Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Summer 2007

Academy Thornton Spotlight Educating about the Holocaust, Human Rights Jackie Tripp Littlefield ’67—a former teacher—understands the time constraints placed on classroom instructors. As education outreach coordinator for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, she helps educators access information about the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany, spreads the word about how intolerance and discrimination can lead to such atrocities, and brings current human rights issues to light. “We have the time to investigate, read and evaluate literature, examine different curriculum ideas and come up with topics for discussion in class,” she says. “We can also bring resources into the classroom, have speakers visit and make connections that teachers may not make on their own.” By promoting the Center’s educational aims, Littlefield helps further its mission to advocate for human rights and dignity, to celebrate diversity, and to teach lessons from the Holocaust about what can happen when human rights are destroyed. Littlefield finds herself engaged in a variety of activities on the job. She distributes documentaries for classroom use as well as guides that lay out how teachers can talk about the Holocaust and the issue of tolerance with students. She goes on trips sponsored Photo by Jennifer Hass by the Center—which allow K-12 and post-secondary level Jackie Tripp Littlefield ‘67 holds up one educators to visit Europe and understand the consequences of the of the teaching guides that she uses “final solution”—and she visits classrooms across Maine to speak to help educators and students learn about what she has seen abroad. about atrocities like the Holocaust and Littlefield also conducts educational workshops, like one this what they teach us about tolerance. summer that provided teachers with information on the implications of the Holocaust in the 21st century and the possibility of integrating the arts into teaching about the event. Students can also get involved with its programs, like a Diversity Leadership event held each year. The Holocaust is a subject that has long fascinated Littlefield, a Saco resident. After teaching for 29 years, including 10 years in Arundel schools, she joined the Center’s staff. And it’s a decision she’s happy that she made seven years ago. “The best thing has probably been the opportunity to meet with and work with [Holocaust] survivors. They are people of such great courage,” she says. With many people in this generation aging, Littlefield adds, giving them a venue to share See Spotlight on page 12 Change Service Requested Thornton Academy 438 Main St. Saco ME 04072-1595 Want recent TA news? Go to www.thorntonacademy.org for weekly features, photo slideshows, email addresses, and more Help TA Be Green Request only one issue of Postscripts per household by calling 282-3361 x245 Postscripts Summer 2007 * Vol. 42, No. 2 Thornton Academy To: NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Brunswick, ME 04011 Permit #65

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