Teacher and rescuer Jeanne Daman poses with Jewish children under her care in a Belgian kindergarten, circa 1942. US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Jeanne Daman Scaglione
As the nation honors today’s resilient educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, we invite you to learn about inspiring educators in history. Join Museum experts to discover teachers and students who resisted Nazi policies and some who went the extra mile to protect and even rescue Jews.
When the Nazis rose to power in the 1930s, the German government restricted the rights of Jewish students and teachers. Antisemitism gradually became integrated into the curriculum, and many students and teachers turned against their Jewish peers. As time went on, Jewish educators began losing their positions at schools and universities, and by 1938, Jewish students were expelled from the country’s public schools.
However, amidst the hatred and discrimination, a few courageous teachers—including Belgian teacher turned rescuer Jeanne Daman— risked their lives and bold students stood by their Jewish classmates.
Speaker
Kim Blevins-Relleva, Teacher Educator, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Moderator
Dr. Edna Friedberg, Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Watch live at facebook.com/holocaustmuseum and join in the conversation using #USHMM and #AskWhy. You do not need a Facebook account to view our program. After the live broadcast, the recording will be available to watch on demand on the Museum's Facebook page.