Holocaust education is more than a history requirement. It is a lesson in empathy, courage, and moral responsibility. In this episode of the American Classroom Podcast, hosts Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland sit down with Leigh Routman, Executive Director of the Holocaust Learning Experience, to discuss a free, comprehensive Holocaust curriculum now used by schools across the country.

Leigh shares her personal journey working alongside Holocaust survivors and the urgent call she heard from them to keep their stories alive for future generations. The conversation explores how the program is designed to be age appropriate, interdisciplinary, and easy for teachers to implement, while remaining deeply meaningful for students. From survivor testimonies to real classroom data showing increased empathy and student engagement, this episode highlights how thoughtful Holocaust education can shape informed, compassionate citizens.

Show Notes:

Leigh Routman

Executive Director, Holocaust Learning Experience

Email: lroutman@holocaustlearningexperience.org

Website: https://holocaustlearningexperience.org/

Program Flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h0xEX4_esJ8I_vs8Sm9Fgbb79v5viA16/view?usp=sharing

If you want to learn more about the American Classroom podcast, please visit https://americanclassroom.show/

To learn more about or take a tour of the great schools mentioned in this episode, visit Heritage Academy https://heritageacademyaz.com/

or Paul Revere Academy https://paulrevere.tech/

Sponsored by: Heritage Academy, downtown Mesa campus

www.hamesa.com

School Choice Done Right: Finding the Best Fit for Your Child

School choice can feel empowering and overwhelming at the same time. Jared Taylor and Lindsey Crosland welcome Dr. Barbara Duncan and Liz Dreckman to explain how Arizona became a national model and what parents should do with all those options. They cover the “backpack funding” idea behind ESAs, how tax credit scholarships expanded to serve more students, and why real progress includes strong district schools that compete by improving. The group also looks ahead to “School Choice 3.0,” where education becomes more individualized, mixing academics with trades, dual enrollment, tutoring, therapies, and passion-driven learning. If you are navigating kindergarten, high school, or a mid-year switch, this episode offers a clear framework: know your child, tour schools, and choose the best fit right now.

Show Notes:

The Phoenix School Fair on January 24, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 pm at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix gives families a free, one-stop way to explore K–12 education options. Parents can meet representatives from public, charter, magnet, private, faith-based, online, homeschool, and nontraditional schools, while enjoying a fun, family-friendly evening hosted by Choose A School AZ and the National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

https://schoolchoiceweek.com/events/phoenix-school-fair/

Helping Arizona parents find the right school for their child, and helping schools put their best foot forward with quality recruiting, marketing, and services to families.

https://www.facebook.com/chooseaschoolaz

EdChoice is a national nonprofit organization that provides research and resources on K–12 education choice and policy.

https://www.edchoice.org

National School Choice Week is a nationwide celebration that raises awareness about the full range of K–12 education options available to families. Through events, resources, and community partnerships, it helps parents explore choices and advocate for the learning environment that best fits their children.

https://schoolchoiceweek.com/

If you want to learn more about the American Classroom podcast, please visit AmericanClassroom.Show

https://americanclassroom.show/

To learn more about or take a tour of the great schools mentioned in this episode, visit

Heritage Academy https://heritageacademyaz.com/

or Paul Revere Academy https://paulrevere.tech/

Sponsored by: Heritage Academy, downtown Mesa campus https://www.hamesa.com

In this episode, listeners meet Principal Tera Nelson, the founding leader of the new Heritage Academy K5 campus in Maricopa, Arizona. She shares her path from military service to early childhood education and now school leadership, highlighting the values that drew her to Heritage Academy’s traditional, character centered model. Principal Nelson describes what makes the K5 experience special, including smaller class sizes, strong citizenship education, structured foundational curriculum, and a close knit community culture. She also discusses the opportunities and responsibilities of opening a brand new school and the traditions families can look forward to as the campus grows. For families exploring school options in Maricopa, this conversation provides a clear view of Heritage Academy’s mission and the warm environment the new campus aims to create.

Show Notes:

1. If you want to learn more about the American Classroom podcast, please visit AmericanClassroom.Show https://americanclassroom.show/

2. To learn more about or take a tour of the great schools mentioned in this episode, visit Heritage Academy https://heritageacademyaz.com/ or Paul Revere Academy https://paulrevere.tech/

3. Sponsored by: Heritage Academy, downtown Mesa campus- www.hamesa.com