Two teachers honored with inaugural state award in Holocaust education

Dr. Sara Dew of Latta and Emily Taylor of Swansea have been named South Carolina Council on the Holocaust Educators of Excellence for 2021. Dr. Dew teaches at J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School in Lake City, SC, and Emily Taylor teaches at Swansea Freshman Academy in Swansea, SC. This is the inaugural year of the award and it is given to educators who exhibit a passion for teaching the meaningful lessons of the Holocaust to their students. In addition to receiving a framed certificate of the award, Dr. Dew and Ms. Taylor were also presented with a $500 check and a $500 grant to use toward classroom resources.

Scott Auspelmyer, the Executive Director of the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust (SCCH), states, “The goal of the SCCH Educators of Excellence awards is to honor those teachers who display a unique dedication to educating their students about the Holocaust and human rights. We are honored to be able to present this award this year to Dr. Dew and Ms. Taylor to recognize their tireless efforts and commitment to quality education for our students in South Carolina.”

The South Carolina Council on the Holocaust was established in 1989 through a state legislative mandate. It operates in collaborative partnership with the state legislature and the SC Department of Education to promote awareness about the Holocaust and to honor the survivors and concentration camp liberators who call South Carolina home. To this end, the Council supports teacher training programs, special events that discuss Holocaust history, human rights, and genocide, and annual Holocaust commemorations around the state.