SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
JUNE 14 – 18, 2010

TEACHERS’ COMMENTS

This week’s experience with the Survivors has left me speechless. I sat in awe as each of the individuals shared their life experiences and were willing and able to answer our questions.

I feel truly honored to have been here and know that I am obligated to bring to life the Survivors’ stories to my students.

Reading about the Holocaust is one thing, but sitting next to a Survivor is a whole new experience. Nothing compares to firsthand accounts and emotions that cannot be interpreted with words. I am so privileged to have spoken to the Survivors.

To experience Survivors face to face who actually experienced the Holocaust and its horror is truly eye opening and touches one’s emotions.

As I continue to learn about the lives of these Survivors, I am amazed at their commitment to disseminate their stories, so that others can learn from them.

As I listened to the Survivor at my table today, I felt her urgency in telling her story. When I thanked her for sharing with us, she said, “I must do this. It is my responsibility.” What is my responsibility as a teacher? I wondered. I must listen to keep the stories living as long as I live. Isn’t this why I chose to be a teacher?

I applaud the Survivors who are willing to tell their stories in order to leave their legacies.

I have had the honor - the gift of learning - from the source of those who were actually there.

To me, the Survivors are among the finest people I’ve ever met. The most intriguing aspect was how honest and engaging they were. They were truly the highlight of the institute.

The work that was done with the Survivors was unlike any other program I have ever been part of and, I feel blessed to have had the chance to get to know so many of them.

Knowing that there are people who live with these awful scars from a horrific time in history makes my worst time seem inconsequential.

I was deeply moved by each Survivor’s story that was shared with us. It was wonderfully inspiring to sit and talk with them. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this institute.

During this week, I had the same feelings that I experienced after visiting the Holocaust museum in Washington – the recognition of the tribute to life, the resilience of the Survivors, and the appreciation for their ability to continue to live each day in spite of the horrors they experienced. They are the true heroes of the Holocaust.

COMMENTS ON THE TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE

I feel compelled to learn more now that I have attended this institute. There is so much to know and so much information is available about the Holocaust for all of us. For sure, I will be a more informed educator as a result of just this one week.

I’m totally absorbed and enveloped being here in the Center and being with the Survivors. This was an awesome and emotional experience, which created a powerfully stimulating learning environment.

As a teacher, a witness, and a human being, it is my responsibly to pass on the information we learned this week.

Too often the Holocaust is taught as a one-dimensional experience. This institute was anything but that. I have learned this week that there are many other sides and that we need to expose our students to all aspects as so many people were impacted by the horrors of the Holocaust.

I arrived with so many questions. I am leaving with answers to the beginning of a long journey of insight and wisdom.

The Holocaust was a tragic time in history. I firmly believe that, as a teacher, it is important to bring awareness of the Holocaust and teach students the importance of acceptance of others regardless of our differences.

The institute was exceptional in every way - the variety of activities, lectures, organization, length of time of each session, materials and resources, technology, etc. We have so much to take back to our classrooms.

You know your audience and made sure everyone understood the purpose and goal of what we were accomplishing throughout the week.

The experience left me with many emotions ranging from interest, despair, compassion,  appreciation, and awe.

The understanding of being grateful for my life is what I’m taking home to share with friends and family. I have learned not to take anything for granted after hearing all the Survivors share their stories with us.

I owe it to others and to myself to learn, share, and get involved.

It definitely impressed me as to how important it is to never forget and to teach understanding, care, and appreciation for others.

It’s the teacher’s responsibly to teach the history of the Holocaust for the future generations.  Also the students must be taught not to hate or develop prejudices towards other groups of people. This is the key to everything we’ve learned.

On an educational level, I am learning so many new facets of the Holocaust that will definitely influence how I teach it and how I convey the many aspects.

This workshop has inspired me to teach a Holocaust class – to create one for our school.

This was an amazing workshop – the most powerful one I have ever attended. The guest speakers, sitting with the Survivors, and seeing an actual rail car were all life changing experiences.

Visiting a rail car was a powerful experience, especially since it was coupled with a Survivor’s personal experience.

 All of the material is extremely pertinent to the present problems in the world. The connections that were made to current day genocides will be most helpful in my teaching of the Holocaust.

It was one of the best five days of my life.  This week was put together so well. I’m speechless.

Every activity and each piece of information that was presented was useful to us teachers and furthered my level of knowledge.

The way the program was put together was amazing. The guest speakers and the resources provided were very helpful in understanding the content of this class.
This was an emotional journey through time and history.

The institute was far superior to any I have attended. There is no comparison to the quality of the materials and information presented as well as the professionalism and organization of the course

This has been a revelation both of spirit and education.

This program should be mandatory. It was excellent in every way and was the most meaningful experience I’ve had in a long time. 

This institute is more personal than the others I have attended. There is more one-on-one interaction with Survivors and presents a less strict “academic” lecture approach. I feel like we all learned in a way that will make it much easier to take back to our classrooms. 

There is no doubt that this has been the best course I’ve taken in my life! It helped me to understand that I must do more to speak out against hate.

I learned facts but not just for the head. It affected my heart and my emotions.

To see an artifact like the rail car, after hearing Survivor’s testimonies all week, brought me to tears - almost to the point to weeping. The enormity of the inhumanity was overwhelming at this point.

We were provided with information that can easily be transported back into the classroom. This has been a gift which touched my heart in a way that no other experience in my life has.

The environment created was very safe and intimate as well as intellectually stimulating. This was the most eye-opening, indescribable, and highly emotional experience.

Everything was well coordinated and organized. The institute surpassed my expectations. 

The institute was filled with hands-on activities. I did not have time to get bored or overwhelmed with information. I want more. Other institutes are just statistics and research-based lectures that are difficult to apply to students.

This was well organized and very informative -  unlike any institute I have ever attended.

The institute was uplifting and hopeful despite the emotional and horrific history that was shared.

This amazing experience has changed my views on my role as a teacher and human being.