KC to DC - A Holocaust Learning and Travel Opportunity for Educators - The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

KC to DC: A Holocaust Learning & Travel Opportunity for Educators

9-11 July 2025

Has your state recently passed a mandate for Holocaust education? Are you wondering where to begin?
Does your own education on the Holocaust date back to reading The Diary of Anne Frank or Night in middle or high school?
Do you currently teach the Holocaust but want to extend and refine your knowledge?
Would you like to learn best practices for Holocaust education?

Would you enjoy learning about the Holocaust within a community of fellow educators?
Have you not visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC – especially as an adult learner?
Would you like to develop a relationship with a Holocaust center that serves Midwest teachers?

If you answered “YES” to several of these questions, KC to DC is for you!

Overview of the KC to DC Experience

KC to DC is a wrap-around learning experience centered around a study tour at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It includes pre- and post-trip learning sessions, guided self-study, and follow-up activities. The experience will be facilitated by the MCHE team. Remote access to in-person sessions at MCHE is available for those who live outside the Kansas City metro area.

MCHE is offering this learning and travel experience for 6-12^th grade educators who currently teach the Holocaust or who anticipate implementing a Holocaust instructional unit. All interested educators who intend to serve Midwest schools for at least five additional years are encouraged to apply. Participation is limited to 18 educators.
Deadline for applications: Monday, 7 April 2025

PRE-TRIP: The experience will begin with a historical overview of the Holocaust from MCHE’s historian. Participants will also complete a guided self-study assignment designed to increase their historical knowledge of the Holocaust and prepare them for the experience at USHMM.
TRIP: The group will gather in DC for a guided bus/walking tour of the national monuments. The next day, we will tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions. We will also enjoy dinner together before departing the following morning.
POST-TRIP: After our visit to USHMM, participants will meet again with MCHE professionals to debrief and explore methods for teaching the Holocaust. We will also discuss expectations for follow-up activities.
FOLLOW-UP: During the year following KC to DC, participants will complete four activities designed to help them reflect upon and integrate their learning experiences. We urge participants to continue their Holocaust education with MCHE and inform colleagues about the professional resources we offer.

Important Things to Know about KC to DC!

One goal of this educational experience is to help participants form a learning community with other group members. We hope that KC to DC teachers will develop collegial relationships that extend beyond our last meeting. Therefore, each person is expected to actively participate in all program activities. Participants should not expect to include family members, partners, friends, or pets in the events planned for the KC to DC experience.

Participants will be housed in double-occupancy hotel rooms. For the nights of 9 and 10 July 2025, it is expected that those who apply for the program utilize these accommodations. Although we discourage this option, participants who choose to book private accommodations must do so at their own expense.

All participants must arrive in Washington, DC on 9 July 2025 in time to check into our hotel and meet the group by 6 p.m. for an evening tour. 10 July will be a full day at USHMM; dinner that evening is a required activity. Participants have no responsibilities to the group on 11 July 2025.

Dates for the KC to DC Experience

Please hold these dates on your calendars before applying!

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm – Pre-trip education session at the Jewish Community Campus. Zoom access is available for those outside of the Kansas City metro area.
Wednesday, 25 June 2025 – Guided self-study assignment due to MCHE.
Wednesday, 9 July 2025 at 6 p.m. – First group activity in DC: guided night tour of national monuments and memorials.
Thursday, 10 July 2025. All day. – Guided group tours of USHMM permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions. Group dinner.
Friday, 11 July 2025 – Return home. No group activities.
Tuesday, 15 July 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm – Post-trip educational session at the Jewish Community Campus. Zoom access is available for those outside of the Kansas City metro area.

Responsibilities & Dates for KC to DC Follow-Up Activities

1. Share your good news with your community!
Submit a press release about KC to DC (provided by MCHE) to your local media and school district.
DUE DATE: Friday, 8 August 2025

2. Share your gratitude!
Write a thank you letter to the benefactor that includes a reflection on how KC to DC influenced your understanding of the Holocaust and your ability to teach it.
DUE DATE: Monday, 26 August 2025

3. Share what you have learned!
Conduct a 20-30 minute presentation (e.g. faculty meeting, professional development, talk for community group) about your KC to DC experience, including such things as: important ideas or skills learned, how the experience has affected your teaching, MCHE as a resource.
DUE DATE: Friday, 12 December 2025

4. Stay involved!
Engage in at least one MCHE program for students, educators, or the community during the year after KC to DC.
DUE DATE: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Costs

Through the generous support of a benefactor, this is a subsidized learning experience.

Each participant is responsible for booking their own air fare which will be reimbursed up to $300. We encourage use of Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) because of its accessibility via the DC Metro system. Receipts are required for reimbursement.

Airfare reimbursement is contingent upon completion of the pre-trip, during-trip, and post-trip activities and will be issued 16-31 July.

Please do not book flights until your acceptance into the program has been confirmed.

Double-occupancy hotel accommodations will be provided, as will the night tour and a group dinner on 10 July 2025.

Participants are responsible for purchasing a copy of The World Must Know by Michael Berenbaum (2006 ed.).

Additionally, participants are responsible for air fare exceeding $300 and the costs of ground transportation, airport parking, meals other than the group dinner, and incidental expenses.

Physical Requirements

The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education will make every effort to accommodate participants’ physical abilities. However, please be aware that this trip requires use of the DC Metro system, a small tour bus, and extensive walking or wheeling. It is also an emotionally demanding experience focusing almost exclusively on Holocaust content.

Please preview the application form – especially the responsibilities – before completing and submitting the form.

APPLY FOR KC TO DC

Questions? Contact Laura Patton