Dr. Norman M. Wall Teachers’ Institute

Dr. Norman M. Wall Teacher’s Institute on Holocaust Education 2020

Teachers of all grade levels and subjects are invited to participate in the first ever online Summer Teachers’ Institute on Holocaust Education through the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida.  Utilizing a combination of live virtual events and asynchronous learning experiences, teachers will grow their understanding of the complexities of the Holocaust while honing their skills in the best practices for appropriately and effectively incorporating Holocaust education into their classes.  Sessions will be facilitated by local professors, Holocaust Survivors, and the Holocaust Center’s Resource Teacher, with a special guest presentation by world renowned Holocaust scholar, Michael Berenbaum.

Pre-registration is required.  The first 35 Florida teachers to register and complete all Institute sessions/deliverables will receive a $250 stipend along with a selection of Holocaust related books. 

Why attend?

• Learn about recent changes that have been made to the state mandate on Holocaust education and how to fulfill the requirements.
• Earn up to 20 hours of continuing education, all from the comfort of your home.
• Build a network of teachers all looking to support one another in their goals to implement Holocaust education in their classrooms.
• Stipends and Holocaust related books are available to the first 30 teachers to register and complete all Institute sessions/deliverables.

Online Format

Great care has been taken to balance the need for strong content and meaningful interaction, with recognizing that “Zoom fatigue” is a real thing.  As you will see below, on days that have live virtual sessions, a significant midday break has been scheduled to give you time to stretch, decompress, process, or tend to any personal needs you may have.  In between each of these days, asynchronous learning activities will be assigned to complete on your own timeline throughout the day.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – Live virtual sessions will be held via Zoom from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.  There will be opportunity for activity and interaction throughout each of the programs.

Tuesday and Thursday – On these days, pre-recorded sessions, films, readings, or activities will be assigned to be completed at any point throughout the day.  You will not need to login at a specified time for any live sessions.

List of Presenters

Presented by the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach: Dr. Michael Berenbaum – Holocaust Author, Scholar, and Professor

Topic:  The Holocaust Survivor Experience – Liberation and Return to Life

Paul Chapman – Professor of Humanities, Valencia College

Topic: Possibilities and Perils of Institutional Resistance w/Case Study on the Church Struggle in Nazi Germany

Mitch Bloomer – Holocaust Resource Teacher

Topics: Europe, the Jews, and Anti-Judaism up to the Nazi Era

The Holocaust Era Prior to World War II

The Holocaust Era During World War II

Greg Dawson – Author and Journalist

Topic:  Hiding in the Spotlight

Harry Lowenstein – Central Florida Community Member and Holocaust Survivor

Topic: Holocaust Survivor Testimony and Q&A

Sonja Marchesano – Central Florida Community Member and Holocaust Survivor

Topic: Holocaust Survivor Testimony and Q&A

Dr. Richards Plavnieks – Assistant Professor of History, Florida Southern College

Topic: The Holocaust in Eastern Europe

Stephen Poyner – OCPS Teacher

Topic: Using Technology, Activities, and Other Resources to Engage Students in Holocaust Education

Stanton Reed – Professor of Business and Accounting, Valencia College, and Peace and Justice Institute Facilitator

Topic: Responding to Challenges of Prejudice, Racism, Identity, etc. in the Classroom

Dr. Shane Stufflet – Adjunct Professor of History, UCF

Topic: Nazi Persecution of Non-Jews w/Case Study of the T-4 Program

Without the support of our sponsors, this institute would not be possible. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank Dr. Norman M. Wall.

Dr. Wall was a prominent physician and educator who lived in the Orlando area. He was a devoted supporter of the Holocaust Center. With appreciation to his wife, Faye Wall, for her generosity and the Wall family in commemoration of  their beloved father and grandfather.