Doreen Rappaport - Beyond Courage

Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport is an amazing new book published by Candlewick Press.  I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Rappaport in November and received copy of her book.  The few minutes I spent with her as she signed my book is engrained in my memory, she speaks with the same passion.
     This book is powerful and poignant.  These words written by Franta Bass, age eleven (find the remainder of her words on page one and page 196), provide a glimpse into the content of the text:

I am a Jew and will be Jew forever, 

Even if I should die from hunger, 

never will I submit.

I will always fight for my people, 

on my honor...

     Doreen Rappaport shares the courage of the people who, during the war, rallied to stand up to the Nazi regime and face it with courage.  In her book, we learn about thousands of Jewish lives that were saved by the ingenuity, conviction, and tenacity of those who were willing to risk their lives to save others... smuggling children to safety, forging identifications and paperwork, creating secret ways to ensure freedom and hope for those whose lives were changed forever.  In this book, Ms. Rappaport takes on a tough subject and shares stories of survival that would otherwise be lost had she not had the courage to research and write this book.  And, while she states, "the scope and extent of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust cannot possibly be contained in one book," this book is an amazing resource and should find its way into every classroom.  Thankfully, she plans to continue to explore this topic on her website, Doreenrappaport.com.
     The power of Ms. Rappaport's words and voice made me understand more clearly the tragedy of this time in our world's history.  A perfect addition to any text set about the Holocaust and its impact on humanity.  The photographs and personal accounts shared in this book provide richness and draw us closer to the lives of those who risked everything to save the lives of others.  Ms. Rappaport has written about defiance... about standing up against oppression.  It must have been so daunting for people like George Loinger, Marianne Cohn, Mordechai Anielewizc, and all those whose story she tells to fight for the survival of others.  This book chronicles a harrowing time in our history eloquently, purposefully, and with the same passion that we find in all Ms. Rappaport's writing... every teacher and student should read it.
     The power of story... of sharing story... of remembering story, that's what Beyond Courage does for us.  As long as we have people like Doreen Rappaport, we can never forget!  Powerful.  Beautifully written.  Unforgettable.

A letter found in my files

A few weeks ago, I was looking through a few of my files and ran across another brilliant piece of writing by my friend Lois.  

I've blogged about her before... she was a mentor, friend, and fellow teacher for many years.  Lois died on June 23, 2008 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.  I wrote about her strength and endurance in Conferring:  The Keystone of Reader's Workshop.  And, not a day goes by that I don't think of my teaching days with Lois, Judy, and Randi (under the incomparable leadership of Laura)... those were the days... thinkers and learners, together!  We mentored one another and asked big questions and children were always at the heart of our work and conversations and inquiry into "What can we do next?"  I yearn for the professional discourse we shared... "all for one and one for all!"

Lois had a masters degree in Gifted Education and an amazing knack of meeting the needs of all children--those who were "dormant" and those who were "highly-abled."  She looked at children as individuals (including her own three children).  She was always reflecting on her teaching.  She was always reflecting on the needs of her students.  She was a writer, artist, mathematician... a teacher's teacher... and constantly honed her craft.  Yet, she was one of the most humble and nonjudgmental people I've ever met... she was shy, until it was time to stand up for a child.  She was not afraid to take a stand.  I admired her courage.

In 1999, she wrote a letter to our "Student Support Team" (at that time part of the pre-referral process) after referring a child for "support" and she shared a copy with me.  In kind, I thought I'd share it with you.  Why?  I find it apropos.  I think it speaks to our need to support the learners in our care.  I find it thought provoking.  I think it's intriguing.  I think Lois was a thinker before her time.  

I'm using this letter as a bookmark in my current professional read.  I've read this letter at least ten times in the last few weeks.  Like Donald Graves, Lois was a teacher whose work will always remain current... the words of great thinkers continue to inspire me.  Please enjoy her words, they speak for themselves!

I think Lois wouldn't mind my sharing it (I removed names and pronouns to make it generic):

January 31, 1999

Dear Members of the Student Support Team:

Even though many of the members are my close friends and respected colleagues, I have found taking a student to this committee a frustrating experience.  In my opinion, issues of timeliness, purpose and respect are important for us all to examine. 

First of all, dealing with this committee has caused extreme delays in getting help for my students.  I submitted three names to the committee two months ago.  You just got around to the first of my students this week.  Now we have another six weeks of "interventions" before the follow up meeting on March 11.  In my opinion, twelve weeks of delay is unacceptable and unnecessary.  Who knows when you plan to begin my other two students?

Secondly, the purpose of my referral was misunderstood.  The student I referred is not failing.  ___ is not failing because of the many interventions (which apparently you do not count as interventions) put in place my myself, by specials teachers, by previous teachers, and by very concerned and conscientious parents.  My point, as stated on the pre-referral form, was that all these interventions should not be necessary for a student who appears to be competent in many ways.  I believe there is something wrong with ___ processing of information and am concerned that the middle school staff will not be as diligent as we have been.  This ___ with so much potential is in danger of getting lost in the system and may give up.  More interventions, while welcome in many situations, were not appropriate in this case. 

Finally, there is the issue of respect.  Brainstorming, in front of parents, such solutions as preferential seating and presentation of directions auditorally and visually was insulting and demeaning to me as a classroom teacher.  If this is necessary for some teachers, parents do not need to be present to hear it. 

In conclusion, the present system for S.S.T. is cumbersome, ineffective and insulting.  Please withdraw the names of my other two students, ___ and ___ from future consideration.  I will find other ways to deal with their problems.  With all the criticism of public education today, we do not need to do this to each other. 

Sincerely, 

Lois

Words With Friends ala Dublin

Look closely... what do you see?  I see a representation of the Dublin Reading Conference this past Saturday in Dublin, Ohio.  For those in attendance, you'll understand the connection... that each of us is only a small piece of the larger whole.  That when educators come together to learn, to laugh, to share... amazing things happen!  It was such a pleasure to spend a day with everyone involved in the conference.
   Since "Words with Friends" seemed to be a topic of conversation at dinner on Saturday, I thought I'd share some of the "words" and names I've been contemplating since I left...
     MNA - not to be confused with men.  The Irish must really get confused when they have to use the restroom in America.
    Pinkney - illustrator extraordinare.  Hats off to Brain's grace, creativity, humor... and sincere love of his art.  And for nudging us to explore the rhythm of his craft.  I wish we could say to our students, "I want you to just play..." as his parents said to him.
   Buckeye - not only an important moniker for many Ohioans, but also a delicious treat to leave in a gift bag at the hotel desk for a speaker - when chilled and accompanied by a cup of coffee, delicious!
   Comraudarie - amazing collaborations between learners.  I learned so much just by being in amazing company.
   Friendships - new and old!
   Readicide - Kelly Gallager is so thoughtful.  His words, "The only way for struggling readers and writers to survive is to do twice as much reading and writing..." stuck with me.  
   Word Poverty - Another of Kelly's nudges... to build the background knowledge and experience of all readers at the word level.
   Jr. Library Guild - $5.00 hardbacks.  No other words needed.
   Committee - Laura and her entire team - amazingly organized, thoughtfully planned, and extraordinarily gracious. 
   BalletMet - lest we forget that the gifts children share come in all forms.  How can we better nurture creativity?
   Oscar's - Saturday at Oscar's and Sunday with the Oscars.  Saturday was better!
   Chauffeur - Thanks Lisa (double-sided tape, Starbucks, brush... enough said).
   Allison and Miles - Never a better introduction!  Such darling children who will remember introducing the speaker when they were in fourth grade.
   Featured Speakers - Kelly, Troy, Christian, Loren, Wendy, Brian, Amy... such grand company.
   And the rest - An amazing list of "locals" to complete the program - Bill, Karen, Franki, Karen, Mary Lee, Scott, Julie, Tony, Max... and the rest.  What amazing gifts to share with your own colleagues
    Look closely... what do you see?  Too many words to mention.  Too many people to thank.  Like a field of clover the day was a mixture of color and richness!  Thanks for the invitation, Dublin!