William R. “Bill” Fernekes taught social studies and Spanish from 1974-1987 at Hunterdon Central Regional HS in Flemington NJ, later serving as supervisor of social studies from 1987 to his retirement in 2010. He has been a consultant to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, and numerous other scholarly institutions. He is a recipient of the Mel Miller Award from the National Social Studies Supervisors Association as the outstanding social studies supervisor in the U.S., the Distinguished Service Award from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education Alumni Association and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Rights Education from HRE USA.
Episode 60: Bill Fernekes, Part One
In Part One, Bill Fernekes shares his journey into human rights education, beginning with his early exposure to Holocaust education and activism through organizations like Amnesty International and Facing History and Ourselves. He reflects on how these experiences shaped his teaching practice and views on the need for early, comprehensive human rights education, especially as a more inclusive alternative to traditional U.S. civics frameworks. As a founding member of Human Rights Educators USA, Bill discusses the organization’s growth and potential areas for expansion. He highlights the power of storytelling and testimony in Holocaust education, the challenges of teaching sensitive topics like LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the growing threats to democracy and human rights in schools. He also addresses the gap between human rights education and policy, citing Bernie Sanders as an example of rights-based political discourse. The episode closes with a preview of Part Two.
Topics Discussed:
- Early influences: Holocaust education, Amnesty International, and teaching integration
- Education & human rights: Need for early, holistic, and inclusive human rights education
- HRE USA: Founding, achievements, and growth opportunities
- Teaching challenges: Using testimony, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and community resistance
- Policy & advocacy: Bridging education with rights-based policymaking
- Preview of Part Two and closing acknowledgements
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
Episode 61: Bill Fernekes, Part Two
In Part Two, Bill Fernekes emphasizes the need to balance theory and practice in human rights education (HRE), advocating for curriculum transformation grounded in dignity and decolonization. He explores the link between human rights, public policy, and poverty, highlighting programs like the California Task Force and Human Rights Close to Home. Bill stresses that HRE should empower—not indoctrinate—students. He critiques the U.S. for not ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and envisions its integration into education. Looking ahead, he supports expanding the podcast’s scope with new hosts and more youth involvement. He honors role models Nancy Flowers and Paul Robeson, emphasizing the power of lived values and universal advocacy. Bill calls for mandatory human rights education in all teacher licensure and professional training programs, closing with gratitude and reflections on the importance of resisting injustice.
Topics Discussed:
- Balancing HRE theory and practice; curriculum transformation and dignity
- Decolonizing education and connecting HRE to public policy and poverty
- Advocacy vs. indoctrination in educational settings
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: U.S. resistance and educational potential
- Podcast future: Dialogues, youth voices, and expansion beyond K–12
- Role models: Nancy Flowers and Paul Robeson’s lasting influence
- Key recommendation: Require HRE in all teacher licensure and training programs
- Final reflections and closing acknowledgments
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
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