As hostility brews between Russia and Ukraine in the East, prompting the attention of the West, students at Potomac Falls have found themselves more curious than ever regarding current events. Social Studies teacher Ms. Kristin Bird’s father, Dr. Richard Frucht, made his way into social studies classrooms between April 22nd and 24th, answering questions from curious students and speaking of his experiences and expertise regarding Eastern Europe.
Dr. Frucht is an expert on Eastern European studies, having educated himself in both the classroom and real-life settings. During his career, Dr. Frucht lived for a year behind the Iron Curtain (1977-78), working on his dissertation. In the past 35 years, often with student groups, Dr. Fruchts has traveled to and from Eastern Europe. He worked with cities and regional governments to move from communism to democracy in 1990, writing a multitude of books about his experience whilst choosing to teach about the topic, his true passion. “Getting the opportunity to visit Potomac Falls and ‘teach’ was a real treat,” said Dr. Frucht.
Current events regarding President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Russian nationalists’ hostility in Ukraine, and Crimea’s annexation to Russia have peaked the interest of Potomac Falls’ government students. Dr. Frucht fell in love with the region’s history and patterns years ago, especially in his senior year of college. “The more I read, the more I needed to read, and the more my horizons expanded,” said Dr. Frucht.
This was not Dr. Frucht’s first year talking to Potomac Falls’ students. His daughter, Ms. Bird, first asked him to speak to her history students last year, inviting him again this year to visit five of the social studies classrooms, as well as three of Social Studies teacher Mrs. Kira Hoilman’s classes. The students were able to have a Question and Answer session with Dr. Frucht about his expertise. “Most were concerned with what life was like in a communist state, because to someone living in America, what their counterparts faced in Eastern Europe is a shock,” said Dr. Frucht. He enjoyed the experience, being able to say hello to past students he had previously met as well as fueling the interest of the next generation. Students consistently asked questions and made comments as the lectures would go on. “The charge did not end when the bell rang,” said Dr. Frucht.
After his experience, Dr. Frucht recalls how terrific of a school Potomac Falls was to him; he compares the students to freshmen or sophomores in college, complementing their questions and interest. “One of the codes of a historian must be to tell the truth. I have always tried to keep to that credo,” said Dr. Frucht, in reference to his kind words. At the end of the day, Dr. Frucht hopes that his time with the students and the sharing of his experiences has sparked an interest in keeping history alive. “History does provide a roadmap that enables us to understand what is happening in the present and why.”