Holocaust Denial in the Classroom: What Teachers Can Do

Shawn Foster

Teaching about the Holocaust is required in the educational standards of 37 states. But what does a teacher do when a student says they don't believe it really happened? This presentation reviews research regarding Holocaust denial and racism related to K-12 classroom teaching. Three levels of engagement in teaching about Holocaust denial are identified, and best practices related to teacher integrity, knowledge of the specifics of Holocaust denial, and the development of facilitation and historiographical skills are identified.