Teaching During Extraordinary Times
As the nation honored resilient educators during Teacher Appreciation Week 2020, Museum experts discussed inspiring educators in history. Watch this digital program 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.
