South Florida Local News
Broward County Public Schools celebrates two teachers receiving the prestigious Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educators Award for 2025
Broward County, Florida – Broward County Public Schools proudly celebrates two of its educators, Hannah Levitt and Lisa Schuurmans, who have been named among the winners of the 2025 Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educators Award. Presented by the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University, the award honors educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to Holocaust, genocide, and human rights education, making a lasting impact on students and communities alike.
Hannah Levitt brings 14 years of experience to her role as an Advanced Placement and Honors World History teacher at McFatter Technical High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Levitt serves as Social Studies Chair and faculty advisor for the school’s Model United Nations team. Her work emphasizes not only historical facts but also the human lessons that arise from them.
“By learning about both the suffering and the resistance during the Holocaust, students develop empathy and are inspired to act with courage and responsibility,” Levitt said, reflecting her belief that education extends beyond memorization and into the realm of moral understanding and civic engagement. Through her classes, students explore the harrowing realities of history while discovering the capacity for resilience and ethical action.
Lisa Schuurmans, an instructional facilitator within BCPS’s Secondary Learning Department, brings more than two decades of experience to her work in education. Her commitment to justice, fairness, and integrity in teaching has earned her widespread recognition. Known for her enthusiasm for learning and her ability to make historical lessons relevant to contemporary challenges, Schuurmans encourages students to consider how the past informs the present and shapes the future.
“Education is learning how to spot the signs of history repeating itself,” Schuurmans explained, highlighting the importance of connecting historical understanding with practical awareness. Her approach inspires students to recognize patterns, question assumptions, and approach the world with empathy, all critical skills in an era where human rights and social responsibility remain pressing concerns.
The Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educators Award is highly regarded for celebrating teachers who go above and beyond to integrate Holocaust and human rights education into their curricula. Levitt and Schuurmans join a select group of educators recognized for their exceptional ability to inspire students, promote ethical reasoning, and foster a deep understanding of the lessons of history.
Both Levitt and Schuurmans will be formally honored at an awards ceremony in Boca Raton on October 30, 2025. The event will bring together educators, community members, and leaders from the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education to celebrate the outstanding contributions of award recipients.
Through their dedication, both Levitt and Schuurmans exemplify how educators can use history as a powerful tool to shape the minds and hearts of students. Their work ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust and other human rights struggles remain vivid and instructive, encouraging the next generation to act with empathy, integrity, and courage.
For more details about the Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educators Award and its impact on education, visit fau.edu/artsandletters/news/2025-news/gutterman-honors-educators-2025.
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