“The biggest obstacle facing education in North Carolina is apathy and division. I am an optimist and have a great belief in the powers of equality and education. The students need to see that you care and are invested in them both as students and people.”
“What I teach is called ‘hard history’ for a reason.”
Lee Holder attended our Virginia seminar last summer. Lee is a remarkable educator whose impact comes from a combination of deep experience, personal conviction, and a mission-driven approach to teaching. Over a 30-year career in a rural high school, he taught social studies with a strong focus on “hard history,” most notably his long-running elective, “The Holocaust and Modern Genocides,” which he has taught for 27 years.
Lee’s influence extends beyond his own classroom: as a member of the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust and one of six educators selected to write the state’s Holocaust curriculum, his work now reaches all school districts in North Carolina. He also founded the Gizella Abramson Resource Center to provide free materials and professional development for teachers, helping address gaps in Holocaust, civil rights, and social justice education.
What drives his work? A powerful encounter with Holocaust survivor Gizella Abramson inspired him to dedicate his teaching to confronting prejudice and injustice. Equally important was a moment in his youth when he witnessed racism and failed to act – an experience that shaped his lifelong mission to teach students not to be bystanders.
Lee’s teaching approach is highly practical and student-centered: he models lessons that teachers can immediately use, emphasizes critical thinking and ongoing inquiry, and strives to leave students with a desire to continue learning beyond the classroom. Above all, Lee’s work is rooted in the belief that education should not only inform, but inspire students to act with courage, empathy, and responsibility in their communities.
Lee Holder: Teaching “Hard History”