National Council of Scholars
With careful attention to credentials, an outstanding National Council of Scholars was formed to clearly define and maintain the integrity of educational programming. The members of the council represented varied doctorates in History and Political Science, and were also lauded as authors, civics and public policy experts, and educators. Their geographic diversity across the nation mirrored their outlook on behalf of Presidents Park as it prepared to stand dedicated to education for every American. The Council contributed facts to be evidenced in the park as comments and statements from over 40 official US Presidential Libraries and Homes were aligned with the monuments.

Board of Education
Presidents Park’s Board of Education began with nine educators representing degrees from universities in seven states. The board members’ combined teaching experiences included public and private schools in elementary and secondary education, as well as college level courses. Some had become administrators while others served as specialists in Social Studies, World History, U.S. History, Special Education, and Gifted Education. Their first objective was to assist with the educational stance the park would define for each represented president and proceed with curriculum objectives and lesson plans.

Virginia Certified Teachers and Standards of Learning
Educational materials for Presidents Park were developed by certified teachers across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Their adherence to Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs) guidelines and objectives were definitive. These guidelines would prove to be easily correlated with other states’ objectives as well. Five educational tours with materials were developed for the park’s opening. All were reviewed and approved by the Council of Scholars and Board of Education before initial presentation to the public.
In the first year of operation, completed surveys indicated that 100% of the school groups touring the park had rated the experience as positive and productive for their curriculum needs. Special activities were also well received on tribute days and holidays. The addition of new members to the Board of Education has also proven to be rewarding as more school districts and states are represented by dedicated educators.

Today . . .
The new Director of Education, Winette Sparkman Jeffery, came to Presidents Park as a volunteer on the initial Board of Education before coming to serve on staff this summer. Her vivid career teaching history to youngsters in Tennessee and Virginia has included two children’s television series, various historic dramas and musicals, and four publications dedicated to history. Presidents Park will begin publishing more materials for classroom use with her guidance.
Excitement is in the air as the lives of the presidents, first ladies, and their families will be evidenced in new pre/post visit materials and outreach programs for schools. Adult education seminars are being developed as well. Presidents Park will continue its dedication to making history more interesting and special for Americans of all ages. We invite you to join our study!