Western States Workshop for Educators (opportunity)

Dear Educators,

I work in National Outreach for Teacher Initiatives (NOTI) at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, and would like to share information with you about one of our programs for educators.  Please share this information with educators who qualify, to apply for this program. 

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, promote human dignity, and prevent genocide.  The Museum provides a powerful lesson in the fragility of freedom, the myth of progress, and the need for vigilance in preserving democratic values. With unique power and authenticity, the Museum teaches millions of people each year about the dangers of unchecked hatred and the need to prevent genocide.

 A cornerstone of our work is to ensure quality Holocaust education in American schools.  We encourage teachers to engage their students in learning about the Holocaust, to reflect on its meaning today, and to act responsibly as members of the global community.  It is important to us to reach out teachers, and their students, who represent the landscape of American citizens.  .  In an effort to extend our outreach to nurture new audiences, I invite you to share the following information with teachers who work in school districts with significant American Indian student populations. 

The Western States Workshop for Educators will bring up to twenty teachers from western states to the USHMM on March 3-5, 2011.  Social Studies and Language Arts teachers of grades 6-12 are encouraged to apply.  In addition, teachers of other disciplines such as journalism and library and media specialists should consider applying. 

 Educators from suburban and rural schools from these states are eligible:  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. 

Teachers will use the Museum’s Permanent Exhibition, the exhibit State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, and the interactive installation From Memory to Action:  Meeting the Challenge of Genocide, as their primary classroom as they learn the history of this tragic event.  Museum staff and scholars will assist participants in exploring questions or rationale, content, and methodology in teaching the Holocaust.

Attendees will receive a generous stipend at the conclusion of the conference to assist with the costs of transportation.  The Museum will provide breakfast, lunch, and lodging for three nights.  Extensive free materials and lessons will also be distributed.  This workshop is for educators who have not previously attended a USHMM-sponsored teacher professional development program at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, such as the Belfer National Conference. 

To apply, please go to http://www.ushmm.org/education/foreducators/prodev/currentapplications/.  Please see the workshop offering titled “Teacher Workshop for Western States Educators.”  Applicants should also submit a letter of reference from a school supervisor.  This letter should describe your qualifications and verify your eligibility.  The deadline for applying is January 31, 2011.  Please submit this in any format to:

Christina E. Chavarría
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, DC  20024
FAX:  202.314.7888
CChavarria@ushmm.org