Teacher Ambassador Council

Emily Bohn, New Jersey

Emily Bohn is a teacher of social studies, specifically United States History and AP Government and Politics. Related to the world of social studies, Emily is also a National Constitution Center Fellow, C-SPAN Fellow, and iCivics educator. Outside of school, her most important work is as a mother of two and taxing her children to and from their activities. Emily believes that there are many ways to serve our country, and teaching high school students about our history and civics is one way to do so. She has experienced tremendous growth as a social studies teacher and person because of Freedoms Foundation and wants to help other teachers and their students experience those benefits as well. As a cross-country and track coach for over twenty years, who also ran for the Army track team many years ago, Emily still considers those her favorite sports, but also loves watching baseball and football as well.  Besides studying history and spending time with family, Emily loves marathon training, hiking, and watching NASA launches.

Amy Caldeira, Montana

Amy Caldeira is from Montana and has taught for 26 years, including 12 as an 8th-grade history teacher. She is the New Teacher/Mentor Coordinator for her school district and leads training in interdisciplinary literacy for her region. She is a self-proclaimed freedom-loving patriot who is the sole member of the John Adams Fan Club. Amy can’t wait to meet folks from all over the country to share, learn, and network on the Sam Adams Patio.

Matt Collins, Texas

Matt Collins is a social studies teacher in his 25th year as a teacher in the Fort Worth ISD. He has been FWISD’s campus teacher of the year two times. Matt wanted to become the Foundation’s Texas Ambassador because he believes in the programs and needs to get more Texans to discover how Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge changes you as a teacher and person.

Matt is also the head soccer coach at his school and has been coaching for 26 years. If he had spare time Matt would spend it fishing, hunting, or going to live music shows.

Rebecca Heagy, New York

Rebecca currently teaches 8th and 10th grade English. In the past, she has taught Global and US History in both middle and high school settings and has spent time as a reading specialist. In 2022, she was recognized as her school’s “Beginning Teacher of the Year,” awarded to an educator in their first three years of teaching. Her love of history stems from her family’s deep agricultural roots in Pennsylvania, going back 10 generations to William Penn signing the deed for her family’s farm. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling. Rebecca wanted to become an Ambassador of Freedoms Foundation to promote the mission and opportunities provided by an organization that has given her, and therefore her students, a wealth of knowledge and resources, especially in the area of civics education. She feels strongly that Freedoms Foundation has made her a better teacher and wants to share that with other educators!

Anne Hester, Florida

Anne serves as a U.S. History teacher and the Social Studies Department Chair at East Lee County High School in Lehigh Acres, FL. She is also a James Madison Fellow, a Robert Jackson Center Fellow, an American Revolution Institute Master Teacher and a board member of the Florida Council for Social Studies.  She wanted to become an Ambassador of Freedoms Foundation because she feels strongly about civic literacy and giving teachers the tools to help them educate their students on citizenship and community. When not in the classroom,  she enjoys traveling, kaiju movies and spending time with family.

Ruth King, Utah

Ruth King grew up on a dairy farm in Idaho, attended Brigham Young University, and spent her 36-year career in Alpine School District (Utah) as a 5th/6th grade teacher, with the first 1/3 teaching all subjects in Spanish. Ruth has served 10 years in the leadership of the Utah Geographic Alliance and was a member of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Mentor Advisory Group. She was also a steering committee member/master teacher for her school district’s two Teaching American History Grants, which provided elementary, Jr. high, and high school teachers historical content and modeled pedagogy strategies over the course of nine years. In 2011, Ruth was named the National Council for the Social Studies Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Ruth is a Master Teacher for the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) and serves on the GLI’s Teacher Advisory Council. She’s also a board member for the Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge (FFVF) Utah chapter.

Veronica Kivela, Florida

Veronica Kivela teaches 12th-grade U.S. Government and Economics with Financial Literacy in Florida. Veronica wanted to become an Ambassador of Freedoms because she wanted to be a voice of reason ahead of the many changes being made to social science subjects. She firmly believes that by ensuring what we teach still covers the core of the founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution, we can get back to what it means to “teach freedom”. Veronica’s hobbies include learning to play new instruments (currently the Cello), tennis, kayaking, and riding horses. An interesting fact about Veronica would be that she is a proud Swiftie (as of 2023).

Jennifer Kraley, Washington

Jennifer Kraley is excited to be an Ambassador of Freedoms. She has participated in Freedoms Foundation programs for the past 12 years and is looking forward to having the privilege of attending more in the future. Jennifer is now in her twentieth year of education. Currently, she working as a special education teacher, teaching all subjects. This allows her to bring history into multiple subjects. Jennifer is a self-professed history nerd, and her current favorite book is Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. This year, she is also on the Teacher Advisory Council at the National Constitution Center, as well as a Board member for her synagogue’s Hadassah’s Membership Chapter.

Nicole Morrison, Indiana

Nicole Morrison has been teaching at The Excel Center in Clarksville, Indiana for almost 5 years. She has been teaching altogether for 20 years. Here at The Excel Center, Nicole is the Lead Teacher. She also teaches English, Social Studies, and ENGL 111 Dual Credit, and POLS 101 Dual Credit. Nicole is a 2017 James Madison Fellow representing the state of Indiana. She is also a member of the iCivics Education Network, National Constitution Center Teacher Advisory Council, Council on Foreign Relations World 101 Education Ambassador, and Retro Report Ambassador. Nicole wanted to become an Ambassador of Freedoms to share with fellow educators in the “Kentuckiana” area the value of the Summer Teacher Seminars and how much time Freedoms Foundations of Valley Forge has put into helping teachers promote the value and responsibility of citizenship and understanding our nation’s history. Nicole’s favorite hobbies are historical sightseeing, hiking, and reading as well as loving basketball (Go IU Hoosiers) and MLB (Go Cincinnati Reds). 

Michelle Nystel, Iowa

Michelle Nystel is currently a Social Studies and Talented and Gifted educator at Turkey Valley Community School located in northeast Iowa. She coaches Large Group and Small Group speech teams as well as directs spring plays. Michelle’s school is a PK-12 building and she gets to work with all grades every day. In 2023 Michelle served as an iCivics Ambassador as well as a Retro Report Teacher Ambassador. At the state level, she has been recognized for her dedication to spreading civic awareness and supporting voter registration in her district. Michelle believes civic education is the cornerstone from which our society is built and she has dedicated her years of teaching to working with the district’s staff and students to become more civically aware and therefore more involved. By serving as an Ambassador of Freedom Michelle can expand her reach and help share her passion for civic education with people from around the country. Michelle can’t wait to begin her journey as an Ambassador of Freedom!

Lyndsey Randall, Arkansas

Lyndsey Randall teaches Pre-AP World History and Geography at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas, and is a member of CollegeBoard’s Pre-AP National Faculty. She’s been teaching high school history for 18 years and especially loves diving into the American Revolution with students. Lyndsey is a graduate of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the University of Arkansas ARTeacher Fellowship, an arts integration program, and recently wrote a chapter for an arts-integration primer that was published through the program’s efforts. She was the 2019 Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year. An active adult volunteer in scouting, Lyndsey wanted to become a Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge ambassador because she is passionate about civics, patriotic history, and education. When she’s not teaching or attending incredible social studies institutes, Lyndsey enjoys hiking, running, and traveling to America’s National Parks with her husband and son. Her favorite book is The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. 

Keith Robinson, Ohio

Keith Robinson teaches 8th grade U.S. History and Civics at the same middle school he attended: Liberty Union – Thurston Middle School in Baltimore, Ohio. He earned his undergraduate degree at Ohio University and a Masters of American History and Government (MAHG) at Ashland University. Freedoms Foundation offers high-quality, relevant teacher programs, and Keith looks forward to sharing these impactful opportunities with fellow educators. In his spare time, Keith enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring new historic places.

Dr. Mary Sloat, Oklahoma

Dr. Mary Sloat is a high school English teacher at Garber Public Schools, where she teaches 9-12 grades and is the National Honor Society sponsor and yearbook advisor. She has taught for twenty-seven years in both public and private schools. She has served as Lead Writer for the ELA Curriculum Framework Project and the Secondary ELA Content Review Team for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. She is also serving a three-year term as co-editor for the Oklahoma Literacy Journal. Dr. Sloat wanted to become a Freedoms Foundation Ambassador because of its amazing history, program, and mission. She is passionate about American History and Civics, and this ambassadorship will allow her to share the Foundation’s important purpose with other teachers and students. Her hobby is traveling, and she visits presidential homes and libraries every summer.

Bruce Stubblefield, Tennessee

Bruce Stubblefield earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has 10 years of experience in public education, with 9 being in the classroom. He is currently the 6-12 Social Studies Content Lead for Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, TN. He has taught Economics, IB History of the Americas, Statewide Dual Credit American History II, standard US History, and 6th Grade Ancient History. He is married to an educator and a father to two young children. He loves reading (history, sci-fi, and classic/modern literature), hiking/camping, video games, soccer, college football, and yard work!

Dr. Travis Towne, North Carolina

Dr. Travis Towne, a National Board Certified Teacher and Social Studies department chair at Lenoir County Early College High School in Kinston, NC, brings over 18 years of teaching experience in various levels of education. Actively involved in a variety of educational organizations, he serves as a regional board member and master teacher for the North Carolina Council on Economic Education (NCCEE) and also is a representative for Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). Additionally, Dr. Towne is a Board of Directors member for the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies (NCCSS) and contributes to curriculum development for the Lenoir County Public School system. Beyond his educational roles, Dr. Towne is the Chief Livestream Engineer for Magic Mile Media and Neuse News. He volunteers as a drummer and technical facilitator at Tanglewood Church of God. As an Army veteran with service during Iraqi Freedom, he emphasizes the importance of providing youth with a solid foundation in historical perspectives, civic literacy, and personal finance. Dr. Towne views his role as an Ambassador of Freedoms as an opportunity to inspire teachers to make a meaningful impact on their students’ civic lives.

Keshia Stiles, California 

Keshia Stiles has been a middle school teacher for 12 years in California. She grew up in San Diego, California and attended San Diego State University for her BA in Liberal Studies and her Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. Four years ago, she moved to Tracy, California to teach 8th grade at a small K-8 school. Since then, she has earned her MAEd in Educational Technology at Concordia University in Irvine in 2022. Recently, she started an EdD program focused on leadership at Concordia University.

Brande Vogele, Kansas

Brande Vogele, a dedicated educator at Chaparral Jr/Sr High School in Anthony, Kansas, teaches Government, Economics, Sociology, Personal Finance, History of the Holocaust, and Kansas History. With 11 years in special education and 3 years in social studies, she holds a History degree from Kansas State University and a Special Education Master’s from Fort Hays State University. Currently pursuing a Master’s in American History at Gettysburg University, Brande is committed to ongoing learning. Passionate about the Constitution, she empowers students to engage civically. Recognized for excellence, she was the 2019 special education teacher of the year and a district teacher of the year nominee. Brande is excited to be a Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Ambassador and excited to help others foster a love for civics and American history with their students. Beyond the classroom, with her paramedic husband and two sons, she volunteers at an animal rescue, explores historical markers on any drive, and enjoys gardening and her backyard chickens.

Kevin Wagner, Pennsylvania

Kevin Wagner is the Social Studies Program Supervisor, Grades 6-12, for the Carlisle Area School District. He has been a teacher within the district for 27 years, the past 18 as program supervisor. He is a strong advocate for social studies instruction, serving on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies, the Middle States Council for Social Studies, and the Pennsylvania Teachers Advisory Board. He currently serves as a teacher advisory member for the Sphere Education Initiative. He has received numerous awards for education and teaching including the Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Educational Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to educational administration, the National Liberty Museum’s “Teacher as Hero” Award for making a difference in the lives of students, the National VFW Teacher of the Year Award, the American Historical Association’s Beveridge Family Teaching Award, and recently the Department of Army’s “Public Service Commendation Medal” by the commandant of the U.S. Army War College to highlight just a few. He expressed a desire to become an Ambassador of Freedoms Foundation because he believes in the power of civic education and the need for strong civil discourse. One of his favorite hobbies is visiting as many presidential homes as possible!

Rhonda Watton, Wisconsin

Rhonda Watton is an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Templeton Middle School in Sussex, Wisconsin, where she teaches U.S. History and Government. She is a NBCT, a James Madison Fellow, a Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year, a past NCSS Board member, Executive Director of Internal Affairs for the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, and is active with many professional organizations.  She wanted to become an Ambassador for Freedoms to promote their programs,  collaborate with colleagues, and promote civic education!   Rhonda enjoys traveling, reading, attending and facilitating professional development opportunities,  spending time with friends, and visiting historical sites.

Kymberli Wregglesworth, Michigan

Kymberli Wregglesworth is a veteran social studies teacher at Onaway Secondary School in Onaway, MI, where she teaches civics, world history, current events, and several other electives including genocide studies and women’s studies. She was a 2023 finalist for the Bill of Rights Institute National Civics Teacher of the Year. Kymberli currently serves as the Past President of the Michigan Council for the Social Studies and is also on the Board of Directors for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year. She wanted to be an Ambassador of Freedom because she believes in the mission of the Freedoms Foundation and looks forward to sharing the opportunities with colleagues. When she’s not doing school-related things (which isn’t very often), she enjoys spending time in the wilds of northern Michigan with her husband and daughter.