Paw Paw Students Trained as Guides for Anne Frank Exhibit at Middle School

# Paw Paw Students Trained as Guides for Anne Frank Exhibit at Middle School

PAW PAW, Mich. — Students at Paw Paw Middle School and Paw Paw High School are getting a hands-on lesson in history this month as they tour and lead tours of a traveling Anne Frank Exhibit now installed in the school's media center.

The 32-panel, museum-quality display was brought to the community by the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina. Rather than simply allowing students to view the exhibit, the program includes hands-on training. Representatives from the center come on site to train students to serve as guides, walking both classmates and community members through the panels.

Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Davison said each panel tells a different part of Anne Frank's story.

"They come in, they train the students to be guides and to walk, not just classmates, but community members through a museum quality exhibit that focuses on the life of Anne Frank," Davison said.

More Than a Classroom Lesson

Davison, who previously taught history, said the exhibit gives students an experience that goes far beyond the textbook.

"I used to be a history teacher, and so I know, like in my classroom, history becomes so much more powerful when you can actually give the kids the opportunity to not just read about it, but to actually experience it, to get involved in it, and help build an understanding about it," Davison said. "In this case, they're not just learning about Anne Frank beyond the textbook. They're actually being trained and being given the opportunity to take what they've learned and to turn around and reiterate it to share it with other people."

So far, 28 students have signed up to receive the training. The rest of the student body can also visit the exhibit, which remains set up in the media center throughout the display's stay.

Community Night Set for September 15

The exhibit was open to the public Tuesday, September 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. The entire community was invited to stop in and view the display.

Davison said the Anne Frank story is one that needs to be taught to young people, and the traveling exhibit does so in a way that builds empathy and respect.

"I think nowadays we're so apprehensive about exposing our kids to some of those more controversial topics," Davison said. "I think it helps the kids kind of learn how to handle such a serious subject with a little bit more maturity, with thoughtfulness, respect. I think they really kind of help build an appreciation for what happened, and here in Paw Paw, we really do try to keep a heavy hand on focusing on kindness and empathy."

Davison added that the exhibit provides a real-world example of Paw Paw Public Schools' five Core Values: Integrity, Community, Success, Innovation, and Kindness.

He said the district is also hoping other area schools will bring students in to tour the exhibit while it is on display.