Hi Janet. I see that you live in Alaska, but I am curious if you are related to an Ellen Blalock? She is the coordinator of my father’s Holocaust Survivor Program in Rockville, Maryland. Seems like a pretty big coincidence if not : ). I will be seeing her in a few weeks for an event. Interested to hear about life in Alaska and the program you created for your school. I work a lot with our pre-AP World history teacher and there is so much we do jointly to marry the history with literature and look at how it affects us all in the present. Look forward to meeting you.

Hi Nicole, As far as I know I am not related to Ellen. Most of my husband’s family is from Texas. I like when historical nonfiction is used in classes. There are so many interesting books out there to read. I have my students pick a book to present to the class but they can cover all the genocides in the class. Can’t wait for NYC.