Welcoming a speaker into your school or organization with thoughtful planning and professionalism helps create a respectful and comfortable environment. Careful attention to logistics and hospitality allows the speaker to focus on sharing their family’s history and educational message.

Please consider the following:

• Provide clear parking instructions, entrance information, and accessibility details, including stairs or elevators if applicable.
• Whenever possible, schedule arrival and departure outside of heavy traffic or student dismissal times.
• Have a student or staff member greet and escort the speaker to the presentation space.
• Offer access to a restroom before the program begins.
• Provide a microphone, chair (if desired), glass of water, and tissues.

• Contact IHE well in advance to schedule your presentation.
• Prepare students with age-appropriate background knowledge about the Holocaust before the presentation.
• Introduce the speaker and know the correct pronunciation of the speaker’s name.
• If the speaker’s family history includes specific events, such as ghettos, concentration camps, hiding, or liberation, provide students with historical context beforehand.
• Minimize interruptions during the presentation by limiting announcements and unnecessary movement.
• Ask students to remain in the room throughout the presentation.
• Stay nearby to help facilitate questions or clarify audience comments when needed.
• Give your full attention to the speaker throughout the program.

Students will gain the most from the experience when they arrive prepared to listen thoughtfully.

Before the presentation:

• Provide students with background information about the Holocaust and the speaker’s family lived experience when available.
• Explain that speakers may discuss difficult or emotional topics.
• Review respectful listening expectations.
• Discuss appropriate questions and encourage students to ask thoughtful, respectful questions.
• Invite students to share potential questions with you beforehand if they are unsure whether a question is appropriate.
• Reinforce expectations for audience behavior, including attentive listening, remaining seated, and participating respectfully during the Q&A session.

• Thank the speaker for sharing their family’s lived experience.
• If the speaker is comfortable doing so, allow time for students or audience members to meet them individually and take photographs.
• Escort the speaker back to the building entrance or their vehicle.
• Provide time later in the day or during the next class to reflect on the presentation and discuss what students learned.
• Encourage students to write thank-you notes. Consider having students write in small groups so the speaker receives a manageable number of thoughtful messages.