{"id":4696,"date":"2008-01-01T15:09:23","date_gmt":"2008-01-01T15:09:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alst.org\/?p=4696"},"modified":"2024-03-12T06:29:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T06:29:36","slug":"education-educator-comments-2007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/education\/educators-voices\/education-educator-comments-2007\/","title":{"rendered":"Educator comments 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4696\" class=\"elementor elementor-4696\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5da6597 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5da6597\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-582a935\" data-id=\"582a935\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-902ff92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"902ff92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1511\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1511\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">October 3, 2007: Holocaust Studies Program Planner, The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1511\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1511\"><p>Dear Mr. &amp; Mrs. Liebster:<\/p><p>I want to thank you and your foundation for creating the Who Am I? exhibit. As it travels through our district from school to school, I\u2019m getting only positive feedback about it.<\/p><p>Evaluations all came back excellent in terms of telling the story of young Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses during the Holocaust. The panels are compelling and interesting, and the presentation is in a clear and concise manner. Not only is it very appropriate for public schools, but it promotes fascinating follow-up discussion.<\/p><p>Here are two of our student comments :<\/p><ul type=\"disc\"><li class=\"grassepia\">\u201cThis presentation was a more personal account of some of the victims in the Holocaust. It really hits you hard when you see the pictures of these innocent people and read their stories.\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><ul type=\"disc\"><li class=\"grassepia\">\u201cDisplaying this presentation is crucial in teaching tolerance and understanding.\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Thank you for allowing us to have this in our school district.<\/p><p>Sincerely,<br \/><span class=\"gras\">Eileen Shapiro<\/span>, Program Planner<br \/>Holocaust Studies\u00a0<br \/>The School District of Palm Beach County<br \/>Department of Multicultural Education<br \/>3388 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite A-204<br \/>West Palm Beach, FL 33406<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1512\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1512\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">July 14, 2007: English Teacher, A.C. Reynolds Middle School, Asheville, North Carolina<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1512\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1512\"><h3>Kendra Cameron-Jarvis, Asheville, North Carolina<\/h3><p>As a middle school teacher, I think it is vitally important that we teach our students about standing up for their beliefs and heeding the call to help others.\u00a0 I teach in an ethnically divided school that serves children from all over the world.\u00a0 Many of these students are different races, speak different languages, and believe different truths.\u00a0 However, the Holocaust is a bridge that connects all of these differences.\u00a0 We can all, no matter our background, empathize with injustice \u2026 and that is what the Holocaust webcam interview led by Diana Zientek did for my students.\u00a0 This interview is a common experience that my students all share and can all connect with and we can use this as a starting point for discussions on injustice and intolerance in our school and community and what we can do to change it. It was incredible to see the enthusiasm my students exuded about actually meeting Simone and Max and even more remarkable was the effect Max and Simone\u2019s words had on my students.\u00a0 My students left school that day more tolerant of their fellow classmates and more open to other\u2019s ideas, but most importantly, they left with a feeling of pride and courage, that they too, could stand firm in the face of their \u2018lions\u2019 and come out better for it.<\/p><p>I prepared my students for the interview with the help of Diana Zientek, a Holocaust consultant specializing in the Nazi persecution of Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses. Diana met with me many times before the day of the interview.\u00a0 She presented a multimedia lecture that included excerpts from Simone\u2019s book,\u00a0\u00a0Facing the Lion, interviews with Simone, historical background on the Holocaust, and even a replica of a Jehovah Witness\u2019s camp uniform!\u00a0 Before the interview my students wrote questions that were emailed to Simone and Max. The entire process was well organized and straightforward.\u00a0 Because of all the preparation, I felt my students had a good knowledge base when the day of the interview arrived.\u00a0 I highly recommend this experience to any educator that wants to impact their students, school, and community!<\/p><p>Kendra Cameron-Jarvis<br \/>8th grade English Teacher<br \/>A.C. Reynolds Middle School<br \/>Asheville, North Carolina<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1513\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1513\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">June 9, 2007: Social Studies Department Chair, Palmetto High School, Palmetto, Florida<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1513\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1513\"><h3>Eric Silenzi, Palmetto, Florida<\/h3><p>I am writing this letter in regards to the video conference that my Holocaust Studies students recently participated in. Over the years I have had numerous survivors visit my classroom, but this was something new, something different-so you can imagine how excited I was!<\/p><p>When I told my students about a video conference with Max and Simone Liebster, I immediately had their attention. When they discovered that Max and Simone lived in France and that we would be broadcasting from our school in real time they were instantly hooked.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s wonderful having a pool of local Holocaust survivors who can come to my classroom and speak to my students, but what about those who can&#8217;t? How does one who has so much to contribute yet lives so far away share their valuable lessons? The answer: video conferencing!<\/p><p>The benefits of video conferencing are obvious: it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for my students and me. Video conferencing is a tool that enables teachers to bring the outside world into their classroom. My students and I are still thrilled about our video conference with Max and Simone and I look forward to the future use of video conferencing within my curriculum.<\/p><p>Just imagine-anyone, anywhere, anytime! It&#8217;s a whole new area of education that should and needs to be utilized.<\/p><p>Sincerely,<br \/>Mr. Eric Silenzi<br \/>Dept. Chair<br \/>Social Studies Palmetto High School<br \/>1200 17th\u00a0Street West<br \/>Palmetto, FL 34221<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1514\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1514\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">May 2, 2007: English Teacher, Thomas Jefferson High, Richmond, Virginia<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1514\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1514\"><h3>Cynthia Robinson, Richmond, Virginia<\/h3><p>To whom it may concern,<\/p><p>This letter is to acknowledge the outstanding presentations that were made to my ninth and tenth grade English classes by Gray Miyashiro.\u00a0 In November 2006, Ms. Miyahshiro, gave four Holocaust presentations that prompted the students to think about what it meant to be a victim in the Holocaust.\u00a0 Her powerpoint presentation entitled \u201cChoices\u201d spoke about how two young individuals lived during that tough time period and how they had to live with the choices they made later in life.\u00a0 My students were able to write letters to one of the \u201cyoung individuals,\u201d Simone Liebster, a Nazi survivor.\u00a0 Simone\u2019s story was told to the class as an example of a young person making the difficult decision to follow her conscience rather than to conform to a social injustice.<\/p><p>Later in March, 2007, Ms. Miyashiro returned to the classes and showed a video entitled \u201c<em>Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses Stand Firm Against Nazi Assault.<\/em>\u201d This presentation discussed the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses\u2019 struggle during the Holocaust and how their story was unique.\u00a0 Where many of the victims did not have a choice in being persecuted, the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses were given a \u201cway out.\u201d\u00a0 But rather than signing a document that dismisses their faith and principles, they chose to follow their conscience and to not conform.\u00a0 Students engaged in discussion and group activities that required them to examine authentic historical data and to solve problems as a team.<\/p><p>The presentations were insightful and meaningful.\u00a0 The presentations and activities had a lasting impact on the students\u2019 perspective of the Holocaust as one of history\u2019s darkest chapters.\u00a0 I learned quite a bit, and was inspired myself.\u00a0 I would recommend Ms. Miyashiro and the presentations to any teacher interested in teaching about the Holocaust, as well as the basic human principle of letting your conscience be your guide.<\/p><p>Cynthia Robinson<br \/>9th and 10th grade English Teacher<br \/>Thomas Jefferson High<br \/>4100 West Grace Street<br \/>Richmond, Virginia 23225<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1515\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1515\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">March 14, 2007: Social Studies Teacher, Prairie High School, College Community Schools, Cedar Rapids, Iowa<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1515\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1515\"><h3>Kent Noska, Cedar Rapids, Iowa<\/h3><p>I would like to express my appreciation for the presentation of Greg and Sandra Milakovich regarding the struggles of Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses during World War II. The information they shared was strictly educational and very beneficial to our U.S. History students. The Milakovich&#8217;s rich knowledge, plentiful resources, unique perspective and various accounts from survivors made their presentation engaging for all. Inviting Greg and Sandra into our classroom was rewarding for the students and convinced me that this is an opportunity I will provide for future classes. It is my recommendation that you include this presentation in your curriculum. Their message of standing firm in the face of tremendous opposition is one that all students will benefit from.<\/p><p>Sincerely,<br \/>Kent Noska<br \/>Prairie High School<br \/>College Community Schools<br \/>Cedar Rapids, Iowa<br \/><a href=\"mailto:knoska@prairiepride.org\">knoska@prairiepride.org<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>October 3, 2007: Holocaust Studies Program Planner, The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Dear Mr. &amp; Mrs. Liebster: I want to thank you and your foundation for creating the Who Am I? exhibit. As it travels through our district from school to school, I\u2019m getting only positive feedback about it. Evaluations all came [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-educators-voices"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4696"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5203,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4696\/revisions\/5203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alst.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}