Fellows in Focus – September 2022
Fellows in Focus
Darren Babnew
Where are you from?
I live in Galloway, New Jersey
Where do you teach and what subject do you teach?
I teach at Pleasantville High School, in Pleasantville, New Jersey. I teach Early College Social Studies in the Early College program. I teach Holocaust and Human Behavior, as well as Perspectives of Genocide, which are both Dual Credit classes in conjunction with the Stockton University Holocaust and Genocide High School Dual Credit Consortium.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
I was first introduced to the JFR at a summer seminar through Stockton University’s Sam & Sara Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, learning more about rescuers from Stanlee Stahl. I was then nominated by the Stockton Holocaust Resource Center to attend the JFR Alfred Lerner Fellowship program in 2022.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
I became interested in the JFR after listening to Stanlee Stahl’s lecture on rescuers and the work the JFR does on behalf of rescuers. I have always been involved and interested in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, earning a Minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton. Since then, I have continued to research and learn as much as I can about the Holocaust. After seeing the program agenda and the speakers that would be present, I knew this would be an amazing opportunity to learn and expand my knowledge, which I could then bring to my students.
What was the most compelling thing you learned as an Alfred Lerner Fellow?
The single most compelling thing, among the many, I have learned and taken from the Alfred Lerner Fellowship program is the importance of the connections one has with fellow educators, Museum personnel, and scholars from around the world. With the limited number of dedicated Holocaust teachers in schools, there is not much of a learning community. Making the connections through the Fellowship, you instantly expand your resources and ability to share and compare lessons and strategies with so many others, as well as learning from their experiences.
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
The entire Summer Institute for Teachers was memorable, but if I have to choose, I would narrow it down to three. First was meeting and getting to know educators and scholars, that I would have never met without this program. Second, sitting and discussing various subjects with scholars like Robert Jan von Pelt, Peter Hayes, and Edward Westermann. Third would be the comradery among all the participants of the program. This was by far the most impressive and enjoyable seminar I have attended since I have been teaching.
How do you feel the Lerner fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
Personally, attending the JFR Summer Institute has broadened my perspectives of what I teach and how I teach it. It has most importantly reinforced my thoughts on the importance of teaching about the Holocaust as well as other genocides. Professionally, the JFR has given more depth and breadth to the lessons I bring to my students. Actually seeing how other educators bring these lessons to students has broadened my strategies when teaching. It has also provided me with a community of professionals who share the same passion and desire to teach this difficult subject.
Anything else you’d like to share with the JFR’s followers and supporters?
The JFR Alfred Lerner Fellowship program is not one of those programs you attend, go home, and say “okay, that was interesting” and move on. It is a program and actual fellowship of educators that keeps you engaged and involved, long after the event. Listening to scholars that you would never hear in person any other way, broadens or changes your perspective on books written by them. You get a deeper understanding of what compelled them to write their books or lectures. Sharing teaching techniques and strategies with others while gaining different perspectives is so invaluable. And most of all, joining a community of educators and making new friends that share your passion for teaching the Holocaust.
Amy Frake
Where are you from?
I don’t really feel like I am from anywhere – I was born in West Texas but moved around a lot growing up.
Where do you work and what Holocaust-related work do you do?
I work at Holocaust Museum Houston, where I manage the Educator in Motion program. This program sends museum educators out to school classrooms (in person in the Houston area, virtually everywhere else) to teach lessons on a variety of Holocaust topics. I also help run workshops for educators and write lesson plans.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
My colleagues at the museum have all participated in JFR programs and had wonderful things to say about their experiences. I jumped at the chance to attend the Summer Institute when the museum’s Director of Education suggested I apply.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
I spend so much of my time teaching about some of the worst things humans have done. The JFR provides a way to see the Holocaust from a different perspective – that of the rare but inspiring examples of some of the best things humans can do in the midst of incredible evil.
What was the most compelling thing you learned as an Alfred Lerner Fellow?
I learned so much that was compelling that it is difficult to pick just one thing. Something that still makes me think was a session with Dr. Westermann. He recommended using art to see the Nazis from a Jewish perspective, rather than always seeing Jews from a Nazi perspective, which is what usually happens. This advice really changed my approach to using images in my work.
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
So far I have only been able to participate in JFR programs virtually. I treasure the moments when we managed real moments of camaraderie and intellectual discussion despite the challenges of a Zoom format. A big shoutout to Stanlee for making that possible!
How do you feel the Lerner fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
I have been able to use so much of what I learned to improve the programs that I teach. The fellowship was also a way for me to recommit to what I do and why I do it. After so much time teaching virtually (sometimes with no one willing to turn on their camera and people who communicated only in emojis) I was pretty burned out. After participating in the fellowship, I felt rejuvenated and inspired again.
Anything else you’d like to share with the JFR’s followers and supporters?
Thank you.
