Save the Date for 2026 Summer Seminars
Teaching the Holocaust
July 15 and 16
The seminar will cover a wide variety of topics to help teachers understand not just the events of the Holocaust, but the wider context that allowed it to happen. While the sessions will provide teachers with information, resources, and activities that can easily be incorporated into history and social studies classes, it will also demonstrate how this information can be brought into classes on government, civics, and literature as well.
This year’s seminar will feature new speakers along with some familiar faces from previous years. The new additions include a workshop on Women in the Holocaust presented by facilitators from Echoes and Reflections, the education arm of the Yad Vashem - the World Holocaust Remembrance Center and presentations by authors Alex Kors and Jonathan Hammel.
This seminar will take place at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center's Michael Klahr Center on the University of Maine campus in Augusta from 8:30am to 4pm on Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16. This seminar has been developed with educators, administrators, other school staff, and pre-service teachers in mind. Please register only if you are able to attend the seminar in its entirety. Participants can receive twelve continuing education credits upon full completion of the seminar. Registration link
Building Supportive Schools
July 28 and 29
Join other passionate educators committed to creating more inclusive and equitable schools! This two day seminar will equip you with knowledge and tools to challenge bias and inequity in the classroom and create a supportive and learning environment for educators and students alike. Through meaningful discussions with your co-participants, insights from educators and community leaders, and workshops with presenters from around the state of Maine, you’ll gain strategies to foster a safe, more supportive learning environment. Be ready to engage, collaborate, and leave inspired!
This year’s seminar will feature new speakers along with some familiar faces from previous years. The new additions include a presentation by Bangor educator Stephanie Hendrix who will guide educators into understanding equity, investigating how bias impacts conditions of teaching and learning, and exploring ways in which they can improve school so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
I’m Your Neighbor Executive Director Kirsten Cappy will lead a workshop exploring books that have an impact on our understanding of systemic racism and the ramifications of violence and the tenacity of hope across generations.
This seminar takes place at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center's Michael Klahr Center on the University of Maine campus in Augusta from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29. Please register only if you are able to attend the seminar in its entirety.
Designed for educators, administrators, school staff, and pre-service teachers, this seminar prioritizes their registration. Participants can earn 14 continuing education credits upon full completion of the seminar. Registration Link
Participants Feedback from 2025
Teaching the Holocaust
Great seminar and I wish more people would attend. I would love to convince my peers to attend.
It has been immensely valuable to learn, reflect, and discuss aspects of Holocaust history that I hadn't known nearly as well prior to these sessions. I am eager to spread the word to colleagues at my school about the power and usefulness of this experience.
This is integral for all educators
This seminar helped me to develop a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and the history of the Jewish people.
I think it was certainly worth my time. I usually do not enjoy conferences, but I enjoyed this conference and feel I learned a lot from it.
This seminar was invaluable for me as a teacher that is new to the profession. I cannot adequately express how beneficial it has been to build these connections and learn from the folks at the HHRC for my own teaching practice and planning. My students in southern Maine will absolutely benefit in their learning about the Holocaust going forward because of the accessibility of this opportunity.
Building Supportive School
This work was so impactful and inspiring - it was amazing to work with this group of experts and to build on my own knowledge and tools!
The most valuable PD I have had in years and it feels like there is so much more to unpack and explore.
Wonderful training, chock full of information and ideas. I’ve been doing this work in my district for 15 years and I feel refreshed and ready to keep going. That’s so very valuable.
Thank you so much for offering this for free. Economic inequality and the barriers it creates are very real.
This work brings us all together so that we can be our best selves and bring a human education to our students. Without the human element we will not conquer hate.
Donor support allowed me to attend this training. Thank you for making this training accessible and available to all.
Being able to attend this for free made the difference in being a part of this or not. This has been the most impactful training I've ever had as a teacher and I've been teaching for decades. I feel empowered, supported, and hopeful.
Listening to ideas of the variety of people who attend these summer workshops, hearing thoughts of strangers, is so valuable for me. I love the people I work with, but it is constructive to be with a new group of adults. I feel connected to so many of these people as they share their viewpoints.
lots of experts in one place, digestible and action-focused information, a host of resources, and ongoing collaboration opportunities - one of the best professional learning experiences in a long time!
This is a seminar that EVERYONE in education should participate in. It is universal because it meets people where they are in their journey and supportively invites them to take a few more steps, without shaming them for where they currently are.
It was awesome to be in a room full of people who care and who are working on doing good things for our students.
I appreciate this opportunity so much
Seminar was invaluable for folks across the political spectrum
This seminar was invaluable to me as an educator, as I was given new tools and information, but also connection to communities that I did not know existed, and connection to a community that offered support and understanding where I don't always find in my professional community.
This seminar was incredibly moving and educational. I learned so much and was reminded of things I needed to be nudged about.