Education
Why Teach World War II?
Secondary School and College Programs
College World War II Documentary Film Program
The World War II Foundation’s Student Film and History Program is dedicated to preserving the stories of our nation’s heroes.
Secondary Schools – Let Tim Teach!
Would you like our Founder Tim Gray to speak with your class? Topics include War in Europe, War in the Pacific, The Holocaust and stories about WWII. Call us at 401-862-3030 or Email sheila@wwiifoundation.org
“I would say that interest in World War II is totally consistent,” said Linda Becker, a 16-year classroom veteran who teaches at Westinghouse College Prep in Chicago, IL. “It’s one of the few things that hasn’t changed. If you ask students what they want to learn about, World War II is always in the top three, along with civil rights and Vietnam.” (Chicago Tribune)
Linda Becker – EducatorChicago, IL
“The Legacy and Lessons of The Second World War WWII was a watershed event in world history and the pivotal event of the last one hundred years. It defined our current understandings of collective responsibility, economic interdependence and the importance of tolerance for the diversity of mankind. It set in motion our modern global economy, established standards of service to one’s country and defined many precedents we follow today. WWII is a most important passage on “the road to now.”
Doug BarberEducator – Ohio
“They [students] start off unified in the conviction that the Axis had to be stopped but diverge when they get to the atomic bomb. The questions, the issues, they’re just compelling for any person, young people especially,” sais Mike Biondo, High School teacher in Park Ridge, IL “They’re really grappling with these things. I hope it continues to be important. As we continue to work with students, we need to make it present.” (Chicago Tribune)
Mike BiondoEducator – Park Ridge, IL
“As violent divisiveness has risen in many places around the world through governments, terrorist organizations, and companies, it is extremely important to remember the price we as humans everywhere paid for this very same violent divisiveness in the Second World War. We learned from World War II that violent divisiveness in societies lead to fighting, death, and trauma rather than success. Even the dominant groups under these hateful, racist power structures did not succeed in any sort of way that they could maintain long-term. Our current ways we work and trade with each other internationally were born from the ashes of the Second World War. Even more importantly though, humanity as a whole learned its best example yet of the importance of loving and learning from each other due to our diverse differences of opinions, backgrounds, and experiences rather than continuing to try to ignorantly eliminate those differences between us.”
Pat Nigro Educator, New England
“Today’s students have the world at their fingertips given the luxury and convenience of technology. Described as digital natives, students navigate a seamless world punctuated with 24/7/365 information, entertainment and topics of their choice. While the convenience of technology brings the user instantaneous gratification, we are challenged to sort through the clutter and noise of social media. As an educator, I am determined to open our students’ eyes to the world beyond their social media platform. I believe exploring the complexities of World War II is one extraordinary example that should be infused in every student’s academic journey. The plethora of resources, to include amazing online tools, will ignite curiosity and excitement among students to explore the endless stories capturing the global sting of World War II. Students who visit the WWII Foundation’s Global Education Center get “up front and personal” with the perils of World War II when they touch the helmets worn by soldiers or feel the fabric of a soldier’s uniform. As a society, it is our responsibility to create learning opportunities for students to understand the complexities of World War II and respect the tenacious spirit of the ‘greatest generation who ever lived’.”
Harrison School of Communication & Media, University of Rhode Island