The Atlantic, Why a Career and Technical High School Has a Genocide-Studies Class, by Emily Richmond

“At a time when the majority of American teens don’t know how many Jews were killed in the Holocaust, Bilton and Stark hope their class can be a launching pad for students to better understand the roots of systemic violence.”

 

The Hechinger Report, A vocational school curriculum that includes genocide studies and British literature, by Emily Richmond

“Historical documents and literary fiction make up the curriculum. First-person accounts, like a recording of Stark’s grandmother describing her wartime experiences and a visit to the school by a Rwandan genocide survivor, help to keep the material on a scale that students can understand, Bilton said.”

 

Salem Evening News, Essex Tech Students get lessons from Rwanda, by Ethan Forman

"Stark and Bilton said the new class is designed to raise awareness for students of the triggers of genocide, making them aware of patterns of persecution or warning signs. The year-long class blends writing and history, and is taught as a class in college might be. Stark said by bringing in speakers like Kaitare who have experienced genocide first hand…the teachers hope to build empathy among the students about human rights and refugees in America."

 

Jewish Journal, Essex North Shore students research Holocaust

"Students of the Genocide Studies classes were passionate about their work. Sarah Young, a senior in the Equine Science program said, “It was awesome to see the projects that we had been working on for so long come to fruition. Our teachers care so much about us as students and how we will take the lessons they give us and use them; this exhibition exemplifies that. The experience I gained from educating people about something so important will be something I take with me for the rest of my life and I hope that the people who came can say the same thing.”