New Milford Teacher, Holocaust Educator, Honored By Princeton University

NEW MILFORD, NJ — A high school special education teacher is being honored by Princeton University for her work as a Holocaust educator.

Colleen Tambuscio and three other secondary teachers will be honored at Princeton's commencement ceremony June 6 by the school's Program in Teacher Preparation program.

Tambuscio is a leading voice in Holocaust education. She is founder and president of the Council of Holocaust Educators, a statewide professional development organization.

Tambuscio established a Holocaust education curriculum when she started at New Milford High School 14 years ago, which now includes two elective classes: “The Holocaust, Genocide and Human Behavior” and “Contemporary Genocide: A Call to Action.”

She also leads students on annual trips to Holocaust sites in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland and to the United States Holocaust Museum. Students interview survivors and family members. She also teaches social studies.

“Student participants, from varying ethnic and religious backgrounds, see the clear connections from the past to the present day and apply those universal lessons to their ability to be a citizen in a democracy,” Tambuscio said in a statement released by Princeton Monday.

Justin Flores, a former student participant said he has "stood up to intolerance, gained the ability to empathize and learned how t remain devoted" to his passions, because of Tambuscio's involvement in his life.

New Milford Superintendent Michael Polozzi said that Tambuscio embodies community, knowledge and enlightenment in the service of others. He said through her actions she inspires her students to reach out "beyond themselves in ways that enrich humanity."

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