The American Revolution Educator Event

American Revolution FREE Educator Event

BTPM Studios

140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202

8:30 am – 2:00 pm

The American Revolution Educator Event is a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration designed specifically for teachers. Participants will explore exclusive clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, gain fresh perspectives from scholars and speakers, and leave with resources to bring into their classrooms! Lunch is included and this event will also provide 4 hours of CTLE credit.

What to Expect:

• Breakfast, networking, and resource tables to kick off the day
• A screening of segments from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt and a Compact History overview
• Deep dives into Indigenous and African American perspectives of the Revolution
• PBS LearningMedia tools and classroom-ready resources
• Interactive mini-sessions with local historians and educators
• Hands-on activities, puzzles, and simulations to take back to your students

SPEAKERS

Indigenous Perspective of the American Revolution

Melissa Parker Leonard is the founder of 7th Gen Cultural Resources, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous history. With over 15 years of experience as an educator and advocate, she focuses on the history of the Haudenosaunee in Buffalo, particularly through the stories of her ancestors, Red Jacket and Ely S. Parker. Melissa’s passion for Seneca history was deeply influenced by her father, Al Parker, a respected historian. A proud Buffalonian, she holds both Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Education from Canisius University and serves on the Buffalo History Museum’s Board of Managers, chairing the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, & Inclusion Committee. She volunteers with Indigenous Women’s Initiatives and lives on Buffalo's West Side with her husband and four children.

African American Perspective of the American Revolution

LaGarrett J. King is an Associate Professor of Social Studies Education in the Department of Learning and Instruction in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo. He was previously the Isabella Wade Lyda and Paul Lyda Professor of Education at the University of Missouri. He received his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin after an eight-year teaching career in Georgia and Texas. His primary research interest examines the teaching and learning of Black history in schools and society. He also researches critical theories of race, teacher education and curriculum history.

Production Credits:

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, Salimah El-Amin and Ken Burns. Edited by Tricia Reidy, Maya Mumma, Charles E. Horton, and Craig Mellish. Co-Produced by Megan Ruffe and Mike Welt. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The executive in charge for WETA was John F. Wilson (who passed away in November of 2024). Executive producer is Ken Burns.

Funding Credits:

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.