Deep South Teachers Give Southern Institute High Marks For Tolerance Education Workshops
In 2001, the Southern Institute gave 12 workshops and 39 presentations to teachers in the Deep South. Collectively these teachers reach 42,750 students in their classrooms every day. Here are the highlights from the evaluations by teachers attending these workshops.
"This is probably the best workshop experience I have ever had."
Patrick E. McGinty E. D. White Catholic High School Thibodaux, La.
"In almost ten years of attending educational workshops, this has been the most worthwhile. The amount of information, along with quality of the information, was excellent. The materials provide many teachable moments for students . . . The firsthand accounts were incredibly moving. Every teacher and student should be given the chance to experience this incredible workshop."
Shawn Drucker Oak Grove Middle School Hattiesburg, Miss.
"This workshop caused me to weigh my own conscience and concern about societal injustices. I can"t do anything now about the lives lost in the Holocaust, but it causes me to wonder what role I can " and must " play in an effort to help oppressed people today."
Sharon Rue Carencro Middle School Sunset, La.
"The workshop served as an excellent instrument to teach multi-cultural differences and to have students understand these differences and their histories before making judgements about others."
Juanita W. Rambo Carroll High School Monroe, La.
"This seminar was one of the best I"ve ever attended. It was very well organized and presented. The speakers were wonderful. The number of primary sources was impressive. A seminar like this would be great to have within the high school settings in the parish."
Ray M. Barrios Lafourche Parish Schools Cut Off, La
"This was a fabulous presentation. I have studied history from the era discussed, and I have learned so much more that I will reiterate to my students."
Dwayne Adams Terrebone Parish Schools Houma, La.
"The workshop "Deathly Silence" was outstanding, impressive, unforgettable. The themes of tolerance and ordinary people in an extraordinary time and circumstances touches the depths of my soul as an educator."
Helen Tabor Lafourche Parish Schools Schreiver, La.
"This workshop illustrated and reminded me in a most poignant and heartfelt manner of how easy it is to reflect an "it"s-none-of-my-business" attitude that still continues to live regardless of race, creed, or gender. Mr. Robinson"s passion and knowledge of the subject matter were most instructional."
Ann R. Bohannon Woodlawn High School Birmingham, Ala.
"I have been moved, horrified, saddened, angered " it has been a very emotional and profound experience."
Lee Ann Rasmussen Miss. Gulf Coast Community College Ocean Springs, Miss.
"If more of us are reached in this manner, perhaps there is a chance for humanity."
Helen Haw Donaldsonville High School Gonzales, La.
"Never have I attended a workshop that made me feel the pain and joys of that time"I will definitely use the information in my class."
Michelle Plaisance Houma Junior High Houma, La.
"The quality and the organization of the workshop were outstanding"Thank you for inviting me to this rewarding experience."
Betty B. Wynne Ellis C. A. Weiss Pensacola, Fla.
"I found this to be extremely informative and helpful for my incoming class. Can"t wait for the next one!"
Marla Dahlenburg Temple Ahavath Chesad, T.I.R. Jacksonville, Fla.
"The depth of the material, the organization of the material, and the passion of our presenter were excellent! Thank you for coming to Birmingham."
Cherri K. Henderson Woodlawn High School Birmingham, Ala.
"I am very impressed with the wonderful quality and the tremendous usefulness of this workshop. The related materials have passed an endless avenue for learning. I will use this extensive knowledge in my classroom for the rest of my teaching career."
Milisa Lansdale Florence Middle School Pearl, Miss.
"This was my first workshop on the Holocaust, and I, indeed, learned a wonderful life lesson."
Joyce Dixon Miss. Department of Archives & History Jackson, Miss.
"This workshop has been an incredible, memorable and unforgettable experience. Plater"s expert instructional skills, wonderfully crafted materials and breathtaking survivors" testimonies will have a major impact on any human being who has the opportunity to participate."
James Wittenberg L. W. Higgins High School Marrero, La.
"The quality of the workshop was outstanding and one of the most enlightening experiences I"ve ever had."
Susan Jones Daphne High School Fairhope, Ala.
"Any teacher who teaches the Holocaust should attend this workshop."
Carron Fillingim Southeastern La. University Hammond, La.
"The workshop provided me with much greater insight into the events of the Holocaust than any high school or college textbook could ever provide"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to learn. Hearing the memories of the survivors provided me with memories that I will never forget."
Lorine Stanley Gulfport High School Gulfport, Miss.
"I never dreamed that people other than black race had been treated so cruelly. The workshop was so powerful it drew you into the situation. I feel like I was there, feeling all the pain"I will share what I"ve learned with my race."
Lottie M. Guidry Paul Breaux Middle School Lafayette, La.
"The combination of expert instruction, teaching materials and invaluable survivor testimony made this workshop an unforgettable experience."
Lisa Boudreaux Terrebonne High School Houma, La.
"The stories told by the survivors add so much dimension to teaching the Holocaust. Plater"s knowledge is superior as are his organizational skills in conducting workshops."
Patty Paris Theodore High School, Mobile County Schools Mobile, Ala.
"I will never forget this workshop. I wish these stories will never be forgotten. It is my hope that workshops like these will be continued so that students will know the horrors of the Holocaust and the evils of human nature."
Winnifred Anderson-Magee Alcee Fortier High School New Orleans, La.
"This was an incredible experience"I feel better prepared to teach my students. It has also motivated me to continue my research on the Holocaust."
Nancy Smith Terrebone High School Schreiver, La.
"Thank you so very much for your insightful gift. I always enjoy a format where there is multimedia presentation followed by an interactive session".I can"t wait to participate in your next presentation."
Karen E. Corcoran Escambia High School Pensacola, Fla.