Inspired...

Because of my hiatus from blogging, many events have transpired without record.  I posted yesterday about my Lancaster adventures with Jeffy, and when I read these to him, he was thrilled.  I haven't been blogging about "us" as much as I'd like recently, because our life has reverted to a somewhat mundane existence.  Work, home, work, eat, sleep, repeat.  What a life.  Over the past few weeks, we've made some effort to change this, at least where "we" are concerned, but I still feel like life is somewhat incomplete.  I realized recently that though I have tangible life goals where teaching is concerned, there is need to focus on something to be said about more worldly goals.  I need to divert attention from "me" and "we" (expanding beyond school as well), and focus on something a little (or a lot) bigger than myself.

This has led to some significant soul searching.  There exist many things in this world worthy of attention.  Where would my attentions serve best?  This weekend, I think I found the answers to this question.

I went to the Pennsylvania Holocaust Education Council's state-wide education conference this past weekend, not knowing what the conference would be like (except that I'd probably need at least a box of tissues to make it through).  I came away with the most amazing feeling, which you might not expect from talking about such a terrible world tragedy for two days straight.  I'd like to share some of the things I learned, experienced, and appreciated beyond words with you now.

Meeting wonderful, committed educators...
...I had a wonderful roommate who shared my sentiments about the Holocaust and other tragedies of this sort.  As I fought back tears (unsuccessfully), she did the same.
...The conference sponsors and chairpeople were WONDERFUL, and I cannot say enough about how tirelessly they worked in order to bring us such an amazing learning experience.  They introduced us to authors of Holocaust literature, renowned filmmakers and their films, and talked tirelessly about the importance of Holocaust education.

Finding a way to reach young people...
This year will mark the fourth year I've taught our unit on intolerance (including a large chunk devoted to the Holocaust); I never fail to marvel at the reactions of the students.  They are, for the most part, shocked and appalled by the atrocities of the Holocaust.  They have opportunities to learn the historical aspects of and personal reactions to this time period, but what always reaches them the most is when Hilda Mantelmacher comes to talk to them.  Her story is profoundly heart-breaking; she shares her story of losing her entire family to the brutality and inhumanity of the Nazis and shows a British liberation team's film on the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen camp.  This film's graphic and horrifying nature are left emblazened on most students' faces as they return to the classroom.  This is what they remember...and I believe they block some of it out, too.

I appreciated the varied perspectives and teaching opportunities this conference provided.  Newer films that show the same sentiment and perspective that the Bergen-Belsen liberation film shows, but in a context that may reach students more readily in a new time.  I think that, in the context of Hilda's presentation, the Bergen-Belsen film has definite worth, but I want students to know more than the aftermath of the Holocaust; the death shown does not show who the individuals were, something that I want to impart to my students.  Each victim was a special and unique individual who didn't deserve the fate inflicted upon them.  Each survivor is special and amazing, too.  This conference gave me new breath as I teach students the value of learning about such a terrible time.

The other thing that this conference gave me, in the way of reaching students, is awareness of documentaries that may impact the students I teach in new ways. 

-As Seen Through These Eyes



-I'm Still Here




Encountering a True Sense of Purpose...
...I now have a clear sense of what I must do.  I feel compelled to speak out about the Holocaust and other genocidal acts because no one deserves to be targeted for who they are, the culture they cherish, or the religion they practice.  There are Holocaust survivors who tell their stories now...but what happens when the last of those survivors no longer inhabits the Earth?  I will not idly sit by while I can speak on behalf of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust, and I will continue to do so for as long as I live, because while I live and speak, all who suffered and those who perished will not have died completely in vain.  They will have a voice through me so that tragedies of this magnitude can serve as example of what can and will (and still does) happen if hatred is allowed to proliferate in our world.  I want to expand students' awareness of hatred and genocide, including but not limited to the Holocaust.  I have truly caring students learning in my classroom every day...making students aware of current conflicts and genocidal events, such as those in Darfur, Bosnia, Rwanda, and countless others may get a few of them to take a STAND.