AUSTIN, Texas—Holocaust Museum Houston has named eight University of Texas at Austin future teachers as Warren Fellows. The fellowship was created by the museum, with funding from Holocaust survivor Naomi Warren, to help future elementary and secondary education teachers sensitively and effectively bring Holocaust education into the classroom.
The weeklong program at the museum, which begins on May 22, immerses students in World War II and Holocaust history through field trips, lectures by international World War II experts, conversations with Holocaust survivors and discussions about Holocaust-themed art and photography.
Presenters include Dr. Benjamin Ferencz, who at age 27 was chief prosecutor at one of the Nuremberg war criminal trials and convicted 22 Nazi leaders of murdering more than a million people, as well as Dr. Bryan Mark Rigg, author of “Rescued from the Reich: How One of Hitler’s Soldiers Saved the Lubavitcher Rebbe.”
University of Texas at Austin College of Education faculty members and social studies education experts Dr. Mary Lee Webeck and Dr. Sherry Field also will be offering classes.
This year, for the first time, professors from three universities in the People’s Republic of China will be attending the event in order to study and potentially develop a similar Holocaust education and fellows program in China. According to museum officials, this visit marks the first time educators from China have traveled to the U.S., as an organized group to study techniques for teaching Holocaust history to Chinese youth.
Warren Fellows from The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education are:
- Laura Davis (Houston)
- Julia Englund (Austin, Texas)
- Demare Flynn (Austin, Texas)
- Carol Franklin (Austin, Texas)
- Amy Larcade (Beaumont, Texas)
- Matthew Payne (Austin, Texas)
- Muquita S. Rodriguez (Austin, Texas)
- Brenda Townsend (Del Valle, Texas)
There were 21 Fellows chosen from Texas colleges, as well as six from Syracuse University in New York. Candidates were selected based on an application process that included an essay about the importance of teaching tolerance and equity in elementary and secondary school classrooms.
To learn more about Holocaust Museum Houston and the Warren Fellowship, visit the Holocaust Museum Houston online. To read about Webeck’s “Light: The Holocaust and Humanity Project” go to the feature story: What Good Comes of Suffering?: Fellowship for future teachers sparks community crusade against intolerance.
For more information contact: Dr. Mary Lee Webeck, 512-232-3496.
