Allison Belue
My name is Allison Belue, and I live in Burlington, NC. I have a son, Nicholas, who will be a Senior at Piedmont Classical High School, and a daughter, Olivia, who will be a Junior at Piedmont Classical High School.
I graduated in 2000 from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. I took over a classroom to finish out the last 6-weeks of school for a room full of 4th graders on the Monday after completing my student teaching that Friday in Wake County (Raleigh, NC). I taught 4th grade in Wake County for 4 years, and then jumped to teaching 7th grade Math at Terrell Lane Middle School in Franklin county until I had my son, Nicholas. I put my career on hold to put my husband through Pharmacy School and his MBA program. Once our kids were school age, I felt the pull of the classroom, so I began substitute teaching at the schools they attended.
While doing this, I realized I missed having my own classroom and my own students, so when the opportunity presented itself, I agreed to teach Latin at Piedmont Classical High School. To be completely honest, I had no idea of any Latin, however above my BA in education, I did have a minor in history, so it was supposed to be more of a hybrid Latin studies class, but then it morphed back to Latin vocabulary and heavy Latin grammar class. I taught there in Latin for the last two years, and then was presented with the opportunity to teach on Saturdays at a nearby school for 7th & 8th graders. That lead to summer school, and an offer to teach there 5th grade ELA, so I jumped at the chance. I’m finishing up my master's degree now through GCU in special education with a concentration in mild-to-moderate disabilities. I should finish that up with 3 classes to go. I’ve always loved history hence my minor in it in college, so I’m excited about this opportunity and everything I’ll be able to bring back to share with my colleagues!
Jonathan Bryant
My name is Jonathan Bryant. I have been a social studies teacher at Hibriten High School in Lenoir, NC for the past 8 years. I teach sections of honors and regular levels of world history to freshmen. One of the events we cover that I am most passionate about is the Holocaust. My maternal grandfather and numerous great uncles fought in World War II. My paternal grandfather was a veteran of World War I. History has been a huge part of my life since I was born. When I returned to Appalachian State University to complete certification to teach, I took a senior seminar class about the Holocaust with Dr. Brantz. One of the biggest highlights of the class was traveling to Washington, DC to tour the Holocaust Museum. Being able to experience all aspects of the museum from beginning to end was life-altering. Listening to lectures from Holocaust survivors empowered me to become the best educator I could be in teaching young people about this historical event. I returned to the museum with another group of students during my work as a TRIO counselor working with first-generation college students and then made a third trip with my family so that they could have the same experience. It is truly a privilege to attend this year's Holocaust Symposium. Thank you for the opportunity.
Hogan Carringer
My name is Hogan Carringer, and I just completed my 11th year teaching high school English at Person High School in Roxboro, NC. I was originally born in Crossnore, NC and graduated from Watauga High School in Boone before receiving my bachelor’s degree from UNC Asheville and my master’s degree from Western Carolina University. I wear many proverbial hats at Person High School, but one of them for a time was the faculty advisor for our German student exchange program. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone as we learn and share ideas and experiences with each other.
Cindy Day
I am Cindy Hedrick Day from Lenoir, NC. I have lived in Lenoir (Caldwell County) all my life, attended school here and worked as a middle school counselor with Caldwell County Schools for 30 years. I retired in 2016 and began volunteering at Caldwell Heritage Museum. In June 2017, I became interim director, then executive director in May 2018. My favorite people are my two sons and their families (I will be gaining a daughter-in-law by year's end), a grandson and granddaughter on the way. I can be found reading multiple books at one time, traveling, doing photography or tandem hang gliding. I am firm believer in learning and knowing about where one lives. A lifelong learner, I look for opportunities of all types and then how to share what I learn with others. I look forward being part of this symposium this year.
Liza Denis
I am Liza Denis, currently an instructional assistant here at South View High School with Cumberland County Schools. I am a mom to four children, of which one attends Appalachian State. Education has always been a big part of my parenting and it has poured into my love for other children. I have earned two associates and four certificates. I have just been accepted to UNC Pembroke in the sociology program and am super excited to earn my bachelor's degree.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this program.
Jennifer Holland
My name is Jennifer Holland and I have spent the last 11 years teaching 6th and 8th grade ELA and social studies. Teaching is a second career for me. I graduated from UNCG with my bachelors in Middle Grades Education and WGU with my masters in Curriculum and Instruction. This year I am moving to teach high school English. I live in Randolph County and teach in Chatham. I feel am in the beginning stages of learning how to teach the Holocaust to my students. When I began teaching, not much had changed from when I was in school reading The Diary of Anne Frank. I want my students to have a multi-layered understanding of what happened, why it happened and it’s long lasting effects. I am very thankful for this opportunity to learn from this symposium so I can better prepare my students to be positive forces in society as they mature into future leaders.
Christina Overcash
I grew up in Trinity, NC and am currently a librarian at Thomasville High School. Before I became a librarian, I worked as a special education teacher. This will be my 21st year in education. I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill (BA) UNC-Greensboro (M. Ed.) and NC Central University (MLS).
Cherie Page
I am an 8th-grade ELA teacher from Charlotte, NC. I teach about the Holocaust mainly through literature - in the last few years using Maus as the anchor text. The Holocaust continues to be an area of strong interest for students. By increasing my knowledge and sharing my passion for study of the Holocaust, facism and heroism, I increase student knowledge and passion. Whenever I find myself thinking I know the Holocaust, I read more or take a class and realize I'm not even through the tip of the iceberg. My latest research has focused mainly on women and the Holocaust. The roles of women as victims, heroes and re-builders in the aftermath have not been studied enough - or at least not published widely enough. I am interested in the epigenetics of the Holocaust and other repercussions affecting people today. The recent increase in fascism in the US has made the study of the Holocaust even more relevant, urgent and essential. I am glad to have this opportunity to study with others.
I am married with 4 grown children and a standard poodle named Cleo. I garden, walk and read, read, read. My husband likes to say education is my hobby as well as my job, which is kind of true.
Taylor Pitts
Hi everyone! My name is Taylor Pitts and I am from Portland, Oregon. I recently graduated from Appalachian State University with two bachelor's degrees in dance studies and history with a minor in Judaic, Holocaust and peace studies. Now that I have graduated I have been shifting my focus to finding opportunities within Holocaust studies specifically in finding the connections between dance/art and these historical events. I look forward to experiencing the symposium with you all!
Sarah Rave
Sarah Rave teaches 7th grade ELA & Social Studies at Cullowhee Valley School in Cullowhee, NC. Sarah began her career in education as an EC Assistant before obtaining her teaching license at UNC Charlotte. She loves working with middle school students and helping them connect their learning with their own life experiences.
Chase Scott
Hello! My name is Chase and I am a student in the history department at App. I love to learn and consider myself a student of the world. I am excited to take this week to learn about teaching and discussing difficult subjects. I look forward to all of the discussions. I just returned from a week in Poland and Germany where we studied the Holocaust. I am interested in finding ways to teach history like the Holocaust in non-traditional ways, for example as a tour guide or writing.
Vicki Simmons
Vicki Simmons grew up in Hamlet, NC. Her dad was the editor of the Hamlet News, and her mom was a physical education teacher and girls' basketball coach at Hamlet High School. Vicki chose to attend UNCG, and majored in physical education (BSPE 1975, MSPE 1984). Throughout her 41-year teaching career, Vicki earned her National Board Certification in Physical Education and credentials as a Certified Adapted Physical Educator. In 2008, Vicki was recognized as North Carolina's "Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year." She mentored many future educators along the way. In WWII, Vicki's dad fought in the infantry for the US Army at the Battle of the Bulge. After her dad's death in 1976, Vicki discovered his "Bronze Star for Valor," plus the framed Commendation. He never talked to Vicki about his military service, so she set out on her own to study WWII, and came to realize she could not study WWII without a parallel study of the Holocaust. One of the "silver linings" of the pandemic was the hundreds of hours of online programming, including conferences, dedicated to Holocaust education. Vicki took advantage of online Holocaust Education programming these last 3 years. Her interest was recognized by those in the NC Holocaust education community, and now Vicki is a Friend of the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust, with even more opportunities to learn about the Holocaust, network with others and share what she is learning.