Workshop for Educators - Creating Brave Spaces: Discussing Difficult Histories with Sensitivity and Impact

Teaching about the Holocaust and genocide requires more than just delivering historical facts—it demands both bravery and careful attention to how students emotionally process difficult topics. This free workshop for educators explores how to foster a classroom environment where students feel safe engaging with complex, often traumatic histories while also being challenged to think critically and ethically.

Specifically, the workshop will cover how choice-driven and project-based learning can be effectively used to meet the needs of students with varying learning styles and abilities. By incorporating flexibility in how students engage with complex material, educators can help students access and process emotionally challenging content in a way that is meaningful and empowering. Educators will also explore how to balance the delivery of difficult histories with strategies to support the emotional wellness of both themselves and their students by creating intentional spaces for reflection. This approach fosters a learning environment where students and staff alike can critically engage with the past while also being given the tools to navigate the future with bravery.

Outcomes:

Through discussion, interactive strategies, and real-world examples, participants will learn how to:

• Use emotional check-ins, reflective journaling, and storytelling to help students process sensitive material.
• Balance historical accuracy with emotional sensitivity, ensuring that students grasp the gravity of events without feeling overwhelmed or disengaged.
• Navigate difficult student reactions, including discomfort, apathy, or resistance to challenging topics.
• Facilitate discussions and projects that encourage critical thinking and ethical reflection without retraumatizing students or simplifying the complexity of genocide.
• Provide students with both educational and emotional toolkits to empower them in their learning, helping them feel capable rather than overwhelmed or discouraged when engaging with topics related to genocide prevention.

By the end of the workshop, educators will walk away with concrete strategies for making their classrooms "brave spaces"—where students can lean into difficult conversations with support, confidence, and a deepened sense of responsibility.

This workshop will be facilitated by Katie Littlefield (Pinkerton Academy) and Kaitlyn Wilson (Alvern High School).

Additional Information:

This workshop will take place fully in-person on campus at Keene State. Breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials are provided to participants at no cost. Workshop attendees will receive a certificate of completion listing the number of professional development hours completed.

Registration:

There is no cost to attend this workshop; however, space is limited and advanced registration is required. The last day to register for this workshop (if spaces still remain) is Thursday, October 9, 2025. To learn more and register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/262amvpf

This event is part of the Cohen Center calendar.