Workshop aids educators in learning skills for teaching sensitive topics

Callie Stone | WPSD Local 6

PADUCAH — Learning about the Holocaust and other sensitive topics can be difficult for students, resulting in behaviors such as zoning out or making jokes during lectures to lighten the mood. A group of educators met together Saturday to discuss ways to maintain student wellbeing while helping them learn about hard subjects. 

Those who attended discussed topics such as: why it is important to cover the Holocaust, the benefits to using precise language, creating rationale statements, pairing texts, among others — all of this as part of the University of Kentucky’s and the Jewish Heritage Foundation’s Holocaust Education Initiative.

Chanel Schwenck, a professor at Murray State University, said more knowledge helps teachers to do their job more efficiently. She said having discussions about difficult topics can take a toll on students, so it’s important to check on them. 

“The sensitivity with trauma and trying to gauge their comfort level with the material and how far to go too far versus not far enough,” said Schwenck.

Crystal Culp spoke at the event and is a teacher in McCracken County. She said she hopes teachers can take what they learn from the workshop and help students to connect with difficult material while making sure not to overwhelm them.

“We don’t wanna traumatize them but we do want them to realize that this happened to people and to be to start to build that empathy within them,” said Culp. 

Ashley Underhill is a 6th Grade Language Arts teacher in Calloway County. She said teaching tough subjects may be daunting, but it’s worth it. 

“[the Holocaust is] a touchy subject and I just implore teachers not to just automatically assume that it can’t be taught. There’s ways of teaching it. There’s ways of engaging students without scaring them,” said Underhill.

Michael Koebbe is a teacher in Murray, and said parents can help when learning about sensitive topics. “Using credible sources and having internet and they… can both learn more about it,” said Koebbe. Underhill said learning new strategies and improving lessons helps teachers too.

“Just sometimes we as teachers will get into ruts and it’s always good to add to what you do well,” said Underhill.

If you’re a teacher and would like to register for an upcoming workshop, click here.