NEW YORK (Press Release) — Ivy Schamis, from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida, has been named this year’s AFC “Teacher of the Year” in recognition of her guiding presence and the strengths of patience, justice, and empowerment that she has successfully shared with younger generations. The 22nd annual gala and awards program, to be held on the 12th of June at espace, 635 West 42nd St., New York, recognizes worthy role models who uphold Anne Frank’s ideals of hope, justice, and equality. Neither she nor her students could have anticipated the relevance of Anne Frank’s legacy just a few months ago.
A Broward County social studies teacher for the past 18 years, Ivy Schamis has helped her students reveal their own personal strengths as they face the future. Having launched her school’s Holocaust education program, she teaches history as a tool for understanding today’s societal challenges such as violence and discrimination. Today, the lingering horror of two students shot to death in her classroom is juxtaposed with the national acclaim several of her students have received, including Samantha Fuentes, Emma González, and Delaney Tarr.
In the aftermath of unspeakable tragedy the Parkland students have shown that in spite of whatever is going wrong in the world, a small group of young people can make a real difference and turn tragedy into change. The inspiration they have given to the youth of the today cannot be understated. They are not passive bystanders, but rather are active members of a democratic society. Anne Frank wrote in her diary that “even if people are still very young, they shouldn’t be prevented from saying what they think.” Ivy Schamis is inspired by that message.
“How can this happen, of all places, in a classroom where students were learning how to combat hate? The lessons of the Holocaust were coming alive right there in room 1214. Since that fateful day, the 4th period students have become a symbol of all Anne Frank stood for – loss of innocence coupled with unfailing optimism. They are more committed than ever to spread the message – HATE IS NEVER OKAY! And like the Holocaust Survivors we met online and in person, Resiliency of the Human Spirit prevails.”
To keep hope is one of Anne Frank’s most enduring messages. The Anne Frank Center finds this hope in the young generations of today and in their outstanding educators like Ivy Schamis.
Ivy Schamis will join 2018 honorees Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, Dr. Jud Newborn, Syrian refugee Mariela Shaker, Racquel Harris Mason of Coca-Cola, and Holocaust survivor and philanthropist Rosa Strygler (posthumously) at this year’s Spirit of Anne Frank Awards gala. For more information and tickets visit annefrank.com/safa or email gala@annefrank.com.
AFC is committed to lifting up the voices of young people, by bringing the story of Anne Frank, the lessons of the Holocaust, and modern social justice to schools around the country. Through educational and performance programs students interact with history and with each other to combat intolerance in their communities, becoming ambassadors of change.
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Preceding provided by the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect.