8-10 July 2026
At Right: Participants enjoy the view during our tour of DC’s memorials and monuments in July 2025.
If you answered “YES” to several of these questions, KC to DC is for you!
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 6-12th 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. Consideration will given to applicants who are currently completing the requirements for teaching credentials and who will be seeking a teaching position in a Midwest school during 2026-27. Participation is limited to 18 educators.
Deadline for applications: Friday, 10 April 2026
Please check your availability and hold these dates on your calendars before applying!
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. You will be assigned to share a room with a fellow KC to DC participant. For the nights of 8 and 9 July 2026, 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 8 July 2025 in time to check into our hotel and meet the group by 6 p.m. for the evening tour. 9 July will be a full day at USHMM; dinner that evening is a required activity. 10 July 2025 is a travel home day; participants have no responsibilities to the group that day.
During the year following KC to DC, participants pledge to complete four activities designed to help them reflect upon and integrate their learning experiences. We also encourage participants to continue their Holocaust education with MCHE and share information with colleagues about the professional resources we offer.
1. Share your gratitude!
Write a thank you letter to the benefactor (c/o MCHE) that includes a reflection on how KC to DC influenced your understanding of the Holocaust and your ability to teach it.
DUE DATE: Letter postmarked by Friday, 31 July 2026
2. Share your good news with your community!
Submit a press release about KC to DC (provided by MCHE) to your local media, school, and school district. Provide evidence such as a print copy, digital copy, link, or photo of/to the school or district webpage; school or district newsletter; local newspaper, TV or radio.
DUE DATE: Friday, 28 August 2026
3. Share what you have learned!
Conduct a 20-30 minute presentation (e.g. faculty meeting, department meeting, professional development workshop, 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, 11 December 2026
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: Friday, 30 April 2027
Through the generous support of a benefactor, this is a subsidized learning experience.
AIRFARE
Each participant is responsible for booking their own air fare which will be reimbursed up to $350. Participants are responsible for the portion of air fare exceeding $350. Receipts are required for reimbursement. Airfare reimbursement is contingent upon completion of the pre-trip meetings and assignment, during-trip activities, and the post-trip meeting. Airfare reimbursement will be issued approximately 31 July 2026.
We encourage use of Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) because of its accessibility via the DC Metro system.
Please do not book flights until your acceptance into the program has been confirmed.
HOTEL
Double-occupancy hotel accommodations will be provided.
NIGHT TOUR & GROUP DINNER
The night tour on 8 July and the group dinner on 9 July will be provided. (Those who wish to purchase adult beverages at dinner may do so at their own expense.)
PARTICIPANT EXPENSES
Participants are responsible for purchasing or borrowing a copy of The World Must Know by Michael Berenbaum (2006 ed.). This text will be needed for completion of the self-study assignment.
The costs of ground transportation, airport parking, meals other than the group dinner, and incidental expenses are the responsibility of each participant.
The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education will make every effort to accommodate participants’ varying physical abilities. However, please be aware that our trip plan depends upon use of the DC Metro system, a small tour bus, and extensive walking or wheeling. KC to DC is also an emotionally demanding experience focusing almost exclusively on Holocaust content.
We estimate that KC to DC will require 25-27 contact hours for the following activities: Historical Overview, Pre-Trip Meeting, DC Tour, USHMM Tours, Group Dinner, and Post-Trip Meeting.
In addition, participants will need to reserve an estimated 30-40 hours to complete the guided-study assignment. The assignment requires extensive reading from The World Must Know and other sources; viewing short historical films, film clips, and survivor testimonies; and analyzing primary source documents. This activity has several goals:
We estimate that follow-up activities will require 4-7 hours of time, depending upon which options you choose.
Please keep these time requirements in mind as you consider your ability to participate in KC to DC 2026.
Please preview the application form – especially the responsibilities – before completing and submitting the form.
Application Deadline: Friday, April 10
Questions? Contact Laura Patton
Our mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide.
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