TBS Educators Deliver Fascinating FCIS Presentations

Three Benjamin educators delivered outstanding presentations during the Florida Council Of Independent Schools’ Annual Convention. The three day virtual convention brought the FCIS community together virtually to “connect, learn, and reimagine.” 

Participants attended live, interactive sessions while engaging with speakers and fellow attendees. 

Middle School Social Studies teacher Anne Franzen spoke to attendees the morning of November 6 about Holocaust studies as a conduit to increasing student empathy. 

“It doesn’t matter what subject you teach,” said Franzen. “You can use Holocaust studies to help build empathy among students of any age.”

Franzen explained ways in which educators could weave Holocaust studies into their curriculum and the importance of educating young people about the greatest crime in history.

“We want to make sure students are aware of the human behavior behind the Holocaust. It teaches moral dilemmas. Students every day are constantly faced with complicated moral choices that blur the lines between right and wrong,” Franzen told sessions participants. 

“‘Never again’ starts in the classroom,” she said.

Following Franzen, Upper School Social Studies teacher Dr. Hope Myers took to the digital podium to discuss Florida Project Learning Tree. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative provides educators with high-quality professional development through hands-on activities and multidisciplinary, curriculum-enhancing activities. PLT curriculum materials help teachers engage students in STEM in the classroom while also using the environment as a teacher. Myers spoke to session participants about how they could use PLT activities to increase student engagement and enhance learning.

Upper School World Language teacher Lei Cohen followed Myers with a presentation on teaching Chinese through projects and culture.

“Lay the foundation,” said Cohen. “Talking comes gradually. I work to add supplementary, everyday language to the students’ vocabulary.” 

The convention concluded with a live chat with exhibitors. 


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A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.
 
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