BUILDING UPSTANDERS: CISD Partners with Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Since the fall of 2021, Coppell ISD has partnered with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum as part of the museum’s Upstander project. Through this initiative, CISD has been able to build upon its character education and curriculum programs by encouraging students to become Upstanders in their community.

According to the museum, Upstanders are individuals who stand up for other people and their rights; combat injustice,

Working with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum also allows for curriculum collaborations. Under the direction of Social Studies Teacher Danae Boyd, New Tech High @ Coppell students Blake Conoley and Benjamin Hall were chosen as Honorees, and Alisha Oberoi was selected for Honorable Mention recognition as part of the museum’s Every Child Has a Name Legacy Project.

The project remembers and honors the timeline of Belina Cohen’s life with eight different colors that represent eight major events in her life.”

Hall said, “I chose Jehuda Majer Halle because of his similar last name to me and because of his story. He had to go to one of the worst concentration camps in history. He was separated from his family before he was even old enough to make choices for himself. He was beaten, abused, and treated like dirt just because he wanted to worship

“We always want to be innovators in educating our kids. This partnership aligns with our core values and allows our kids to have the critical thinking skills and empathy and social capital to make a difference in the world.”

— Dr. Brad Hunt, Superintendent inequality or unfairness; and see something wrong and work to make it right.

Field trips to the museum, both in person and virtual, as well as educational collaborations that align with the state’s and CISD’s curriculum standards, are among the opportunities the collaboration with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum provides CISD.

1.5 million Jewish children who were murdered during the Holocaust, through research and creative thought. Conoley knitted a scarf, Hall wrote a song and Oberoi submitted a drawing and diary entry for this project.

Conoley said, “I chose Belina Cohen because I was inspired by her unique story and her bravery through everything she went through. This scarf, which took me about a week and a half, is a his religion, so I wanted to honor his struggles through this project and make sure that he is never forgotten. Because once we forget, then those people who committed those crimes, win.”

Oberoi said, “I chose Rutka Laskier because she seemed to have an extremely unique life. After doing some research, I found out that she held a diary. She talked about whatever remnants she had of what her life was before. I realized that our personalities were quite similar, and it was neat to see one of the thoughts I’ve had in general in writing, especially in the diary of a girl who lived years before me.”

Dr. Hunt said, “The work and recognition of these learners is an example of the transformative, profound and powerful experiences our partnership with the museum creates.”

Learn more about this partnership.