Host, and Dr. Chris Mackowski, American Battlefield Trust Copie Hill Fellow
Subject Areas: Digital History, Virtual History, Gettysburg Battlefield, Field Trips
Time Periods: American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: The Battles of Lexington and Concord
On April 19, 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington and Concord outside Boston, Massachusetts. What started as a mission by British troops to find hidden stores of weapons and gunpowder ended in a day-long 18-mile running battle. The battles were incredibly bloody and vicious as New England militias engulfed the British troops. These battles started an eight-year war that resulted in the independence of the new United States of America. Come learn about these first battles of the war and what visitors to the area can see there today.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Mark Maloy, Historian and Author
Subject Areas: 250th Anniversary, Revolutionary War History, Field Trips
Time Periods: American Revolution
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College Level
Gettysburg: Before & Beyond the Battle
Say the word "Gettysburg" and American Civil War history comes to mind: a three-day battle, and the 16th president's famous speech. But there's a lot of other history, bookending July 1863 in this Pennsylvania community's story. Join Adams County Historian, Tim Smith, and trace Gettysburg's history from the Colonial Era and Revolutionary War to veterans of the War of 1812, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, historic battlefield tourism, farming, soldiers of World War camping nearby and even a president who settled nearby! Learn new accounts to share with your students in the classroom or during Gettysburg field trips.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Timothy H. Smith, Historian & Director of Education at Adams County Historical Society
Subject Areas: Gettysburg, Local History, Field Trips
Time Periods: American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War
Grade Levels: All
Tuesday:
Reconstructing Democracy: Civic Challenges After War
Winning a war is just the beginning—rebuilding a democracy is the true test of a nation’s principles. This session will explore the post-Civil War struggles of Reconstruction, highlighting how debates over citizenship, civil rights, and the balance of power between state and federal governments shaped the future of American democracy. Using the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curriculum, participants will examine constitutional principles such as federalism, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights in the aftermath of conflict. Educators will engage with primary sources, court cases, and interactive activities to help students connect historical Reconstruction challenges to contemporary civic issues. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use strategies to deepen student understanding of how wars reshape democracy and the ongoing struggle for a more perfect union.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Emily Voss, Center for Civic Education
Subject Areas: Civics, U.S. Constitution, Primary Sources, Resources
Time Periods: Reconstruction Era/Government
Grade Levels: All
Andersonville & Prisoners of War during the American Civil War
Nearly 13,000 men died at Andersonville, a prisoner of war camp in Georgia. The site became infamous even before the Civil War ended, and the burial grounds became Andersonville National Cemetery and also the site of the National Prisoner of War Museum. It’s hard history but come learn about the experiences of Civil War prisoners of war and how Andersonville has been remembered in history.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Teri A. Surber, Andersonville National Historic Site
Subject Areas: Hard History, Human Rights, History & Memory, Civil War Soldiers, Field Trips
Time Periods: American Civil War
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College
Religion in the Ranks
As one of the primary ways that Americans, North and South, gave meaning to their life experiences, religion has too often been left out of how we understand the Civil War. This program explores the experiences of six chaplains who served at Gettysburg to gain insight into the religious lives of soldiers in the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenters: Dr. Daryl Black, American Battlefield Trust Copie Hill Fellow
Subject Areas: Battle of Gettysburg, Diverse Beliefs
Time Period: American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
Clara Barton & The Missing Soldiers Office
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine's Melissa Winn and Madeleine Thompson will be highlighting the remarkable discovery of the Missing Soldiers Office, operated from 1865-1868 by Clara Barton. This discussion will explore Barton’s life, her pivotal role during the Civil War, her efforts in identifying missing soldiers, and the impact of her work on humanitarian efforts. Additionally, Melissa and Madeleine will shed light on the preservation process that brought this once-forgotten site to its current life as a museum. Attendees will gain insight into Barton's enduring contributions and the museum’s role in preserving and educating on this important history.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenters: Madeleine Thompson and Melissa Winn, National Museum of Civil War Medicine/Missing Soldiers Office
Subject Areas: Women's History, Field Trips, Humanitarian Efforts
Time Period: American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
Paul Revere: At Home
250 years ago, in April 1775, Paul Revere bade goodbye to his wife and children and left his home to begin a ride that would turn him into a legend of American History. What better time to learn about the wide range of educational offerings at the Paul Revere House today, from guided tours for school groups, to in-depth programming provided in local classrooms, to virtual field trips bringing primary source and personalized Paul Revere content directly to your students? Emily Holmes, Education Director, at the Paul Revere House, will share glimpses into the rare 17th century home of the famous Revolutionary War Patriot, offering insight into how the structure functioned throughout its history as a home, and what it is like to visit today, in its 117th year as a museum!
Session Type: Breakout
Presenters: Emily Holmes, Paul Revere House
Subject Areas: Biography, Field Trips, 250th Anniversary
Time Period: American Revolution
Grade Levels: All
Wednesday:
Founding Friends, Founding Foes: Civil Discourse in the Classroom with Monticello
On July 4, 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In preparation of the 250th anniversary in 2026, Monticello will be offering the Founding Friends, Founding Foes Tour, which explores the complicated relationship between these two founders. Visitors will hear the story of how Jefferson and Adams became allies for independence in 1776, bitter rivals in an age of partisanship, and how they restored their friendship in retirement. The tour will also reveal how ordinary people became leaders of the Revolution and then struggles through their own disagreements to transform the ideals of freedom and equality into and enduring government.
On select evenings, Monticello will offer a version of the tour which will include a Feast of Reason. Named for dinners that Jefferson hosted and known for their good food and interesting conversation, the Feast of Reason is an activity that encourages dialogue about civics over food and drink. Participants receive a deck of cards organized into 4 categories that mirror a 4-course meal. As the meal progresses, so do the questions, allowing participants to share their perspectives and learn from each other.
Join Monticello as they introduce the tour and activity and talk about how educators can incorporate them into their classroom instruction. Participants will leave with a digital copy of the Feast of Reason activity, and concrete examples of how to incorporate civics and civil discourse into the classroom.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Justin Bates and Hannah Zimmerman, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Subject Areas: Classroom Resources, Civics Engagement, Civil Discourse
Time Periods: American Revolution, Jeffersonian Era
Grade Levels: All
The Battle of Alamance: Wait, Where Did It Happen?
This presentation will provide a summary of the North Carolina Regulation (1765-1771) and how it can alter our understanding of the American Revolution. Also, due to new archeological information Alamance Battleground has reopened the case of where the battle happens, as the previous information was completely wrong! This presentation will detail the educational opportunity to evaluate incorrect historical information and how new findings can be used to teach students and visitors complex history.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Nathan Schultz, Alamance Battleground State Historic Site
Subject Areas: Archaeology, Complex History, Field Trips
Time Periods: Colonial Era
Grade Levels: All
How the 33rd U.S.C.T. Changed My Understanding of the Civil War
The story of the First South Carolina Volunteers (Colored Infantry), later the 33rd US Colored Troops, is instrumental in understanding the Civil War as a war for freedom. This presentation will demonstrate how educators can use this regiment to discuss enslavement, the gradual nature of emancipation, the meaning of military service, the war for the southern Atlantic coast, the Port Royal Experiment, and Reconstruction. Attendees will learn how to utilize a plethora of digital primary sources, especially the wartime reminiscences of nurse and educator Susie King Taylor.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Melissa DeVelvis, Historian
Subject Areas: Civil War Soldiers, Complex History, Women's History, Primary Sources
Time Periods: American Civil War
Grade Levels: All
The Ships Named Missouri and their Legacies
There have been five different warships named after the State of Missouri. Each one has reflected the growth and innovation of the U.S. Navy. We will briefly discuss each warship and their legacy, focusing on the key historical events and figures related to them. The first was a steam frigate launched in 1841 and the last is a nuclear submarine that is still serving today. There will be a highlight on the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) that hosted the Surrender of Japan at the end of WWII.
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Jared Ludlow, Jr., Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Subject Areas: Naval History, Maritime History, Complex History, Field Trips
Time Periods: American Civil War, World War II
Grade Levels: All
Fighting for Independence: The Continental Army, 1775 vs. 1777
Ever wondered how the Continental Army was organized as the American Revolution lead to United States’ independence? 250 Years ago—in 1775—the U.S. Army was formed, though often called the Continental Army at the time. However, at the time, few leaders considered that the army would be fighting a years’-long war. As the 1776 campaign progressed, it became clear to Congress and a new structure for the army was needed, and the result of those changes manifested itself in 1777. This presentation will take a closer look at the creation of the U.S. Army, the experiences of Revolutionary War soldiers and the evolution of the army as the war for independence continued. Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of “General Washington’s Army” and how it organized to win the Revolution!
Session Type: Breakout
Presenter: Michael C. Harris, Educator and Author
Subject Areas: 250th Anniversary, Military History, Political History
Time Periods: American Revolution
Grade Levels: Middle School, High School, College