Margot Stern Strom

Margot Stern Strom is an international leader in education for justice and the preservation of democracy. Through her commitment to honoring the voices of teachers and students and her deep belief that history matters, she has enabled millions of students to study the Holocaust, to investigate root causes of racism, antisemitism and violence, and to realize their obligations and capabilities as citizens in a democracy.

Margot has been the Executive Director of Facing History and Ourselves since its inception. With her leadership, Facing History and Ourselves has become known worldwide for the high quality of its materials and programs for both students and teachers.

While teaching social studies at the Runkle School in Brookline, Massachusetts, and studying moral development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1976, Margot attended a conference on the Holocaust that inspired her to develop lessons and classroom resources that focused on this then-neglected history. It deepened her commitment to understanding issues of individual responsibility and moral decision-making in adolescents and defined her own learning about democracy.

Margot moved from the classroom to become project director and, in 1980, Executive Director of Facing History and Ourselves. Through pilot workshops and in consultation with scholars and teachers, she created the Facing History scope and sequence: the journey that students undertake to learn about the impact of history on their own lives and their futures.

Facing History teaches the skills of in-depth historical thinking in the belief that all students are capable of attaining the high standards necessary to engage deeply in its resource materials. Through using these skills, students develop greater understanding of the tragedies in humanity's history and greater compassion for others.

Margot has developed a world-class nonprofit organization that sets the standard for demonstrated impact, a strong business model, and outstanding leadership by board and staff. She has given children and adults a platform to discuss the most important moral questions we must all ask and answer.