SB 1671 Oklahoma Holocaust Legislation Coalition Teacher Appreciation Holocaust Learning Tour

US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC

July 11-14, 2025

The Mission of the SB 1671 Oklahoma Holocaust Legislation Coalition (SB1671 Coalition) is to:
Fight HATE
Respect DIVERSITY
Protect DEMOCRACY
TEACH these values to future generations through study of the Holocaust.

The Holocaust, the Nazi assault on Jews, was certainly a Jewish tragedy. But it was also an assault on the entire family of man. Deeper understanding of this important fact allows us to be more responsible to each other in standing up to hate! The message of the SB 1671 coalition’s trip to Washington DC, with emphasis on the Holocaust, is to further expand our understanding of others who have suffered man’s inhumanity to man through visits to The National Museum of African American History and Culture and The National Museum of the American Indian.

SB1671 Coalition’s Holocaust educational opportunity for teachers is a comprehensive learning experience centered around a study tour at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Included in the experience is a post-trip discussion session and follow-up activities facilitated by the SB1671 Coalition staff.

The SB1671 Coalition is privileged to offer this subsidized learning and travel experience open to 6-12th grade educators who currently teach the Holocaust. All interested educators who plan to serve Oklahoma schools for at least five additional years are encouraged to apply.

Participation is limited to 8 educators.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday, 15 April 2025

For Questions or comments, please contact:
Nancy Pettus SB1671 Professional Development Consultant
nancy3988@gmail.com, 918-637-9653

    • Friday, July 11: Gather as a group to fly out of Tulsa Int’l Airport early morning (Time TBD). Depart to Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. Arrive in DC. Brunch with group. First Group Tour: Guided Night Tour of National Monuments and Memorials. Meet in Hotel Lobby at 6 pm.

    • Saturday, July 12: Breakfast at Hotel. Second Group Tour: Guided group tour of US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions; group lunch at Museum. After visiting the USHMM, participants will meet with SB1671 Coalition staff to debrief and reflect over dinner how visiting the Museum might enhance your understanding of the Holocaust and your capacity to teach it. Possible visit to Old Town Alexandria after dinner.

    • Sunday, July 13: Breakfast at Hotel. Third Group Tour: The National Museum of African American History and Culture and The National Museum of the American Indian. Return to Alexandria for Dinner.

    • Monday, July 14: Breakfast at Hotel. Group lunch at the Airport. Depart for Tulsa. Arrive in Tulsa in the evening.

  • This educational experience is to help participants form a learning community with other group members. We hope participating teachers will develop reciprocal relationships that extend beyond the trip. Therefore, each person is expected to actively participate in all program activities. Participants’ family members, partners, or friends will not be included in the events planned for the DC experience.

    POST-TRIP: After the DC trip, participants will meet again with SB1671 Coalition’s executive committee to discuss expectations for follow-up activities.

    FOLLOW-UP: During the school year following the USHMM DC trip, participants will complete three activities designed to help them reflect upon and integrate their learning experiences into the classroom. Additionally, we expect participants to provide SB1671 Coalition feedback on the impact of students’ classroom learning in the form of a short questionnaire done online and submitted to the SB1671 Coalition.

  • SB1671 Coalition will pay for airfare, airport parking, meals and lodging. Participants are responsible for souvenirs, gifts and any incidental personal expenses.

  • This trip requires use of the DC Metro system, a small tour bus, and extensive walking.

    It is also an emotionally demanding experience focusing almost exclusively on Holocaust content.

  • Participants will be housed in single-occupancy hotel rooms for the nights of July 11-13, 2025.

    It is expected that those who are selected for the program will utilize these accommodations.

    1. Share your good news with your community! Submit a press release about your DC trip to your local media and school district. DUE DATE: Friday, 8 August 2025

    2. Share your gratitude! Write a thank you email/card to the SB1671 Coalition that includes a reflection on how your DC trip influenced your understanding of the Holocaust and your ability to teach it. DUE DATE: Monday, 26 August 2025

    3. Share what you have learned! Conduct a 20–30-minute presentation (e.g. faculty meeting, professional development, talk for community group) about your DC experience, including such things as: important ideas or skills learned, how the experience has affected your teaching, USHMM as a resource. DUE DATE: Friday, 12 December 2025

    4. Stay involved! Engage as either a presenter or participant at the 2026 Eva K. Unterman Summer Conferences for Holocaust Educators; prepare and present at least one Holocaust educational program for students, educators, or the community during the year after your DC trip. This could involve class presentations to schools within your district or underserved districts near you. DUE DATE: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

““And respect other people even if they are different. Get to know a person as an individual and not as a group that is stereotyped. You’ll be surprised what you have in common.””
— Eva K. Unterman
 

Eva Unterman “Child Holocaust survivor, liberated from Terezin on may 8, 1945 when she was 12 years old.”