Schools and other young audiences

Virtual and in-person audience-participation based shows that are tailored for specific grade, developmental, and age groups: elementary, middle, and high school.

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Virtual visits with young audiences at home

Mr. Jefferson makes virtual visits to young audiences and their families. In this video, Jefferson answers questions about the presidency and George Washington.

In addition to virtual school visits, Mr. Jefferson also visits young audiences and students in their homes by means of Zoom. Mr. Jefferson can visit with your child’s entire class even while they are engaging in at-home study!

High School

Thomas Jefferson impersonator Steve Edenbo shakes hands with happy student — Thomas Jefferson welcomes high school students to have fun making meaningful connections between the past and the present.

A highschool student talks person-to-person with Thomas Jefferson — Students connect personally with their history in one-to-one conversations with Thomas Jefferson. (Photo curtesy of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge)

Thomas Jefferson offers wisdom and motivation from 1776 for an audience of modern high school students.

Thomas Jefferson contrasts James Madison’s and Patrick Henry’s styles of protest.

Thomas Jefferson engages high school students by challenging them with leadership messages, motivating them to improve their communities and the nation by means of their civic participation in government.

Thomas Jefferson presidential impersonator inspiring high school students in Independence Hall. — Mr. Jefferson talks with, not at, high school students in Independence Hall, inviting them to challenge him when they disagree, and challenging them to change America for the better! (Photo courtesy of Independence National Historical Park)

Mr. Jefferson offers a commencement address for troubled times.

Mr. Jefferson points out the distinction between crafting an argument and getting into an argument during a writing workshop for high school students. This interactive, educational class taught by the author of the Declaration of Independence uses that founding document as a model for teaching Jefferson’s techniques of crafting an effective argument. The program is based on modern high school curriculum and was developed in partnership with Independence National Historical Park and The National Writing Project.

“The students loved their time with you —you are so inspirational! Steve, you have honed your presentation so well —I wish every student in America could hear it!”

—Cathy Gillespie, Constituting America

Middle School

Thomas Jefferson (Steve Edenbo) uses an 18th century "cup and ball" toy to illustrate, with the help of student volunteers, the development of natural law and "all men are created equal" from Cicero to the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson uses a mixture of fun and inspiration to communicate America’s core founding ideas and ideals, while also teaching about the writing process behind the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson (Steve Edenbo) uses the 18th Century toy "Jacob's ladder," with the help of a student volunteer, to illustrate key Jeffersonian concepts of scientific method and the responsibility of each generation to improve on the work their ancestors have begun.

Thomas Jefferson impersonator Steve Edenbo makes history approachable for young audiences. — Mr. Jefferson makes history approachable for young audiences. (Photo courtesy of the N-Y Historical Society)

Elementary School

Jefferson keeps young students giggling and having fun while he enlists the help of student volunteers.

“You did a fantastic job tailoring your messages for each of the grade levels in the pod visits. I was amazed at how effective the slightest change of language or your demeanor was so effective for the different ages.”

—Catherine Twitmeyer, Teacher, Wayne Elementary

Audience participation is absolutely key with the youngest audiences. Mr. Jefferson tells stories from his life and explains how he changed America in a way that is fun and interactive. (For upper-elementary students who have studied or are studying the Revolutionary War.)

Steve Edenbo’s Thomas Jefferson respects the serious questions and ideas that children often have. He always listens carefully and responds with the dignity that all people —no matter how young or old— deserve. (Photo taken at The United States National Archives in Washington, DC.)

Thomas Jefferson lookalike Steve Edenbo entertaining and educating elementary schools students — Laughter and learning go hand-in-hand when Mr. Jefferson visits your elementary school!

Writing Workshops

Thomas Jefferson (Steve Edenbo), in conjunction with Independence National Historical Park and The National Writing Project, created interactive programming that uses the Declaration of Independence as a model for teaching students how to write effective arguments. Jefferson offers a single class period version of this workshop for schools and writing clubs.

Middle school, high school, and college students will benefit from an array workshops in which Thomas Jefferson uses primary documents to teach writing techniques. The Declaration of Independence serves as the centerpiece of one program that teaches the crafting of an effective argument (see video.) In another presentation, Mr. Jefferson compares and contrasts multiple letters and documents that he wrote on the subject of revolution, using them as examples of how to adjust tone while writing on the same theme for different audiences.

Thomas Jefferson points out the difference between constructing an argument and getting into an argument at the beginning of a writing workshop for high school students.

Thomas Jefferson interpreter Steve Edenbo leads a writing workshop for students — Your students will interact directly with primary documents as the author of The Declaration of Independence teaches them his writing techniques.

“Thanks for everything, Steve. You were amazing, as always. Your ability to adapt to your audience while still providing the historical content is excellent.

It is the hallmark of good interpretation.”

—Renee Albertoli, Interpretive Specialist, Independence National Historical Park