As a part of Classrooms Without Borders, Rozelle had the opportunity to spend 10 transformative days in Poland, visiting Holocaust concentration camps. Despite the emotional impact, she described the experience as one of the most meaningful of her life.
In her seminar evaluation she reflected: “This truly was the first time I was able to tangibly experience what I teach, and it reignited my passion to teach about the Holocaust. One aspect that struck me at Auschwitz was the sheer enormity of the camps. I’ve read and taught about Auschwitz for years, but walking through Auschwitz I and Birkenau completely changed my perspective. One of the historians described the scale of it as being like a small town, and that really resonated with me. The most powerful part of the trip was having a survivor travel with us. Standing in one of the barracks in Birkenau and hearing Howard’s testimonial was incredibly difficult, but also so important.”
This powerful experience has deeply influenced Rozelle’s approach to teaching. She brings this immersive learning into her classroom through a year-long course on the Holocaust. Recently, she coordinated the arrival of an era-accurate boxcar, on loan from the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in Naples, which is currently stationed at Venice High for student tours through January 2025.
Congratulations, Rozelle, on being named Sarasota Teacher of the Year! Your dedication to history and innovative teaching continues to inspire both your students and the wider community.