Penguin Random House, The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and the Anne Frank Fonds, which is responsible for the publication of Anne Frank’s seminal work, The Diary of a Young Girl, announced the Anne Frank Award for Teaching Memoir, giving English language arts educators from middle to postsecondary levels the opportunity to apply for funding to advance the teaching of memoir and support student writing in the classroom.
Through the new awards program, ten English teachers will receive a $1,000 grant each to teach memoir across language arts education—especially texts focused on children’s voices and experiences during times of war, such as The Diary of a Young Girl.
“English language arts educators know that teaching memoir is an effective strategy for building students’ writing and reading skills,” said Emily Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). “The partnership with Penguin Random House and the Anne Frank Fonds sends new support to English language arts teachers as they inspire young readers and writers.”
Teachers spanning middle, secondary, and community college classroom settings are eligible to apply. The program will emphasize:
- The importance of reading entire texts and of student writing and creation in ELA contexts.
- The role of memoir in ELA contexts and, through collaborations, across disciplines.
- The value of nonfiction and its expansion in ELA settings.
“The Diary of a Young Girl not only chronicles a pivotal time in history—it is also a deeply moving coming-of-age story that resonates with readers of all ages,” said Nihar Malaviya, CEO of Penguin Random House. “We are so proud to collaborate with our longtime partners at the Anne Frank Fonds and NCTE to support teachers and foster a new generation of thoughtful and empathetic students.”
Grant recipients will be selected by a panel comprising teachers appointed by NCTE and a representative from the Anne Frank Fonds and Penguin Random House Education.
“It is essential that new generations of students understand the universal lessons contained in The Diary of a Young Girl as we strive for a world filled with acceptance, belonging, and healing,” said John D. Goldsmith, President of the Board of Trustees of the Anne Frank Fonds. “Anne believed that everyone had a role to play in making the world more humane and more just. This new program will help to keep her message alive.”
Teachers can apply for a grant through August 1. Winners will be announced in September.
