Maine Holocaust Education Network
Never Again: promoting Holocaust, genocide, and human rights awareness
Maine Teachers Go To USHMM with ME-HHRC Alternative Spring Break 2009
ME-HHRC Alternative Spring Break 2009
Ernie Easter
Teacher, Grades 7 & 8
New Sweden School
New Sweden, ME 04762
Our April, 2009 School Vacation had arrived and I was heading to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center’s Alternative Spring Break. Having already taken part in their Study Tour to Germany and Poland in 2003 I knew what to expect from the ME-HHRC organizer, Jackie Littlefield, and I was ready. I had been through several Holocaust museums in Germany and Poland, but had never been to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. My experience there rivaled that of the museums in Europe. The displays were well done and the multimedia was very engaging.
Over the course of the three days I was able to view all of the exhibits and even redoing ones that I felt I needed to see again. For me, this flexibility was key to maximizing the experience. I especially liked the “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story”, exhibit. Maybe because “Daniel’s Story” is a book I use in class, or maybe as advertised, it is an exhibit aimed for students and I connected to it as a teacher. But for what ever reason it was an exhibit that resonated with me.
We were at the museum during our nation’s annual commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust. The ceremony took place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and was live video streamed back to the USHMM. If I couldn’t be at the Capitol Rotunda, being at the USHMM and watching it on their large screen was inspirational. What a place to sit and hear the remarks of Elie Wiesel and President Obama.
“Never Again: What You Do Matters” was the theme for the 2009 observance. What each of does, whether they be large acts or small does matter. These Study Tours are so important to our students because of what teachers bring back to our units of study. It is in that spirit that attending events such HHRC Alternative Spring Break “matters”.
“Think about what you have seen.” USHMM
Ernie Easter
Teacher, Grades 7 & 8
New Sweden School
New Sweden, ME 04762
Our April, 2009 School Vacation had arrived and I was heading to Washington, D.C. to take part in the Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center’s Alternative Spring Break. Having already taken part in their Study Tour to Germany and Poland in 2003 I knew what to expect from the ME-HHRC organizer, Jackie Littlefield, and I was ready. I had been through several Holocaust museums in Germany and Poland, but had never been to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. My experience there rivaled that of the museums in Europe. The displays were well done and the multimedia was very engaging.
Over the course of the three days I was able to view all of the exhibits and even redoing ones that I felt I needed to see again. For me, this flexibility was key to maximizing the experience. I especially liked the “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story”, exhibit. Maybe because “Daniel’s Story” is a book I use in class, or maybe as advertised, it is an exhibit aimed for students and I connected to it as a teacher. But for what ever reason it was an exhibit that resonated with me.
We were at the museum during our nation’s annual commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust. The ceremony took place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and was live video streamed back to the USHMM. If I couldn’t be at the Capitol Rotunda, being at the USHMM and watching it on their large screen was inspirational. What a place to sit and hear the remarks of Elie Wiesel and President Obama.
“Never Again: What You Do Matters” was the theme for the 2009 observance. What each of does, whether they be large acts or small does matter. These Study Tours are so important to our students because of what teachers bring back to our units of study. It is in that spirit that attending events such HHRC Alternative Spring Break “matters”.
“Think about what you have seen.” USHMM
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Thank you,
Ernie Easter
Thank you,
Ernie Easter
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Thank you to all members for your participation in our Ning and your continued interest in trying to understand the Holocaust and working towards preventing future ones.
© 2009 Created by Ernie Easter
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