Ensights Magazine

Chanaca teaching with veterans

High School Students Learn History First-Hand, Remotely

Paul Downey ‘92, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications
Although in-person learning, with its emphasis on discussion around Harkness tables, has continued at the High School despite the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ensworth has not been able to welcome outside guests and speakers to campus. 
Mr. Chanaca’s World War II class, for example, usually hosts an annual campus-wide assembly honoring invited veterans who also visit classes to offer their memories and opinions of armed service. 

Likewise, Chanaca’s class was unable to visit The National WWII Museum in New Orleans due to travel restrictions. This interactive learning opportunity helps students see the world through others from different generations who have had a variety of experiences. With Ensworth’s investment in technology resources and faculty training to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, however, Mrs. Chanaca has helped bring this vital oral history to his students.
 
After the Spring 2020 implementation of remote learning, many teachers like Chanaca who had relied heavily upon Harkness discussion had to pivot their classroom methods. Once back in the classroom this fall, as a seasoned veteran at Zoom videoconferencing, he quickly found how to use the technology to bring history to life.
 
During the first quarter, Mr. Chanaca’s class studied the biographies of real Germans and the situations in which they acted heroically to save the lives of Jews during the Nazi regime. Students were tasked with relating what they would do as that person and why, linking up the German’s biography and beliefs with the action. “It is important to recognize,” the assignment reads, “that all humans are susceptible to the danger of inhumane acts and to acts of amazing kindness and sacrifice.”
 
Through the family connections of one student, the class received a virtual visit from the granddaughter of one such German. Karen Latus’ grandfather, Fritz, endured Nazi persecution in his childhood as a Quaker and later escaped with his sister to America. The talk educated students on the plight that many groups endured under Nazi rule and on how a growing evil can be tolerated by a whole society.
 
Jonathan Smith, a student in the class, observed: “It was very interesting to hear the story of a family living in Nazi Germany from a direct relative. The knowledge that her family’s story added to the class contributed greatly to the overall understanding of the war and its effects on individuals, not just the world. I am very grateful that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the class was able to learn the story of a family who escaped Nazism and better understand the war on a personal level.”
 
Another student, Lainey Garside, recalled, “Hearing her grandfather’s story was so incredible and moving. It gave us a deeper dive into the lives of average citizens during the war, and hearing about a real account made it all the more interesting.”
 
In November, the class hosted a virtual veterans celebration and roundtable discussion. Guests included many repeat visitors and even a few who were never able to make it because they live elsewhere, including Mr. Chanaca’s nephew, Matt Nieswand, currently a pilot in the Navy. 
 
Bob Thomas, a West Point grad, tank commander, and friend of Mr. Chanaca, joined the Zoom call after many years as an in-person guest. “I always enjoy listening to other veterans sharing their experiences,” he remarks. “The biggest takeaway, though, is the students and their interest in our experiences.  It reaffirms that this upcoming generation will carry on with the American tradition. Hooah!”
 
Chanaca does acknowledge the value of face-to-face communication, especially in its relation to sharing the human experience. “It is more important now than ever to teach civil discourse and personal interaction in a positive and knowledge-based approach,” Chanaca asserted during the pandemic. “No video will ever take the place of human interaction. Nothing can replace watching facial expressions, referencing a previous student comment in person, and using human connection to make verbal interaction honest yet supportive.”
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