2015 Conference Presenters - Creating a Peaceful School
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Toni Antoinette Johns, Ph.D. who answered the question, "How can we begin to utilize and respect different types of knowledge and styles of learning to inspire the learners of today so as to become the successful citizens of tomorrow?" One of the teachers commented on her presentation…” I very much enjoyed the keynote speaker. [She] is addressing topic that has been a void in current training for teachers—internalized oppression”. Thereafter she led a “...very deep and relevant discussion [group]”.
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BREAKOUT SESSION PRESENTERS:
JAN-ELISE SELLS, Author “Lost & Found, Healing Troubled Teens in Troubled Times”; Marriage, Family, Therapist (MFT); Lecturer/Supervisor, Graduate Counseling Program, St. Mary’s College
Creating Peace through Empathy—Introduction to Peer Counselor Training
To create peaceful schools, students and staff must first understand each other, requiring empathy. It takes skill to demonstrate empathy in order to build trust with those who need and seek support. Through the true stories she collected during the two decades she was a school counselor (at M.L. King Middle School in Berkeley) Sells will demonstrate countless examples of these skills, showing how they can help young people in crisis. She will use demonstrations, exercises, and role-play. This experiential session will introduce participants to effective Peer Counselor training. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Sells taught Peer Counseling, as well as Peer Mediation Skills at the middle school. Students who participated in the training found it extremely valuable. Some said it changed their lives. Many went on to do similar projects at Berkeley High School. Her book will be available for sale at this event. http://www.troubledteensintroubledtimes.com
MATTHEW LINZNER and RAUL ALCANTAR, Program Coordinators, Oakland Leaf, Oakland
Oakland Leaf Cypher Circles http://www.oaklandleaf.org
The Oakland Leaf Cypher Circles borrow from our ancestors’ ritual of sitting in circles as a way of fostering collaboration. Leaf Cyphers are based on Restorative Justice (RJ) circles and have always played a crucial role in the Oakland Leaf programs. Leaf Cyphers align with the first tier of Oakland Unified School District’s RJ practices and principles. RJ represents a shift in the way schools respond to behavior and promote discipline. The session will teach you how to run a cypher to ensure students have a voice, choice, feel connected and build community at the school. The session will be led by two Master Teachers who use Leaf Cyphers with their own programs. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Leaf Cypher Circles are an excellent tool to help build community and give students a voice, which is imperative for a peaceful school. Linzner and Alcantar have taught the Leaf Cypher Circles to their program staff, school staff and other community members.
SANDRA SPAULDING, Vice Principal, Olympic High School, Concord
Reaching At-Risk Youth
Some of the most fragile students are the at-risk youth. They may seem like hardened souls who are unreachable, but these are the very youth that need for us to look beyond it and find their true selves. Come learn some simple strategies to reach these youth and help them get that cap and gown! This session is most appropriate for educators at the high school level.
Spaulding has seventeen years of teaching experience with all but four of those years in urban schools or alternative education. She is now in her second year as an administrator in alternative education. Spaulding has served on the District Equity Advisory Team for four years.
JOSH TOCH, UC Berkeley Student, President, Mind Before Mouth, Berkeley
Mind Before Mouth
This session will be about how to end bullying in schools through teen empowerment. The session is most appropriate for high school educators and students but also useful for middle school educators.
Toch was born with cerebral palsy and has had to deal with bullying all of his life. He has spun his experiences into an anti-bullying message so powerful that it has captivated audiences, turned around a former tormentor and won him a prestigious award. He insists that having a disability does not mean he is disabled. Toch recently received a $36,000 award for visionary community service and is a student at UC Berkeley.
Information on Toch and his organization may be found at:
http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_26132112/morgan-hill-teen-wins-36-000-award-combating
MIGUEL CASTRO, English Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School, Concord
Community Cultural Wealth Model: Classroom Applications
This session will review the barriers in place that prevent Latino(a) students from achieving academic success and will also take a close look at the six parts of the Community Cultural Wealth Model. The CCW Model shifts the view of students of color from a deficit perspective to the assets that communities of color acquire and how teachers can access students’ hidden intellectualism. Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of the model, resources for classroom applications, and support for creating a culturally responsive classroom. While the focus will be on high school level applications, the model is appropriate for use at all grade levels and by student attendees.
Last semester Castro did research on the implementation of restorative justice circles and the impact that they have on student engagement and grades. Equity and access is an area of interest. He serves on the Guardians of Equity committee and receives training in this area and on positive behavior intervention systems. His goal is to help teachers create culturally responsive classrooms.
SARWANG PARIKH, Program Manager/ Community Counselor, and DOUGLAS LERCH, MFT Director/Psychotherapist, Seeds of Awareness, Petaluma http://www.seeds-of-awareness.org
Embodied Learning: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Creating an Emotionally Intelligent Society
In the Embodied Learning session participants will learn tools to regulate difficult emotions for themselves and others through mindfulness based social and emotional learning (MSEL) activities. Presenters will discuss the underpinning of mindfulness and emotional intelligence and how teaching from this foundation undoes shame, and promotes social equity through empathy. Activities will be experiential and body-based. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Seeds of Awareness is an organization that is committed towards shifting and infusing the current education culture with socio-emotional intelligence through building empathy and mindfulness. The current organizational mission is to bring such a curriculum and services to schools. At present it is used by educators and students at six schools across the North and East Bay.
THERESA GUY MORAN and STEPHANIE CHIN, Community Trainers, East Point Peace Academy, Oakland
Creating a School Culture of Peace http://eastpointpeace.org
In 2009, amidst increasing violence in Chicago, one high-school implemented a program that led to a 70% reduction of violence in one year. This session will combine a mini-workshop in the philosophy that grounded that campaign, and discuss some of the ways in which it was implemented. This philosophy has been used to create cultures of peace around the world, from prisons to schools to social movements. The session is most appropriate for middle and high school educators and student attendees.
The model used in Chicago (now up to 90% reduction in overall violence) is a replicable model, and a way to empower more students to be the leaders of a cultural change. Good education cannot happen until there is a culture that supports it. Violence, high suspension and drop-out rates, conflicts that students bring in from their home life, all contribute to a culture that is not conducive to quality education.
Moran is a graduate of Stanford Law School. She practiced for a number of years in Commercial Litigation then Labor and Employment law, and finally moved into a Corporate Transactions practice, making partner while working part-time after the birth of her first child. She found time to teach as an adjunct professor at UC Hastings Law School while in large firm practice. Eventually she moved in-house as general counsel for a start-up. Today Theresa is a Level I trainer and founding member of East Point Peace Academy. In addition to teaching Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation for community groups and inside California Department of Corrections’ facilities and San Francisco County Jail, she also leads the weekly meditation group inside San Francisco County's long term facility in San Bruno.
A graduate of UCSC, Chin has worked with Barrios Unidos' prison project in Santa Cruz, as well as Reach Fellowship in North Richmond to conduct programming in the jails concentrating on the power of culture to heal. Since then she has been interested in all ways of healing herself, the community, and our connection with the earth. She works to serve and heal the youth of Brewer Middle School in Oakland. Her tools for healing so far are Nonviolence principals and training, Hypnotherapy, music, and gardening.
LAURIE GROSSMAN, Independent Consultant/West Coast Program Manager, Inner Explorer
Changing School Environments: Using Mindful Awareness to Bring Peace to Educators, Classrooms and Students. https://www.innerexplorer.org
This session will demonstrate how mindful awareness can be incorporated into the school day to create peaceful, supportive learning environments. Mindful Awareness Social and Emotional Learning, MBSEL, facilitates brain changes enabling students and teachers to know peace from the inside, resulting in calmer classrooms and schoolyards, healthier relationships and more effective learning. Participants will experience mindful awareness, engage in activities, and learn the research including the neuroscience behind mindful awareness. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
“Game-changer” is a term we have heard used several times in reference to this work. We have seen and are incredibly excited about the potential for this work to make schools, safer, more peaceful, more fun, successful learning environments. Quoting an Oakland principal from several years ago…“What we need at our school is peace like you have on your campus.” She is now a superintendent and uses mindful awareness daily!
Inner Explorer has presented at the First International Mindfulness Conference in Rome 2013, The World Congress of Positive Psychology 2013, Wisdom 2.0 2014, and is scheduled as keynote speakers at the Montessori Foundation/IMC Conference 2014 and will be presenting research at the Bridging Hearts and Minds Conference 2015.
LAURA HALLBERG, Vice Principal, Riverview Middle School, Bay Point
KIM BARANEK, Safe Schools and Youth Director, Rainbow Community Center, Concord www.rainbowcc.org
How to be an LGBT Teacher Ally
Participants will gain an understanding of what it means to be an ally to LGBT students. Duties, rights and applicable laws related to being an ally will be covered. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss various scenarios and appropriate ways to respond. Appropriate for middle and high school educators.
Hallberg believes this is an important topic that often isn’t specifically addressed in the schools. She recently presented at the Welcoming Schools Summit organized by the Inclusive Schools Coalition of Central and East Contra Costa County and the Rainbow Community Center of Concord.
Baranek has been in the Bay Area for 17 years working in youth development and school wellness. She has led the Inclusive Schools Coalition for Rainbow Community Center over the past year and has just been made Safe Schools and Youth Director. Kim is passionate about supporting schools, organizations, and families in building environments where youth of all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations are not just accepted, but celebrated!
JEFF SLOAN, Executive Director, SEEDS Community Resolution Center, Berkeley http://www.seedscrc.org
Restorative Practices: The Key to Developing Emotional Intelligence in Students
Restorative Practices cultivate a culture in which everyone feels like they belong. They build a particular sense of community in which every member - students, teachers, parent volunteers, aides - feel that they are seen, heard and respected. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Restorative Practices support steady emotional growth in the understanding and skills needed to engage in authentic dialogue and problem solving. They emphasize fairness through understanding, and emotional self-awareness and self-management skills.
Assisting teachers and administrators in creating peaceful schools, resilient students and restorative campuses is an important part of SEEDS mission and vision. In addition to being the Executive Director of SEEDS Community Resolution Center, Sloan is a lecturer in Psychology, Human Development and Business Administration at the university level.
JAMIE MYRICK, Teacher Trainer, Kennedy High School, Richmond
Proactive Discipline as a Teaching Foundation
Every child is different and every student can learn when our lessons incorporate classroom management tools that don’t take away instructional time. This session will demonstrate how to use proactive discipline tools as a teaching foundation. In this manner every student learns. Teachers see progress with students regardless of culture, learning style or disabilities, because proactive discipline tools build community while the teacher focuses on instruction. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels.
Myrick’s goal is to bring equity to the learning process. She is officially a teacher trainer for the Bay Area Writing Project program and The National Center for Teaching Effectiveness Organization. In addition to participating in conferences she works a classroom instructor and professional storyteller. She believes that all too often we lose our most promising students, particularly in secondary school, based on issues related to financial/cultural/learning style/behavioral equity. Proactive discipline tools can address each of those issues without spending hours with forms or special treats. When classrooms and schools address these problems, communities transform.
DANIELLE ANCIN, Program Manager, Niroga Institute
Transformative Life Skills for Managing Chronic Stress and Trauma, in the Classroom and Beyond
Transformative Life Skills (TLS) is a trauma-informed, dynamic mindfulness practice that has been shown to lower students’ perceived stress, increase self-control, school engagement, emotional awareness, and distress tolerance, and alter attitudes towards violence. In this session, participants will experience TLS in their own bodies, learn about the effects of chronic stress, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences on the brain and behavior, and explore what it means to create inclusive and healing classroom and school environments.
This is important information to share because chronic stress and trauma are often misinterpreted factors that cause students difficulty engaging in learning and in many cases lead them to be excluded from the educational system. In order to make school inclusive and healing for all students, teachers and administrators must have awareness of the effects of childhood trauma and chronic stress as well as tools to help students deal with them. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Ancin and her colleagues have conducted trainings on TLS for educators, school administrators, and mental health professionals throughout the country and internationally. She regularly facilitates workshops on TLS, trauma, and vicarious trauma/self-care for school-based mental health staff and educators.
http://www.niroga.org
PANDORA BETHEA, English Teacher, Crespi Middle School, El Sobrante
Peace Through Poetry in the Classroom
How can we create a sense of community and inter-dependence in our classroom by using poetry as the tool? Poetry is a great way for youth to reflect on their individual identity as well as their contribution to the multicultural environment in the classroom. Through this position, we will explore what peace looks like in the classroom, as well as explore contemporary issues of justice and equity. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Bethea is a public school English teacher whose passion is exposing youth to language and poetry in particular. She has directed Poetry Out Loud programs and taught poetry workshops for youth at the Contra Costa Youth Summit. She is also a world-traveler, published poet, activist, single mother of two grown children pursuing their global dreams, and executive board member of Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center.
DAN REYNOLDS, English, Film Study & Human Rights Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School, Concord
Turning Your Energy (and/or Your Anger) Into Action
Today's youth are more connected than generations who have come before, but many still struggle with a time-worn problem - knowing how to use our concerns to successfully take action to affect change in the world around us. This session will focus on strategies and tactics for planning and taking action, and building movements, aimed at helping youth educate, advocate, agitate, and activate themselves and others. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Reynolds is a multiple award-winning teacher of English, Film Study, and Human Rights Education. He works closely with numerous student clubs and organizations and presents often at educational conferences, including the first Creating Peaceful Schools conference in 2012. Reynolds is a member of the Curriculum Study Commission of the Central California Council for the Teachers of English. He is also the Board Chair for the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center and Chair of the Education Committee for the Center.
KAY DERRICO, Volunteer Educator (Retired middle school teacher, MDUSD)
SUSAN HORROCKS, Volunteer Educator (Retired middle school administrator, MDUSD)
National Alliance on Mental Illness Contra Costa http://www.namicontracosta.org
Mental Health Issues and Students
Over 15% of students have mental health needs at any given time. To help address this issue, this session will provide: an overview of information about mental illness/mental health and students; classroom lesson plans and resources addressing students’ mental health challenges, suicide prevention, and reducing stigma; and ways participants can be a resource for students and their families. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Derrico and Horrocks are part of a mental health organization, National Alliance on Mental Illness Contra Costa (NAMI CC), whose mission includes educating and supporting those who live with mental illness and their family members. As family members and as educators, they have a particular interest in educating the public about mental illness and the help that is available. Over the years, they have provided dozens of educational experiences, ranging from lessons and activities for middle school students, presentations for high school students, workshops for school nurses and mental health providers, and informational PowerPoints for staffs of other nonprofits, such as the Contra Costa Crisis Center and the Hume Center.
MELISSA CESARIO, MFT, RDT, Program Director for School Based Services,
Fred Finch Youth Center, Oakland http://www.fredfinch.org/
Youth Voice = Change
This interactive workshop geared towards youth will provide creative ways to support inclusive, safe, and accepting schools. It will begin to identify positive voice, expression, and strategies to promote (and celebrate) LGBTQ youth and families. Through use of flash mobs, theater, and visual arts, participants will be able to explore opportunities to support LGBTQ youth and families. Most appropriate for high school educators and student attendees.
Cesario supervises school based mental health programs and provides mental health consultation, workshops, and collaboration to district and school staff. She is a member of the Inclusive Schools Coalition and has enjoyed providing direct services such as Q-Scouts group, Inclusive projects, and teacher workshops. Cesario is committed to creating safe, accepting schools for all students and hopes for freedom to be ourselves.
JAN-ELISE SELLS, Author “Lost & Found, Healing Troubled Teens in Troubled Times”; Marriage, Family, Therapist (MFT); Lecturer/Supervisor, Graduate Counseling Program, St. Mary’s College
Creating Peace through Empathy—Introduction to Peer Counselor Training
To create peaceful schools, students and staff must first understand each other, requiring empathy. It takes skill to demonstrate empathy in order to build trust with those who need and seek support. Through the true stories she collected during the two decades she was a school counselor (at M.L. King Middle School in Berkeley) Sells will demonstrate countless examples of these skills, showing how they can help young people in crisis. She will use demonstrations, exercises, and role-play. This experiential session will introduce participants to effective Peer Counselor training. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Sells taught Peer Counseling, as well as Peer Mediation Skills at the middle school. Students who participated in the training found it extremely valuable. Some said it changed their lives. Many went on to do similar projects at Berkeley High School. Her book will be available for sale at this event. http://www.troubledteensintroubledtimes.com
MATTHEW LINZNER and RAUL ALCANTAR, Program Coordinators, Oakland Leaf, Oakland
Oakland Leaf Cypher Circles http://www.oaklandleaf.org
The Oakland Leaf Cypher Circles borrow from our ancestors’ ritual of sitting in circles as a way of fostering collaboration. Leaf Cyphers are based on Restorative Justice (RJ) circles and have always played a crucial role in the Oakland Leaf programs. Leaf Cyphers align with the first tier of Oakland Unified School District’s RJ practices and principles. RJ represents a shift in the way schools respond to behavior and promote discipline. The session will teach you how to run a cypher to ensure students have a voice, choice, feel connected and build community at the school. The session will be led by two Master Teachers who use Leaf Cyphers with their own programs. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Leaf Cypher Circles are an excellent tool to help build community and give students a voice, which is imperative for a peaceful school. Linzner and Alcantar have taught the Leaf Cypher Circles to their program staff, school staff and other community members.
SANDRA SPAULDING, Vice Principal, Olympic High School, Concord
Reaching At-Risk Youth
Some of the most fragile students are the at-risk youth. They may seem like hardened souls who are unreachable, but these are the very youth that need for us to look beyond it and find their true selves. Come learn some simple strategies to reach these youth and help them get that cap and gown! This session is most appropriate for educators at the high school level.
Spaulding has seventeen years of teaching experience with all but four of those years in urban schools or alternative education. She is now in her second year as an administrator in alternative education. Spaulding has served on the District Equity Advisory Team for four years.
JOSH TOCH, UC Berkeley Student, President, Mind Before Mouth, Berkeley
Mind Before Mouth
This session will be about how to end bullying in schools through teen empowerment. The session is most appropriate for high school educators and students but also useful for middle school educators.
Toch was born with cerebral palsy and has had to deal with bullying all of his life. He has spun his experiences into an anti-bullying message so powerful that it has captivated audiences, turned around a former tormentor and won him a prestigious award. He insists that having a disability does not mean he is disabled. Toch recently received a $36,000 award for visionary community service and is a student at UC Berkeley.
Information on Toch and his organization may be found at:
http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_26132112/morgan-hill-teen-wins-36-000-award-combating
MIGUEL CASTRO, English Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School, Concord
Community Cultural Wealth Model: Classroom Applications
This session will review the barriers in place that prevent Latino(a) students from achieving academic success and will also take a close look at the six parts of the Community Cultural Wealth Model. The CCW Model shifts the view of students of color from a deficit perspective to the assets that communities of color acquire and how teachers can access students’ hidden intellectualism. Participants will leave this session with a better understanding of the model, resources for classroom applications, and support for creating a culturally responsive classroom. While the focus will be on high school level applications, the model is appropriate for use at all grade levels and by student attendees.
Last semester Castro did research on the implementation of restorative justice circles and the impact that they have on student engagement and grades. Equity and access is an area of interest. He serves on the Guardians of Equity committee and receives training in this area and on positive behavior intervention systems. His goal is to help teachers create culturally responsive classrooms.
SARWANG PARIKH, Program Manager/ Community Counselor, and DOUGLAS LERCH, MFT Director/Psychotherapist, Seeds of Awareness, Petaluma http://www.seeds-of-awareness.org
Embodied Learning: The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Creating an Emotionally Intelligent Society
In the Embodied Learning session participants will learn tools to regulate difficult emotions for themselves and others through mindfulness based social and emotional learning (MSEL) activities. Presenters will discuss the underpinning of mindfulness and emotional intelligence and how teaching from this foundation undoes shame, and promotes social equity through empathy. Activities will be experiential and body-based. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Seeds of Awareness is an organization that is committed towards shifting and infusing the current education culture with socio-emotional intelligence through building empathy and mindfulness. The current organizational mission is to bring such a curriculum and services to schools. At present it is used by educators and students at six schools across the North and East Bay.
THERESA GUY MORAN and STEPHANIE CHIN, Community Trainers, East Point Peace Academy, Oakland
Creating a School Culture of Peace http://eastpointpeace.org
In 2009, amidst increasing violence in Chicago, one high-school implemented a program that led to a 70% reduction of violence in one year. This session will combine a mini-workshop in the philosophy that grounded that campaign, and discuss some of the ways in which it was implemented. This philosophy has been used to create cultures of peace around the world, from prisons to schools to social movements. The session is most appropriate for middle and high school educators and student attendees.
The model used in Chicago (now up to 90% reduction in overall violence) is a replicable model, and a way to empower more students to be the leaders of a cultural change. Good education cannot happen until there is a culture that supports it. Violence, high suspension and drop-out rates, conflicts that students bring in from their home life, all contribute to a culture that is not conducive to quality education.
Moran is a graduate of Stanford Law School. She practiced for a number of years in Commercial Litigation then Labor and Employment law, and finally moved into a Corporate Transactions practice, making partner while working part-time after the birth of her first child. She found time to teach as an adjunct professor at UC Hastings Law School while in large firm practice. Eventually she moved in-house as general counsel for a start-up. Today Theresa is a Level I trainer and founding member of East Point Peace Academy. In addition to teaching Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation for community groups and inside California Department of Corrections’ facilities and San Francisco County Jail, she also leads the weekly meditation group inside San Francisco County's long term facility in San Bruno.
A graduate of UCSC, Chin has worked with Barrios Unidos' prison project in Santa Cruz, as well as Reach Fellowship in North Richmond to conduct programming in the jails concentrating on the power of culture to heal. Since then she has been interested in all ways of healing herself, the community, and our connection with the earth. She works to serve and heal the youth of Brewer Middle School in Oakland. Her tools for healing so far are Nonviolence principals and training, Hypnotherapy, music, and gardening.
LAURIE GROSSMAN, Independent Consultant/West Coast Program Manager, Inner Explorer
Changing School Environments: Using Mindful Awareness to Bring Peace to Educators, Classrooms and Students. https://www.innerexplorer.org
This session will demonstrate how mindful awareness can be incorporated into the school day to create peaceful, supportive learning environments. Mindful Awareness Social and Emotional Learning, MBSEL, facilitates brain changes enabling students and teachers to know peace from the inside, resulting in calmer classrooms and schoolyards, healthier relationships and more effective learning. Participants will experience mindful awareness, engage in activities, and learn the research including the neuroscience behind mindful awareness. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
“Game-changer” is a term we have heard used several times in reference to this work. We have seen and are incredibly excited about the potential for this work to make schools, safer, more peaceful, more fun, successful learning environments. Quoting an Oakland principal from several years ago…“What we need at our school is peace like you have on your campus.” She is now a superintendent and uses mindful awareness daily!
Inner Explorer has presented at the First International Mindfulness Conference in Rome 2013, The World Congress of Positive Psychology 2013, Wisdom 2.0 2014, and is scheduled as keynote speakers at the Montessori Foundation/IMC Conference 2014 and will be presenting research at the Bridging Hearts and Minds Conference 2015.
LAURA HALLBERG, Vice Principal, Riverview Middle School, Bay Point
KIM BARANEK, Safe Schools and Youth Director, Rainbow Community Center, Concord www.rainbowcc.org
How to be an LGBT Teacher Ally
Participants will gain an understanding of what it means to be an ally to LGBT students. Duties, rights and applicable laws related to being an ally will be covered. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss various scenarios and appropriate ways to respond. Appropriate for middle and high school educators.
Hallberg believes this is an important topic that often isn’t specifically addressed in the schools. She recently presented at the Welcoming Schools Summit organized by the Inclusive Schools Coalition of Central and East Contra Costa County and the Rainbow Community Center of Concord.
Baranek has been in the Bay Area for 17 years working in youth development and school wellness. She has led the Inclusive Schools Coalition for Rainbow Community Center over the past year and has just been made Safe Schools and Youth Director. Kim is passionate about supporting schools, organizations, and families in building environments where youth of all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations are not just accepted, but celebrated!
JEFF SLOAN, Executive Director, SEEDS Community Resolution Center, Berkeley http://www.seedscrc.org
Restorative Practices: The Key to Developing Emotional Intelligence in Students
Restorative Practices cultivate a culture in which everyone feels like they belong. They build a particular sense of community in which every member - students, teachers, parent volunteers, aides - feel that they are seen, heard and respected. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Restorative Practices support steady emotional growth in the understanding and skills needed to engage in authentic dialogue and problem solving. They emphasize fairness through understanding, and emotional self-awareness and self-management skills.
Assisting teachers and administrators in creating peaceful schools, resilient students and restorative campuses is an important part of SEEDS mission and vision. In addition to being the Executive Director of SEEDS Community Resolution Center, Sloan is a lecturer in Psychology, Human Development and Business Administration at the university level.
JAMIE MYRICK, Teacher Trainer, Kennedy High School, Richmond
Proactive Discipline as a Teaching Foundation
Every child is different and every student can learn when our lessons incorporate classroom management tools that don’t take away instructional time. This session will demonstrate how to use proactive discipline tools as a teaching foundation. In this manner every student learns. Teachers see progress with students regardless of culture, learning style or disabilities, because proactive discipline tools build community while the teacher focuses on instruction. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels.
Myrick’s goal is to bring equity to the learning process. She is officially a teacher trainer for the Bay Area Writing Project program and The National Center for Teaching Effectiveness Organization. In addition to participating in conferences she works a classroom instructor and professional storyteller. She believes that all too often we lose our most promising students, particularly in secondary school, based on issues related to financial/cultural/learning style/behavioral equity. Proactive discipline tools can address each of those issues without spending hours with forms or special treats. When classrooms and schools address these problems, communities transform.
DANIELLE ANCIN, Program Manager, Niroga Institute
Transformative Life Skills for Managing Chronic Stress and Trauma, in the Classroom and Beyond
Transformative Life Skills (TLS) is a trauma-informed, dynamic mindfulness practice that has been shown to lower students’ perceived stress, increase self-control, school engagement, emotional awareness, and distress tolerance, and alter attitudes towards violence. In this session, participants will experience TLS in their own bodies, learn about the effects of chronic stress, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences on the brain and behavior, and explore what it means to create inclusive and healing classroom and school environments.
This is important information to share because chronic stress and trauma are often misinterpreted factors that cause students difficulty engaging in learning and in many cases lead them to be excluded from the educational system. In order to make school inclusive and healing for all students, teachers and administrators must have awareness of the effects of childhood trauma and chronic stress as well as tools to help students deal with them. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Ancin and her colleagues have conducted trainings on TLS for educators, school administrators, and mental health professionals throughout the country and internationally. She regularly facilitates workshops on TLS, trauma, and vicarious trauma/self-care for school-based mental health staff and educators.
http://www.niroga.org
PANDORA BETHEA, English Teacher, Crespi Middle School, El Sobrante
Peace Through Poetry in the Classroom
How can we create a sense of community and inter-dependence in our classroom by using poetry as the tool? Poetry is a great way for youth to reflect on their individual identity as well as their contribution to the multicultural environment in the classroom. Through this position, we will explore what peace looks like in the classroom, as well as explore contemporary issues of justice and equity. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Bethea is a public school English teacher whose passion is exposing youth to language and poetry in particular. She has directed Poetry Out Loud programs and taught poetry workshops for youth at the Contra Costa Youth Summit. She is also a world-traveler, published poet, activist, single mother of two grown children pursuing their global dreams, and executive board member of Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center.
DAN REYNOLDS, English, Film Study & Human Rights Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School, Concord
Turning Your Energy (and/or Your Anger) Into Action
Today's youth are more connected than generations who have come before, but many still struggle with a time-worn problem - knowing how to use our concerns to successfully take action to affect change in the world around us. This session will focus on strategies and tactics for planning and taking action, and building movements, aimed at helping youth educate, advocate, agitate, and activate themselves and others. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Reynolds is a multiple award-winning teacher of English, Film Study, and Human Rights Education. He works closely with numerous student clubs and organizations and presents often at educational conferences, including the first Creating Peaceful Schools conference in 2012. Reynolds is a member of the Curriculum Study Commission of the Central California Council for the Teachers of English. He is also the Board Chair for the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center and Chair of the Education Committee for the Center.
KAY DERRICO, Volunteer Educator (Retired middle school teacher, MDUSD)
SUSAN HORROCKS, Volunteer Educator (Retired middle school administrator, MDUSD)
National Alliance on Mental Illness Contra Costa http://www.namicontracosta.org
Mental Health Issues and Students
Over 15% of students have mental health needs at any given time. To help address this issue, this session will provide: an overview of information about mental illness/mental health and students; classroom lesson plans and resources addressing students’ mental health challenges, suicide prevention, and reducing stigma; and ways participants can be a resource for students and their families. Appropriate for educators of all grade levels and student attendees.
Derrico and Horrocks are part of a mental health organization, National Alliance on Mental Illness Contra Costa (NAMI CC), whose mission includes educating and supporting those who live with mental illness and their family members. As family members and as educators, they have a particular interest in educating the public about mental illness and the help that is available. Over the years, they have provided dozens of educational experiences, ranging from lessons and activities for middle school students, presentations for high school students, workshops for school nurses and mental health providers, and informational PowerPoints for staffs of other nonprofits, such as the Contra Costa Crisis Center and the Hume Center.
MELISSA CESARIO, MFT, RDT, Program Director for School Based Services,
Fred Finch Youth Center, Oakland http://www.fredfinch.org/
Youth Voice = Change
This interactive workshop geared towards youth will provide creative ways to support inclusive, safe, and accepting schools. It will begin to identify positive voice, expression, and strategies to promote (and celebrate) LGBTQ youth and families. Through use of flash mobs, theater, and visual arts, participants will be able to explore opportunities to support LGBTQ youth and families. Most appropriate for high school educators and student attendees.
Cesario supervises school based mental health programs and provides mental health consultation, workshops, and collaboration to district and school staff. She is a member of the Inclusive Schools Coalition and has enjoyed providing direct services such as Q-Scouts group, Inclusive projects, and teacher workshops. Cesario is committed to creating safe, accepting schools for all students and hopes for freedom to be ourselves.
2014 Conference Presenters - Creating a Peaceful School
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
VICTOR RIOS, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Barbara, motivational speaker and author of "Poverty, Gangs and a Ph.D." and "Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys ."
Rios’ presentation: IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE A DOCTOR: THE POWER OF EDUCATORS TO MOTIVATE ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
Rios grew up in Oakland, California in a single parent household, in poverty and on welfare. He joined a gang at the age of thirteen and by age sixteen he had dropped out of school and had been incarcerated several times. Having witnessed the tragic murder of his best friend by gang rivals, Rios hit a critical juncture in life at which point he made the decision to transform.
With the support of educators and mentors, Victor redirected his attitude towards life, and returned to school to eventually acquire a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He uses his personal story, and 10 years of research experience, to discuss how personal and institutional "illusions" contribute to academic failure.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
LAURA DELEHUNT, Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney and
KERRY SLOSS, Investigator, Contra Costa District Attorney’s office
A Partnership to Combat Bullying
This session will address how law enforcement and educators can work together to combat bullying and foster a safe learning environment for all students, regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. Participants will learn about recent cyberbullying laws that allow school officials to respond to harassing conduct in a constructive manner and will be encouraged to participate in the discussion by sharing their experiences and receiving feedback from the presenter.
About the Presenters: Delehunt and Sloss have specialized backgrounds on this topic having presented this information throughout the County and in a courtroom setting.
JAN-ELISE SELLS, M.Ed., M.A., M.F.T. Author/Counselor/Lecturer
Participating in The Albatrossian Greeting Ceremony: a cross-cultural simulation
The Albatross is an experiential learning exercise developed by Peace Corp trainers – a cross-cultural simulation with “actors” who will take participants through a greeting ceremony in the Albatross culture. Participants will have the opportunity to experience this different culture, and then discuss their experience with an anthropologist (played by the presenter).
About the Presenter: Sells is a licensed psychotherapist and a Lecturer/Supervisor in the Graduate Counseling Program at St. Mary’s College. She is the author of “Lost and Found, Healing Troubled Teens in Troubled Times” which chronicles the unique counseling program she developed in 1986. It consists of individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) and was used in one of the three inner-city public middle schools in Berkeley: Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
FRANKLIN HYSTEN – Senior Associate, Be The Change Consulting
Building Intentional Communities
This session explores strategies to establish a school culture based on core values, and a social justice analysis. Given the right social conditions every young person has the opportunity to flourish. Building this environment is a complicated and nuanced art – one that requires cultural awareness, knowledge of social justice principles, and the practice of deep democracy. Together we will explore the complexities of social context, cultural competency and curriculum selection to build intentional communities.
About the Presenter: Hysten is committed to creating transformative experiences that strengthen youth and their communities. Drawing on 18 years of experience developing leaders in youth development, philanthropy and government -based organizations, he supports Be the Change Consulting’s organizational consulting portfolio, which includes program design, logic modeling, and strategic planning for organizations state-wide. He also manages the youth development portfolio for high-school aged-youth, with a focus on restorative practices. His strong background in youth development has afforded him the opportunity to train and coach emerging non-profit professionals and share best practices with staff, managers and funders.
HOLLY FULTON – Teacher/Facilitator, The Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery
Using the Film ‘Traces of the Trade’ in the High School Classroom
Participants will watch part of a 90 minute documentary film about the Northeast’s complicity in the slave trade. They will then hear about and discuss ways to facilitate class discussions and other exercises addressing the film and history it highlights. The films shows a group of ten cousins retracing the slave trading triangle taken by their ancestors, the De Wolfs, the largest slave trading family business in the U.S. This session can help faculty with more ideas on facilitating sensitive classroom dialogues on topics like slavery, racism, privilege and connection with ancestors.
About the Presenter: Fulton is one of the cousins who participated in the making of this film. She is a high-school teacher who takes every opportunity to facilitate discussions on the film and its implications. Fulton will also be facilitating a multi-week class/discussion group White People Challenging Racism: Moving From Talk to Action at the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center this coming Spring.
DEBORAH GODNER – Teacher, Berkeley High School;
LGBTQIA Panel Discussion
Creating a classroom and school that is truly safe for and inclusive of LGBTQ youth requires a commitment to unlearning our own homophobia/transphobia as well as providing the ongoing personal and institutional support teens need from us. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to deepen your own understanding and commitment to making school a place where LGBTAQ youth and others impacted by homophobia can thrive and teacher and student allies have a clear role in promoting justice and peace. It will include a panel of high school students and young adults who will share their experiences. A Q & A will follow.
About the Presenter: Godner is a History teacher at Berkeley High School. She came “out” to her students and co-workers and has much relevant personal experience to share. She serves as the Gay Student Alliance Supervisor at Berkeley High School.
TYRONE BOTELHO and YEJIDE ANKOBIA – SEEDS Community Resolution Center;
From Punitive to Restorative: Transforming School Culture with Restorative Justice
This presentation will provide a brief introduction to restorative justice principles and practices and how these can be effectively applied in a school setting. Changing school culture is the goal, not simply reducing school suspensions. It will address the Disproportional Minority Contact (DMC) in school discipline and how to disrupt the school to prison pipeline. The goal will be an understanding of the SEEDS Restorative Justice model of program sustainability.
About the Presenters:
Ankobia is the Restorative Justice District Coordinator for the Hayward Unified School District. Prior to that she worked for Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY), as Dean of Restorative Discipline and School Culture at Castlemont High School. This was a collaborative effort between RJOY and Oakland USD. Ankobia studied journalism at SFSU and worked as a reporter for the Oakland Tribune and the San Jose Mercury News.
Botelho is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, the first in his family to earn a college degree. His degree is in Peace and Conflict Studies with an emphasis on Conflict Resolution and a minor in Global Poverty and Practice. He is currently working on creating sustainable restorative justice programs for various school districts and developing the programmatic infrastructure for the Restorative Justice program at SEEDS. He is also the Co-Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Center at UC Berkeley where he creates and facilitates trainings and consults departments that are interested in adopting restorative practices.
CORINNE CHRISTIANSEN, Teacher, New Leaf Leadership Academy;
Using the Hero’s Journey as a lesson in Resilience
Participants will learn about the Hero’s Journey archetype and how to use it individually and collectively as a guide to overcoming challenges and obtaining happiness and success. Participants will experience a mini – Hero’s Journey through hands-on activities, short readings and small group discussions. Participants will leave the session with materials and resources to help themselves and others use the Hero’s Journey as a guide to academic, social and economic success.
About the Presenters: Christiansen is a teacher at the New Leaf Leadership Academy which is part of Vicente Martinez High School in Martinez. She has made this presentation to multiple venues throughout that school district and at the International Conference on Transformational Learning. Rona Zolliger and several of her students will help with the presentation.
CRISTINA MEDINA, Independent Consultant
What Does a Multi-Cultural Classroom Sound and Look Like?
The presenter will provide suggestions for strategies, guidelines and tools that will promote a truly multi-cultural classroom where all children are valued equally for their life experience. You will learn how children can be engaged in learning through the use of music, visual aids, literature and individual home histories.
About the Presenter: Medina is an independent consultant and parent liaison at Skyline High School with ten years of experience in the classrooms of the Oakland Unified School District. She has made this presentation to the Oakland Black Educators Conference for several years and has a passion for passing on her knowledge, especially to those who feel unable to provide cross-cultural learning in their classrooms.
IAN HARRIS, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Never Give Up! Ama’s Journey to Freedom on the Underground Railroad (by KESA KIVEL)
This 28 minute film of historical fiction is set in the 1850s. It provides excellent, well-researched content on slavery in the U.S. as well as on everyday acts of resistance by enslaved people. The richly textured, innovative film breathes life into history by weaving live footage of students acting out the story of an enslaved girl named Ama with compelling original illustrations, historical photographs, and a powerful emotional music score. Never Give Up! makes history relevant and relatable. Harris will lead a discussion of the film following the screening.
Kesa Kivel is a Los Angeles-based film director, artist as well as an educator and activist engaged in social justice issues, especially those concerning girls and women. Since 2003 she has volunteered to teach feminist issues to middle school girls at the YWCA in Santa Monica, California, offering a broad-based curriculum in an interactive format.
About the Presenter: Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies program at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where he was a professor Education Policy and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents, and was the keynote speaker at the first annual Creating a Peaceful School Conference. He was most instrumental in getting this annual conference up and running.
BETTY McEADY, Ed.D., Brandman University
Consciousness-in-Action: Cultivating Practices for Making Peace and Promoting Multicultural Empathy in Everyday Life.
This session involves, at an introductory level, hands-on experiential communication skills that foster connecting with others, effective listening, sharing culture, and laughing while cultivating conscious behaviors towards peacemaking, anti-racism, emotional and embodied empathy, and conflict resolution in the classroom, family, community, and/or among teaching colleagues and school administrators. Participants and presenter will discuss the multisensory nature of the interactive communication processes and their implications for cultivating peacemaking and empathy in multicultural contexts.
About the Presenter: McEady is a 45-year veteran teacher and university professor. She has found that her ongoing research in applied teaching and learning in multicultural contexts promotes personal and professional growth and community improvement—in schools and beyond. She has presented on this topic to professionals at all grade levels, elementary to college/university.
TASNEEM MOHAMED, Teacher FAME Charter School
The Muslim Student Experience: The Next Chapter in Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
The presenter will discuss the diversity in the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Muslim community in the Bay Area. She will give a brief overview of the Islamic traditions influencing the daily choices and attitudes, and how they present in the classroom using examples and brief case studies on the experiences of Muslim students from local public schools. The presenter will also discuss her own experience as a Muslim professional working in education and mental health. New aspects of cultural competency are emerging for teachers and administrators to consider. All need to be prepared so as to create an open environment for parents and students and continue to contribute to the success of students. The influx of Muslim refugees and immigrants means that the paradigm for culturally sensitive education must change.
About the Presenter: Mohamed is a Muslim, a mental health professional and teacher at the FAME Charter School in Fremont. She has worked extensively with her peers to understand Islamic teachings and how they impact the culture of the local community. She speaks regularly to groups in the area on this issue and in particular a recent forum which addressed the impact of 9/11 on those in the Muslim and Sikh communities.
JOREE ROSENBLATT, Independent Consultant/Counseling Intern
Mindfulness in Education
Participants in this session will learn tools to create a mindful classroom environment and thereby help their students to develop compassion/heartfulness and understanding of others, honoring and valuing cultural differences. Presenter will also provide an introduction to mindfulness, a summary of scientific reports of its benefits in classrooms as well as techniques for implementation.
About the Presenter: Rosenblatt has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and is working on her licensure towards becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has done extensive training in Mindfulness and has subsequently developed her own Mindfulness curriculum that is offered to adults, through individual sessions or in a 6 week course. She also teaches Mindfulness to students at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek, where she is the therapist onsite. This will be her second year to present at this conference.
AMY PENNINGTON, Art Specialist
Drawing the Figure in Proportion and Cultural Dress
This session is for participants interested in presenting an art lesson to their students (4th grade and above) so that they may learn about their own cultures and share their stories and cultural information to their classmates.
About the Presenter: Pennington is an Art teacher at Buena Vista Elementary School. She recently completed her M.A. in Art Education on the thesis topic of teaching in a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic class wherein the research question “How might student-centered and culturally-specific art lessons engage students and increase mutual understanding and acceptance?” She has experience teaching Art to both children and adults.
KAZU HAGA, Independent Consultant
Dr. King’s Nonviolence and Education
This session will provide a brief overview of the Kingian Nonviolence philosophy and how it has been implemented in school settings, including information about a high school in Chicago that has lowered its rate of violence by 90%. Participants will join in interactive activities that analyze conflict and the roots of violence, including conflict across cultures and demographics.
About the Presenter: Haga is a coordinator for the East Point Peace Academy in Oakland. He has been conducting trainings in Kingian Nonviolence since 2009, and has been doing so full-time since 2011, training thousands of individuals including school teachers, faculty, students, prison inmates, mediation teachers, activists and gang-involved youth. He began his interest in 1998 after participating in social justice movements and studying nonviolence in South Asia.
KIM BARANEK, Youth Advocacy Director
School Staff as Allies: Building Partnerships with Families to Support LGBTQ Students
In this session, we will discuss the important role that school staff play in promoting LGBTQ youth acceptance and inclusion. Recommendations for engaging families of LGBTQ youth who are working toward acceptance will be shared. Specific steps that school staff can take to be allies to LGBTQ youth and families will be highlighted.
About the Presenter: Baranek grew up in Detroit and moved to the Bay Area in the 90s. She earned a Masters in Public Health from SFSU and now serves as the Youth Advocacy Collaborative Director & Inclusive Schools Coordinator for the Rainbow Community Center in Concord. Her experience includes coordinating efforts to promote healthier school environments for children and young adults. Part of her research has been on the impact of discrimination and stigma on same-sex couples and the role of meditation & yoga in youth violence prevention. www.rainbowcc.org
VICTOR RIOS, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor of Sociology, UC Santa Barbara, motivational speaker and author of "Poverty, Gangs and a Ph.D." and "Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys ."
Rios’ presentation: IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO MAKE A DOCTOR: THE POWER OF EDUCATORS TO MOTIVATE ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
Rios grew up in Oakland, California in a single parent household, in poverty and on welfare. He joined a gang at the age of thirteen and by age sixteen he had dropped out of school and had been incarcerated several times. Having witnessed the tragic murder of his best friend by gang rivals, Rios hit a critical juncture in life at which point he made the decision to transform.
With the support of educators and mentors, Victor redirected his attitude towards life, and returned to school to eventually acquire a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He uses his personal story, and 10 years of research experience, to discuss how personal and institutional "illusions" contribute to academic failure.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
LAURA DELEHUNT, Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney and
KERRY SLOSS, Investigator, Contra Costa District Attorney’s office
A Partnership to Combat Bullying
This session will address how law enforcement and educators can work together to combat bullying and foster a safe learning environment for all students, regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. Participants will learn about recent cyberbullying laws that allow school officials to respond to harassing conduct in a constructive manner and will be encouraged to participate in the discussion by sharing their experiences and receiving feedback from the presenter.
About the Presenters: Delehunt and Sloss have specialized backgrounds on this topic having presented this information throughout the County and in a courtroom setting.
JAN-ELISE SELLS, M.Ed., M.A., M.F.T. Author/Counselor/Lecturer
Participating in The Albatrossian Greeting Ceremony: a cross-cultural simulation
The Albatross is an experiential learning exercise developed by Peace Corp trainers – a cross-cultural simulation with “actors” who will take participants through a greeting ceremony in the Albatross culture. Participants will have the opportunity to experience this different culture, and then discuss their experience with an anthropologist (played by the presenter).
About the Presenter: Sells is a licensed psychotherapist and a Lecturer/Supervisor in the Graduate Counseling Program at St. Mary’s College. She is the author of “Lost and Found, Healing Troubled Teens in Troubled Times” which chronicles the unique counseling program she developed in 1986. It consists of individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) and was used in one of the three inner-city public middle schools in Berkeley: Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
FRANKLIN HYSTEN – Senior Associate, Be The Change Consulting
Building Intentional Communities
This session explores strategies to establish a school culture based on core values, and a social justice analysis. Given the right social conditions every young person has the opportunity to flourish. Building this environment is a complicated and nuanced art – one that requires cultural awareness, knowledge of social justice principles, and the practice of deep democracy. Together we will explore the complexities of social context, cultural competency and curriculum selection to build intentional communities.
About the Presenter: Hysten is committed to creating transformative experiences that strengthen youth and their communities. Drawing on 18 years of experience developing leaders in youth development, philanthropy and government -based organizations, he supports Be the Change Consulting’s organizational consulting portfolio, which includes program design, logic modeling, and strategic planning for organizations state-wide. He also manages the youth development portfolio for high-school aged-youth, with a focus on restorative practices. His strong background in youth development has afforded him the opportunity to train and coach emerging non-profit professionals and share best practices with staff, managers and funders.
HOLLY FULTON – Teacher/Facilitator, The Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery
Using the Film ‘Traces of the Trade’ in the High School Classroom
Participants will watch part of a 90 minute documentary film about the Northeast’s complicity in the slave trade. They will then hear about and discuss ways to facilitate class discussions and other exercises addressing the film and history it highlights. The films shows a group of ten cousins retracing the slave trading triangle taken by their ancestors, the De Wolfs, the largest slave trading family business in the U.S. This session can help faculty with more ideas on facilitating sensitive classroom dialogues on topics like slavery, racism, privilege and connection with ancestors.
About the Presenter: Fulton is one of the cousins who participated in the making of this film. She is a high-school teacher who takes every opportunity to facilitate discussions on the film and its implications. Fulton will also be facilitating a multi-week class/discussion group White People Challenging Racism: Moving From Talk to Action at the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center this coming Spring.
DEBORAH GODNER – Teacher, Berkeley High School;
LGBTQIA Panel Discussion
Creating a classroom and school that is truly safe for and inclusive of LGBTQ youth requires a commitment to unlearning our own homophobia/transphobia as well as providing the ongoing personal and institutional support teens need from us. This workshop will provide you with an opportunity to deepen your own understanding and commitment to making school a place where LGBTAQ youth and others impacted by homophobia can thrive and teacher and student allies have a clear role in promoting justice and peace. It will include a panel of high school students and young adults who will share their experiences. A Q & A will follow.
About the Presenter: Godner is a History teacher at Berkeley High School. She came “out” to her students and co-workers and has much relevant personal experience to share. She serves as the Gay Student Alliance Supervisor at Berkeley High School.
TYRONE BOTELHO and YEJIDE ANKOBIA – SEEDS Community Resolution Center;
From Punitive to Restorative: Transforming School Culture with Restorative Justice
This presentation will provide a brief introduction to restorative justice principles and practices and how these can be effectively applied in a school setting. Changing school culture is the goal, not simply reducing school suspensions. It will address the Disproportional Minority Contact (DMC) in school discipline and how to disrupt the school to prison pipeline. The goal will be an understanding of the SEEDS Restorative Justice model of program sustainability.
About the Presenters:
Ankobia is the Restorative Justice District Coordinator for the Hayward Unified School District. Prior to that she worked for Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY), as Dean of Restorative Discipline and School Culture at Castlemont High School. This was a collaborative effort between RJOY and Oakland USD. Ankobia studied journalism at SFSU and worked as a reporter for the Oakland Tribune and the San Jose Mercury News.
Botelho is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, the first in his family to earn a college degree. His degree is in Peace and Conflict Studies with an emphasis on Conflict Resolution and a minor in Global Poverty and Practice. He is currently working on creating sustainable restorative justice programs for various school districts and developing the programmatic infrastructure for the Restorative Justice program at SEEDS. He is also the Co-Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Center at UC Berkeley where he creates and facilitates trainings and consults departments that are interested in adopting restorative practices.
CORINNE CHRISTIANSEN, Teacher, New Leaf Leadership Academy;
Using the Hero’s Journey as a lesson in Resilience
Participants will learn about the Hero’s Journey archetype and how to use it individually and collectively as a guide to overcoming challenges and obtaining happiness and success. Participants will experience a mini – Hero’s Journey through hands-on activities, short readings and small group discussions. Participants will leave the session with materials and resources to help themselves and others use the Hero’s Journey as a guide to academic, social and economic success.
About the Presenters: Christiansen is a teacher at the New Leaf Leadership Academy which is part of Vicente Martinez High School in Martinez. She has made this presentation to multiple venues throughout that school district and at the International Conference on Transformational Learning. Rona Zolliger and several of her students will help with the presentation.
CRISTINA MEDINA, Independent Consultant
What Does a Multi-Cultural Classroom Sound and Look Like?
The presenter will provide suggestions for strategies, guidelines and tools that will promote a truly multi-cultural classroom where all children are valued equally for their life experience. You will learn how children can be engaged in learning through the use of music, visual aids, literature and individual home histories.
About the Presenter: Medina is an independent consultant and parent liaison at Skyline High School with ten years of experience in the classrooms of the Oakland Unified School District. She has made this presentation to the Oakland Black Educators Conference for several years and has a passion for passing on her knowledge, especially to those who feel unable to provide cross-cultural learning in their classrooms.
IAN HARRIS, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Never Give Up! Ama’s Journey to Freedom on the Underground Railroad (by KESA KIVEL)
This 28 minute film of historical fiction is set in the 1850s. It provides excellent, well-researched content on slavery in the U.S. as well as on everyday acts of resistance by enslaved people. The richly textured, innovative film breathes life into history by weaving live footage of students acting out the story of an enslaved girl named Ama with compelling original illustrations, historical photographs, and a powerful emotional music score. Never Give Up! makes history relevant and relatable. Harris will lead a discussion of the film following the screening.
Kesa Kivel is a Los Angeles-based film director, artist as well as an educator and activist engaged in social justice issues, especially those concerning girls and women. Since 2003 she has volunteered to teach feminist issues to middle school girls at the YWCA in Santa Monica, California, offering a broad-based curriculum in an interactive format.
About the Presenter: Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies program at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where he was a professor Education Policy and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents, and was the keynote speaker at the first annual Creating a Peaceful School Conference. He was most instrumental in getting this annual conference up and running.
BETTY McEADY, Ed.D., Brandman University
Consciousness-in-Action: Cultivating Practices for Making Peace and Promoting Multicultural Empathy in Everyday Life.
This session involves, at an introductory level, hands-on experiential communication skills that foster connecting with others, effective listening, sharing culture, and laughing while cultivating conscious behaviors towards peacemaking, anti-racism, emotional and embodied empathy, and conflict resolution in the classroom, family, community, and/or among teaching colleagues and school administrators. Participants and presenter will discuss the multisensory nature of the interactive communication processes and their implications for cultivating peacemaking and empathy in multicultural contexts.
About the Presenter: McEady is a 45-year veteran teacher and university professor. She has found that her ongoing research in applied teaching and learning in multicultural contexts promotes personal and professional growth and community improvement—in schools and beyond. She has presented on this topic to professionals at all grade levels, elementary to college/university.
TASNEEM MOHAMED, Teacher FAME Charter School
The Muslim Student Experience: The Next Chapter in Cultural Diversity in the Classroom
The presenter will discuss the diversity in the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Muslim community in the Bay Area. She will give a brief overview of the Islamic traditions influencing the daily choices and attitudes, and how they present in the classroom using examples and brief case studies on the experiences of Muslim students from local public schools. The presenter will also discuss her own experience as a Muslim professional working in education and mental health. New aspects of cultural competency are emerging for teachers and administrators to consider. All need to be prepared so as to create an open environment for parents and students and continue to contribute to the success of students. The influx of Muslim refugees and immigrants means that the paradigm for culturally sensitive education must change.
About the Presenter: Mohamed is a Muslim, a mental health professional and teacher at the FAME Charter School in Fremont. She has worked extensively with her peers to understand Islamic teachings and how they impact the culture of the local community. She speaks regularly to groups in the area on this issue and in particular a recent forum which addressed the impact of 9/11 on those in the Muslim and Sikh communities.
JOREE ROSENBLATT, Independent Consultant/Counseling Intern
Mindfulness in Education
Participants in this session will learn tools to create a mindful classroom environment and thereby help their students to develop compassion/heartfulness and understanding of others, honoring and valuing cultural differences. Presenter will also provide an introduction to mindfulness, a summary of scientific reports of its benefits in classrooms as well as techniques for implementation.
About the Presenter: Rosenblatt has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and is working on her licensure towards becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has done extensive training in Mindfulness and has subsequently developed her own Mindfulness curriculum that is offered to adults, through individual sessions or in a 6 week course. She also teaches Mindfulness to students at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek, where she is the therapist onsite. This will be her second year to present at this conference.
AMY PENNINGTON, Art Specialist
Drawing the Figure in Proportion and Cultural Dress
This session is for participants interested in presenting an art lesson to their students (4th grade and above) so that they may learn about their own cultures and share their stories and cultural information to their classmates.
About the Presenter: Pennington is an Art teacher at Buena Vista Elementary School. She recently completed her M.A. in Art Education on the thesis topic of teaching in a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic class wherein the research question “How might student-centered and culturally-specific art lessons engage students and increase mutual understanding and acceptance?” She has experience teaching Art to both children and adults.
KAZU HAGA, Independent Consultant
Dr. King’s Nonviolence and Education
This session will provide a brief overview of the Kingian Nonviolence philosophy and how it has been implemented in school settings, including information about a high school in Chicago that has lowered its rate of violence by 90%. Participants will join in interactive activities that analyze conflict and the roots of violence, including conflict across cultures and demographics.
About the Presenter: Haga is a coordinator for the East Point Peace Academy in Oakland. He has been conducting trainings in Kingian Nonviolence since 2009, and has been doing so full-time since 2011, training thousands of individuals including school teachers, faculty, students, prison inmates, mediation teachers, activists and gang-involved youth. He began his interest in 1998 after participating in social justice movements and studying nonviolence in South Asia.
KIM BARANEK, Youth Advocacy Director
School Staff as Allies: Building Partnerships with Families to Support LGBTQ Students
In this session, we will discuss the important role that school staff play in promoting LGBTQ youth acceptance and inclusion. Recommendations for engaging families of LGBTQ youth who are working toward acceptance will be shared. Specific steps that school staff can take to be allies to LGBTQ youth and families will be highlighted.
About the Presenter: Baranek grew up in Detroit and moved to the Bay Area in the 90s. She earned a Masters in Public Health from SFSU and now serves as the Youth Advocacy Collaborative Director & Inclusive Schools Coordinator for the Rainbow Community Center in Concord. Her experience includes coordinating efforts to promote healthier school environments for children and young adults. Part of her research has been on the impact of discrimination and stigma on same-sex couples and the role of meditation & yoga in youth violence prevention. www.rainbowcc.org
2013 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS - Creating a Peaceful School
RON CLAASSEN, MA, MDiv., DMin.
ROXANNE CLAASSEN, MA, retired teacher
Discipline That Restores
Restorative justice/discipline is an alternative to a punitive discipline system. Discipline That Restores (DTR) is a best practice discipline system focused on the teacher/student relationship grounded in Conflict Resolution Education, Peacemaking, and Restorative Justice. It includes strategies for creating respect, gaining cooperation, and reducing fear. This session will describe DTR theory, structure, and strategies and illustrate them with case studies. There will be time in the session for participant comments, questions, and lively dialog.
About the Presenters: Ron is the Co-Founder and Director (1990 – 2011) Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific University. He is currently director of Restorative Justice Programs, and Professor of Peacemaking and Conflict Studies. Ron was the founder (1982) of the Fresno County Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, the first in California. He is a leader in the development of Restorative Justice/Discipline principles, models and strategies. Ron is co-author with his spouse, Roxanne, of the book Discipline That Restores and the curriculum for training peer mediators, “Making Things Right.” In addition to his work with graduate students at FPU, Ron and Roxanne have provided restorative discipline training for schools and districts throughout California. Ron has written numerous articles and training manuals and has trained thousands in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and peacemaking theory, skills and strategies. Recent international work includes work in the Philippines and India. Plans are in place for Lithuania this spring. Ron is also the recipient of numerous awards including the 2007 Carl and Esther Robinson Award “Outstanding Advocate for the Common Good” and the 2012 California Dispute Resolution Council’s Ester Soriano Award for Excellence in Community Mediation.
Roxanne is a retired master teacher with experience at many grade levels, the last 14 years at 8th grade where she pioneered Discipline That Restores, a classroom and school-wide restorative discipline program. Roxanne has an MA in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies and her thesis title was “School Discipline: Restorative or Retributive.” She was the peer mediation coordinator at Raisin City School from 1990 and the school discipline coach from 1993 until she retired in 2010. Roxanne received the AMA Teachers Care Award granted by the Agrupacion de Madres Ativas en Educacion (An Active Mothers’ Group for Education). Roxanne is the author of several articles, and co-author with her husband, Ron, of the book Discipline That Restores, and “Making Things Right” a 32 lesson curriculum for preparing students to resolve conflict cooperatively and to be mediators. Roxanne says that one of her favorite parts of teaching is working with discipline.
IAN HARRIS, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin
Teaching Peace
This workshop will enable participants to share how they have been teaching peace, challenges they have faced, and rewards they have experienced. Discussion will focus on different types of peace education—conflict resolution, international education, human rights, environmental education, and human rights education. Participants will break into groups according to what type of peace education they teach and share curricular ideas. For all ages.
[email protected]; https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/imh/www/
About the presenter: Ian Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies program at the University of Wisconsin where he was a professor of Education Policy and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents and was the keynote speaker at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference.
RENEE RAMIG, Technology Director, Seven Hills School
Examining Common Sense Media with focus on Cyberbullying – Tools and Resources
Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) offers free resources to teach not only digital literacy, but also citizenship curriculum and materials for parent education. The curriculum allows you to help students use tools in safe, smart and ethical ways. The materials are relevant and interesting to both children and adults. Appropriate for grades K – 12, we will discuss ways to incorporate this resource into traditional classroom settings and have hands-on experience exploring the Common Sense Media site.
About the presenter: Renee Ramig has been an educator for 26 years. Currently Director of Technology for Seven Hills School, she is a regular speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars for teachers, librarians, and techies. You can contact her at [email protected]
SHERRY McCREEDY, Restorative Practice facilitation and former teacher, Stone Valley Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School
Addressing Conflict Restoratively at School
Restorative practice can build positive school climate even when conflict arises. In this session, we’ll consider the lens through which we address conflict and consider how to respond restoratively. There will also be an opportunity to get started by learning and practicing with “restorative questions”, an informal practice that may be used immediately when issues arise. Information about resources for learning other restorative practices will also be available.
About the presenter: Sherry McCreedy works with restorative practices to build and strengthen communities, and effectively address issues in schools and beyond. She is mom to three grown children, with a professional background in law and secondary public school teaching. http://sherrymccreedy.weebly.com/.
JEFF PORTER, San Francisco Friends School
Promoting Peace in the Classroom
How do we help students develop an understanding of the dimensions of peace? Within the classroom community, there are many opportunities for talking about peace - using peaceful problem solving language; creating peaceful environments in which to learn; fostering peace between students, in the family, and in the world around us. This workshop will begin with examples of how peace is promoted in the classroom and ends with a discussion where participants can share examples.
About the presenter: Jeff Porter is a fourth grade teacher at the San Francisco Friends School. He has facilitated workshops in peace, integrity, stewardship, and equality. Growing up as a dependent in the military, he began developing his perspective on peace making at an early age. http://jeffanushehgrade4.blogspot.com
BARBARA HOLLENBACH, AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Facilitator
A HIPP/AVP Workshop (Help Increase the Peace or Alternatives to Violence)
HIPP is a dynamic, interactive, experiential program based on dialogue and active learning. Participants build skills to respond to conflicts without violence, to analyze the impact of societal injustice on their lives and the lives of others, and to work on taking action for positive, nonviolent personal and social change. This is accomplished through cooperative games, discussions, role-playing and lively group activities. It is an extremely effective program for building community, trust, and compassion, through laughter, fun and shared experience, focusing on self-awareness, self-esteem, empathy and listening skills. Participants develop tangible skills in cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
About the presenter: Barbara Hollenbach facilitates training programs for non-violence with Civicorps in West Oakland, and in community centers, jails and prisons throughout California. She has a background in social work, working in group homes with high risk children, adolescents, and adults.
MICHAEL NAGLER and STEPHANIE VAN HOOK, The Metta Center for Non-Violence
Curriculum for Non-Violence
In this workshop the Metta Center will present a week-long introduction to nonviolence curriculum intended to meet national education standards for high school students. Educators will become familiar with the materials associated with the curriculum and deepen their knowledge about nonviolence. Educators will also have time to explore how they might adapt this one week curriculum to meet their specific needs.
Meditation for Peacemakers
The ability and determination to train the mind is essential in our work of uprooting all forms of violence in our world. It has been validated by both the best of the wisdom traditions and the best of modern science. In this workshop, participants will explore meditation and its supporting disciplines as a tool for developing nonviolent discipline for long term struggles. They will also be encouraged to establish a personal practice for day to day conflict resolution. For all ages.
About the presenters:
Michael Nagler is a Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature, UC Berkeley; founder, Berkeley Peace and Conflict Studies Program; co-founder, Blue Mountain Center of Meditation; co-founder, Educators for Nonviolence (see www.efnv.org, and www.metta.org, for more information); author, The Search for a Nonviolent Future; co-editor, The Upanishads.
Stephanie N. Van Hook is co-director of the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education and a board member of the Peace and Justice Studies Association. Her interests in nonviolence and forgiveness have intersected with activists and academics working for nonviolent social change in the global peace and justice community.
[email protected], [email protected]; www.mettacenter.org.
JILL JOHNSON, Teacher, Freedom High School
Teaching Nonviolence in High School
This workshop will provide you with an outline of a course on nonviolence currently being taught in a California public high school. Books, films, lessons, assignments and other resources will be shared, including practicing meditation in the classroom, writing about nonviolence, lessons on world religions, Gandhi, conscientious consumerism, community projects, peace heroes, International Day of Peace activities, A Force More Powerful lessons, and various other ideas and resources. Details on how to get a course on nonviolence adopted into your school and your district will be covered.
About the presenter: Jill Johnson is a teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley in the Liberty Union High School District where she teaches English, American Studies, Speech and Debate, Science Fiction Literature, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She organized the Educators for Nonviolence Conference in 2008-2009 and presented at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
LORIN PETERS, Retired teacher, Bishop O'Dowd High School
Introducing Nonviolence in 10 Hours or Less
The first 30 minutes of Attenborough’s “Gandhi” offer a riveting and irresistible introduction to the basic principles of nonviolence. After demonstrating how to use the film, we will look at nonviolent alternatives to the three kinds of wars still in fashion – wars of freedom, of defense, and of democracy – and the new forms of nonviolence that have evolved since Gandhi. Finally we will look at nonviolent discipline – the Arab Spring did not just happen, it was carefully planned and organized. Teaching guides and resources available in electronic and/or paper form.
About the presenter: Lorin Peters, who served on a peacemaking team for seven summers in Israel-Palestine, has taught Alternatives to Violence, based on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, to high school seniors since 1972. He has worked with Michael Nagler of Metta Center for Nonviolence for six years and was a presenter at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
DAN REYNOLDS, Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School
Ethical Consumerism
Together we will explore ten strategies we can put to immediate use in our classrooms and our lives to help make the world a better place through our purchasing decisions. We will discuss fair trade production, political contributions of companies, buying and banking locally, food choice, and other approaches; and we will practice ways we can make these changes for ourselves, and how to empower youth by teaching them in our curriculum.
About the presenter: Dan Reynolds teaches English, Film Studies, and Human Rights Education at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. He is a recipient of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Teacher of the Year award and the 2011 California Teachers Association Peace and Justice Human Rights award. Reynolds is also the current Board Chair for the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center and was a presenter at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
JOHN MARVIN, Retired teacher, Pleasant Hill Middle School
The Human Brain - a Lifetime in the Making
This session will begin with an introduction to the elements of the human brain, and center on how the development and characteristics of the brain affect the abilities and behaviors of students. Topics will include emotions and their effects on learning, research in gender differences, the effects of learning on the brain, and other topics as time permits. Special attention will be paid to early brain development and to the K-5 years in school. Lessons, handouts, and a reading list will be distributed.
The Command Center‑ how does our brain really work? Learning, Thinking,
Emotions
Recent neuroscience brings insight into the complexity and power of our brain. Did you know we have three brains? That we all have specific brain parts for detecting danger? That those parts, when we are angry, shut off our thinking brain? This workshop will introduce the basics of the brain, gender differences,
and provide teachers with handouts and reading lists for use in class. This workshop will center on how the emotional portions of the brain work, how they effect our “thinking” processes without our knowledge, and specifically, the neural workings of fear, anger, and frustration. Teachers will be provided handouts and reading lists.
About the presenter: John Marvin became interested in the workings of the human brain a few years ago when he was diagnosed with Adult ADHD and Anxiety Disorder in his late fifties. As a result, he researched the brain and neuroscience, and began teaching middle school students, parents, and faculty about the brain’s direct and mostly unknown impact on our everyday lives. Mr. Marvin taught middle school, high school, college and adult education classes. He has been awarded Outstanding Educator awards in Columbia, Missouri, and Pleasant Hill, California.
LORETTA G. BREUNING, Professor Emerita, Cal State East Bay
The Mammalian Brain Chemicals Behind Human Achievement, Respect, Trust, and Social Rivalry
The mammalian brain releases feel-good neurochemicals when it sees a way to meet its needs. Dopamine surges when we meet a goal. Oxytocin is stimulated when we build trust. Serotonin flows when we get respect. These "happy" chemicals connect neurons, so a young brain wires itself to repeat behaviors that trigger them. Social rivalry has been around since mammals started living in groups so it is one way for humans (students) to meet goals, build trust, get respect, and feel good.
About the presenter: Loretta Graziano Breuning is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. Her books include: Meet Your Happy Chemicals, I, Mammal, and Beyond Cynical (forthcoming in Spring). Her blog, Your Neurochemical Self is on Psychology Today. She has worked for the United Nations in Africa and lectured on bribery at the Communist Party Training School in Guiyang, China. As a docent at the Oakland Zoo, she leads tours on mammalian social behavior. Plenty of free resources are on her website, www.LorettaBreuning.com.
MILT PANAGOTACOS, Retired Conflict Management Coordinator
Conflict Resolution / Peer Mediation in School
A conflict resolution / peer mediation program in your school can help lower instances of violence, bullying, and rumor spreading. In this session we will focus on programs where students work as conflict managers/mediators to help other students resolve conflicts, mediate escalating issues and/or misunderstandings and improve the overall climate of your school (regardless of how big or how small your current discipline issues may be) all with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Our hope is that you will leave this session with an understanding of how these programs can work in your school, and equipped with the materials and knowledge you may need to start a program at your site.
About the presenter: Milt Panagotacos was a Health Education Instructor for 40 years. In 1997 he won the Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Safe and Drug-Free Schools Task Force Educator of the Year award, "In Recognition of Outstanding Service in Promoting Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities". He was Conflict Resolution certified and trained through the "Community Board Program" of San Francisco and served eight years as the Conflict Management Coordinator in the Mt. Diablo High School Peer Mediation Program.
TINA KAUFFMAN, Retired teacher, Registered Yoga Instructor
Just Take a Breath - A Taste of Yoga
Yoga is a 5,000 year-old practice that balances the body, mind and spirit. This session will focus on ways both teachers and their students can learn to quiet their minds while opening their bodies through mindful breathing and basic yoga poses. The participants will have the opportunity to learn some specific techniques that can be used in the classroom to manage behavior and create a calm classroom environment. Click here for handout.
About the presenter: Tina Kauffman is a RYT 500 (Registered Yoga Teacher), who has been studying yoga for 18 years and teaching yoga in the Bay Area for 6 years.
JOREE ROSENBLATT, Counselor, Seven Hills School
Introduction to Mindfulness in Education
Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment and living your life with attention, awareness and intention. This experiential Introduction to Mindfulness will teach the attendee on how to cultivate the skills to reduce stress, strengthen the mind/body connection and increase empathy and compassion. How to use Mindfulness in Education will also be highlighted, as it has been scientifically proven to increase test scores, the ability to focus, and create a more peaceful classroom environment, all the while reducing stress, anxiety, and bullying.
About the presenter: Joree Rosenblatt has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and is working on her licensure towards becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has done extensive training in Mindfulness and has subsequently developed her own Mindfulness curriculum that is offered to adults, through individual
sessions or in a 6 week course. Joree also teaches Mindfulness to students at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek, where she is the therapist onsite. She is available for onsite engagement. 925.212.2996 or [email protected]
ROXANNE CLAASSEN, MA, retired teacher
Discipline That Restores
Restorative justice/discipline is an alternative to a punitive discipline system. Discipline That Restores (DTR) is a best practice discipline system focused on the teacher/student relationship grounded in Conflict Resolution Education, Peacemaking, and Restorative Justice. It includes strategies for creating respect, gaining cooperation, and reducing fear. This session will describe DTR theory, structure, and strategies and illustrate them with case studies. There will be time in the session for participant comments, questions, and lively dialog.
About the Presenters: Ron is the Co-Founder and Director (1990 – 2011) Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific University. He is currently director of Restorative Justice Programs, and Professor of Peacemaking and Conflict Studies. Ron was the founder (1982) of the Fresno County Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, the first in California. He is a leader in the development of Restorative Justice/Discipline principles, models and strategies. Ron is co-author with his spouse, Roxanne, of the book Discipline That Restores and the curriculum for training peer mediators, “Making Things Right.” In addition to his work with graduate students at FPU, Ron and Roxanne have provided restorative discipline training for schools and districts throughout California. Ron has written numerous articles and training manuals and has trained thousands in conflict resolution, restorative justice, and peacemaking theory, skills and strategies. Recent international work includes work in the Philippines and India. Plans are in place for Lithuania this spring. Ron is also the recipient of numerous awards including the 2007 Carl and Esther Robinson Award “Outstanding Advocate for the Common Good” and the 2012 California Dispute Resolution Council’s Ester Soriano Award for Excellence in Community Mediation.
Roxanne is a retired master teacher with experience at many grade levels, the last 14 years at 8th grade where she pioneered Discipline That Restores, a classroom and school-wide restorative discipline program. Roxanne has an MA in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies and her thesis title was “School Discipline: Restorative or Retributive.” She was the peer mediation coordinator at Raisin City School from 1990 and the school discipline coach from 1993 until she retired in 2010. Roxanne received the AMA Teachers Care Award granted by the Agrupacion de Madres Ativas en Educacion (An Active Mothers’ Group for Education). Roxanne is the author of several articles, and co-author with her husband, Ron, of the book Discipline That Restores, and “Making Things Right” a 32 lesson curriculum for preparing students to resolve conflict cooperatively and to be mediators. Roxanne says that one of her favorite parts of teaching is working with discipline.
IAN HARRIS, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin
Teaching Peace
This workshop will enable participants to share how they have been teaching peace, challenges they have faced, and rewards they have experienced. Discussion will focus on different types of peace education—conflict resolution, international education, human rights, environmental education, and human rights education. Participants will break into groups according to what type of peace education they teach and share curricular ideas. For all ages.
[email protected]; https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/imh/www/
About the presenter: Ian Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies program at the University of Wisconsin where he was a professor of Education Policy and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents and was the keynote speaker at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference.
RENEE RAMIG, Technology Director, Seven Hills School
Examining Common Sense Media with focus on Cyberbullying – Tools and Resources
Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) offers free resources to teach not only digital literacy, but also citizenship curriculum and materials for parent education. The curriculum allows you to help students use tools in safe, smart and ethical ways. The materials are relevant and interesting to both children and adults. Appropriate for grades K – 12, we will discuss ways to incorporate this resource into traditional classroom settings and have hands-on experience exploring the Common Sense Media site.
About the presenter: Renee Ramig has been an educator for 26 years. Currently Director of Technology for Seven Hills School, she is a regular speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars for teachers, librarians, and techies. You can contact her at [email protected]
SHERRY McCREEDY, Restorative Practice facilitation and former teacher, Stone Valley Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School
Addressing Conflict Restoratively at School
Restorative practice can build positive school climate even when conflict arises. In this session, we’ll consider the lens through which we address conflict and consider how to respond restoratively. There will also be an opportunity to get started by learning and practicing with “restorative questions”, an informal practice that may be used immediately when issues arise. Information about resources for learning other restorative practices will also be available.
About the presenter: Sherry McCreedy works with restorative practices to build and strengthen communities, and effectively address issues in schools and beyond. She is mom to three grown children, with a professional background in law and secondary public school teaching. http://sherrymccreedy.weebly.com/.
JEFF PORTER, San Francisco Friends School
Promoting Peace in the Classroom
How do we help students develop an understanding of the dimensions of peace? Within the classroom community, there are many opportunities for talking about peace - using peaceful problem solving language; creating peaceful environments in which to learn; fostering peace between students, in the family, and in the world around us. This workshop will begin with examples of how peace is promoted in the classroom and ends with a discussion where participants can share examples.
About the presenter: Jeff Porter is a fourth grade teacher at the San Francisco Friends School. He has facilitated workshops in peace, integrity, stewardship, and equality. Growing up as a dependent in the military, he began developing his perspective on peace making at an early age. http://jeffanushehgrade4.blogspot.com
BARBARA HOLLENBACH, AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Facilitator
A HIPP/AVP Workshop (Help Increase the Peace or Alternatives to Violence)
HIPP is a dynamic, interactive, experiential program based on dialogue and active learning. Participants build skills to respond to conflicts without violence, to analyze the impact of societal injustice on their lives and the lives of others, and to work on taking action for positive, nonviolent personal and social change. This is accomplished through cooperative games, discussions, role-playing and lively group activities. It is an extremely effective program for building community, trust, and compassion, through laughter, fun and shared experience, focusing on self-awareness, self-esteem, empathy and listening skills. Participants develop tangible skills in cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
About the presenter: Barbara Hollenbach facilitates training programs for non-violence with Civicorps in West Oakland, and in community centers, jails and prisons throughout California. She has a background in social work, working in group homes with high risk children, adolescents, and adults.
MICHAEL NAGLER and STEPHANIE VAN HOOK, The Metta Center for Non-Violence
Curriculum for Non-Violence
In this workshop the Metta Center will present a week-long introduction to nonviolence curriculum intended to meet national education standards for high school students. Educators will become familiar with the materials associated with the curriculum and deepen their knowledge about nonviolence. Educators will also have time to explore how they might adapt this one week curriculum to meet their specific needs.
Meditation for Peacemakers
The ability and determination to train the mind is essential in our work of uprooting all forms of violence in our world. It has been validated by both the best of the wisdom traditions and the best of modern science. In this workshop, participants will explore meditation and its supporting disciplines as a tool for developing nonviolent discipline for long term struggles. They will also be encouraged to establish a personal practice for day to day conflict resolution. For all ages.
About the presenters:
Michael Nagler is a Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature, UC Berkeley; founder, Berkeley Peace and Conflict Studies Program; co-founder, Blue Mountain Center of Meditation; co-founder, Educators for Nonviolence (see www.efnv.org, and www.metta.org, for more information); author, The Search for a Nonviolent Future; co-editor, The Upanishads.
Stephanie N. Van Hook is co-director of the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education and a board member of the Peace and Justice Studies Association. Her interests in nonviolence and forgiveness have intersected with activists and academics working for nonviolent social change in the global peace and justice community.
[email protected], [email protected]; www.mettacenter.org.
JILL JOHNSON, Teacher, Freedom High School
Teaching Nonviolence in High School
This workshop will provide you with an outline of a course on nonviolence currently being taught in a California public high school. Books, films, lessons, assignments and other resources will be shared, including practicing meditation in the classroom, writing about nonviolence, lessons on world religions, Gandhi, conscientious consumerism, community projects, peace heroes, International Day of Peace activities, A Force More Powerful lessons, and various other ideas and resources. Details on how to get a course on nonviolence adopted into your school and your district will be covered.
About the presenter: Jill Johnson is a teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley in the Liberty Union High School District where she teaches English, American Studies, Speech and Debate, Science Fiction Literature, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She organized the Educators for Nonviolence Conference in 2008-2009 and presented at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
LORIN PETERS, Retired teacher, Bishop O'Dowd High School
Introducing Nonviolence in 10 Hours or Less
The first 30 minutes of Attenborough’s “Gandhi” offer a riveting and irresistible introduction to the basic principles of nonviolence. After demonstrating how to use the film, we will look at nonviolent alternatives to the three kinds of wars still in fashion – wars of freedom, of defense, and of democracy – and the new forms of nonviolence that have evolved since Gandhi. Finally we will look at nonviolent discipline – the Arab Spring did not just happen, it was carefully planned and organized. Teaching guides and resources available in electronic and/or paper form.
About the presenter: Lorin Peters, who served on a peacemaking team for seven summers in Israel-Palestine, has taught Alternatives to Violence, based on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, to high school seniors since 1972. He has worked with Michael Nagler of Metta Center for Nonviolence for six years and was a presenter at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
DAN REYNOLDS, Teacher, Mt. Diablo High School
Ethical Consumerism
Together we will explore ten strategies we can put to immediate use in our classrooms and our lives to help make the world a better place through our purchasing decisions. We will discuss fair trade production, political contributions of companies, buying and banking locally, food choice, and other approaches; and we will practice ways we can make these changes for ourselves, and how to empower youth by teaching them in our curriculum.
About the presenter: Dan Reynolds teaches English, Film Studies, and Human Rights Education at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. He is a recipient of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Teacher of the Year award and the 2011 California Teachers Association Peace and Justice Human Rights award. Reynolds is also the current Board Chair for the Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center and was a presenter at last year's Creating a Peaceful School Conference 2012.
JOHN MARVIN, Retired teacher, Pleasant Hill Middle School
The Human Brain - a Lifetime in the Making
This session will begin with an introduction to the elements of the human brain, and center on how the development and characteristics of the brain affect the abilities and behaviors of students. Topics will include emotions and their effects on learning, research in gender differences, the effects of learning on the brain, and other topics as time permits. Special attention will be paid to early brain development and to the K-5 years in school. Lessons, handouts, and a reading list will be distributed.
The Command Center‑ how does our brain really work? Learning, Thinking,
Emotions
Recent neuroscience brings insight into the complexity and power of our brain. Did you know we have three brains? That we all have specific brain parts for detecting danger? That those parts, when we are angry, shut off our thinking brain? This workshop will introduce the basics of the brain, gender differences,
and provide teachers with handouts and reading lists for use in class. This workshop will center on how the emotional portions of the brain work, how they effect our “thinking” processes without our knowledge, and specifically, the neural workings of fear, anger, and frustration. Teachers will be provided handouts and reading lists.
About the presenter: John Marvin became interested in the workings of the human brain a few years ago when he was diagnosed with Adult ADHD and Anxiety Disorder in his late fifties. As a result, he researched the brain and neuroscience, and began teaching middle school students, parents, and faculty about the brain’s direct and mostly unknown impact on our everyday lives. Mr. Marvin taught middle school, high school, college and adult education classes. He has been awarded Outstanding Educator awards in Columbia, Missouri, and Pleasant Hill, California.
LORETTA G. BREUNING, Professor Emerita, Cal State East Bay
The Mammalian Brain Chemicals Behind Human Achievement, Respect, Trust, and Social Rivalry
The mammalian brain releases feel-good neurochemicals when it sees a way to meet its needs. Dopamine surges when we meet a goal. Oxytocin is stimulated when we build trust. Serotonin flows when we get respect. These "happy" chemicals connect neurons, so a young brain wires itself to repeat behaviors that trigger them. Social rivalry has been around since mammals started living in groups so it is one way for humans (students) to meet goals, build trust, get respect, and feel good.
About the presenter: Loretta Graziano Breuning is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. Her books include: Meet Your Happy Chemicals, I, Mammal, and Beyond Cynical (forthcoming in Spring). Her blog, Your Neurochemical Self is on Psychology Today. She has worked for the United Nations in Africa and lectured on bribery at the Communist Party Training School in Guiyang, China. As a docent at the Oakland Zoo, she leads tours on mammalian social behavior. Plenty of free resources are on her website, www.LorettaBreuning.com.
MILT PANAGOTACOS, Retired Conflict Management Coordinator
Conflict Resolution / Peer Mediation in School
A conflict resolution / peer mediation program in your school can help lower instances of violence, bullying, and rumor spreading. In this session we will focus on programs where students work as conflict managers/mediators to help other students resolve conflicts, mediate escalating issues and/or misunderstandings and improve the overall climate of your school (regardless of how big or how small your current discipline issues may be) all with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Our hope is that you will leave this session with an understanding of how these programs can work in your school, and equipped with the materials and knowledge you may need to start a program at your site.
About the presenter: Milt Panagotacos was a Health Education Instructor for 40 years. In 1997 he won the Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Safe and Drug-Free Schools Task Force Educator of the Year award, "In Recognition of Outstanding Service in Promoting Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities". He was Conflict Resolution certified and trained through the "Community Board Program" of San Francisco and served eight years as the Conflict Management Coordinator in the Mt. Diablo High School Peer Mediation Program.
TINA KAUFFMAN, Retired teacher, Registered Yoga Instructor
Just Take a Breath - A Taste of Yoga
Yoga is a 5,000 year-old practice that balances the body, mind and spirit. This session will focus on ways both teachers and their students can learn to quiet their minds while opening their bodies through mindful breathing and basic yoga poses. The participants will have the opportunity to learn some specific techniques that can be used in the classroom to manage behavior and create a calm classroom environment. Click here for handout.
About the presenter: Tina Kauffman is a RYT 500 (Registered Yoga Teacher), who has been studying yoga for 18 years and teaching yoga in the Bay Area for 6 years.
JOREE ROSENBLATT, Counselor, Seven Hills School
Introduction to Mindfulness in Education
Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment and living your life with attention, awareness and intention. This experiential Introduction to Mindfulness will teach the attendee on how to cultivate the skills to reduce stress, strengthen the mind/body connection and increase empathy and compassion. How to use Mindfulness in Education will also be highlighted, as it has been scientifically proven to increase test scores, the ability to focus, and create a more peaceful classroom environment, all the while reducing stress, anxiety, and bullying.
About the presenter: Joree Rosenblatt has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and is working on her licensure towards becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has done extensive training in Mindfulness and has subsequently developed her own Mindfulness curriculum that is offered to adults, through individual
sessions or in a 6 week course. Joree also teaches Mindfulness to students at Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek, where she is the therapist onsite. She is available for onsite engagement. 925.212.2996 or [email protected]
2012 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS - Creating a Peaceful School
Ian Harris Keynote Address: Responses
to School Violence
This presentation will review problems of school violence and
provide insights about how best to respond to violent behavior in youth. Peace
theory suggests three ways to respond to violence: peacekeeping, peacemaking,
and peace-building.
Peacekeeping depends upon force to impose order; peacemaking relies on
dialogue to resolve differences; and peace-building uses nonviolence to create
beloved communities. Although peacekeeping and peacemaking are most commonly
used in schools, peace-building has the best capacity to foster student
learning.
About the presenter: Ian Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies
program at the University of Wisconsin where he was a professor Education Policy
and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents.
Dan Reynolds session: Journaling for Peace and Human Rights
Incorporating the teaching of peace and human rights can be a challenge. Journals allow students opportunities to reflect, analyze, critique, and be creative. Together we will discuss the educational and personal value of using in-class and at-home
journaling to develop students who value peace, nonviolence, and the rights of
all people. You will leave with 90 journal prompts you can start using
immediately in your classroom.
About the presenter: Dan Reynolds teaches English, Film Studies, and Human Rights Education at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. He is a recipient of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Teacher of the Year award and the 2011 California Teachers Association Peace and Justice Human Rights award.
Milt Panagotacos:
Conflict Resolution / Peer Mediation in School
A conflict resolution / peer mediation program in your school can help lower
instances of violence, bullying, and rumor spreading. In this session we will focus on programs where students work as conflict managers/mediators to help other students resolve conflicts, mediate escalating issues and/or misunderstandings and improve the overall climate of your school (regardless of how big or how small your current discipline issues may be) all with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Our hope is that you will leave this session with an understanding of how these programs can work in your school, and equipped with the materials and knowledge you may need to start a program at your site.
About the Presenter: Credentialed Health Education Instructor for 40 years. Mt Diablo Unified District Safe and Drug Free Schools Task Force Educator of the Year 1997, "In Recognition of Outstanding Service in Promoting Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities". Conflict Resolution certified and trained through "The Community Board Program" of San Francisco. Eight years as Conflict Management Coordinator at Mt. Diablo High School Peer Mediation Program.
Jill Johnson Workshop: Teaching Nonviolence in High School
This workshop will provide you with an outline of a course on nonviolence currently being taught in a California public high school. Books, films, lessons, assignments and other resources will be shared, including practicing meditation in the classroom, writing about nonviolence, lessons on world religions, Gandhi, conscientious consumerism, community projects, peace heroes, International Day of Peace activities, A Force More Powerful lessons, and various other ideas and resources. Details on how to get a course on nonviolence adopted into your school and your district will be covered.
About the presenter: Jill Johnson is a teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley in the Liberty Union High School District where she teaches English, American Studies, Speech and Debate, Science Fiction Literature, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She organized the Educators for Nonviolence Conference in 2008-2009.
John Marvin: The Command Center ‑ how does our brain really work? Learning, Thinking, Emotions
Recent neuroscience brings insight into the complexity and power of our brain.
Did you know we have three brains? That we all have specific brain parts for detecting danger? That those parts, when we are angry, shut off our thinking brain? This workshop will introduce the basics of the brain, gender differences,
and provide teachers with handouts and reading lists for use in class. This workshop will center on how the emotional portions of the brain work, how they effect our “thinking” processes without our knowledge, and specifically, the neural workings of fear, anger, and frustration. Teachers will be provided handouts and reading lists.
About the presenter: John Marvin became interested in the workings of the human brain four years ago when he was diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder at age 57. As a result, he researched the brain and neuroscience, and began teaching middle school students, parents, and faculty about the brain’s direct and mostly unknown impact on our everyday lives. Mr. Marvin has taught middle school, high school, college and adult education classes. He has been awarded Outstanding Educator awards in Columbia, Missouri, and Pleasant Hill, California.
Sandra Schwartz and Delia McGrath: Game + Ahimsa
Presentation of the game Gahimsa derived from Game and Ahimsa “do no harm.” Gahimsa is a computer and real-life game for youngsters ages 12 – 16 that teaches the skills of living non-violently through playful and thoughtful activities. The
focus is on teaching conflict resolution and conflict prevention skills by
helping teens acquire self-confidence, self-awareness, responsibility,
creativity, trust, empathy and an open mind. Social skills such as active
listening, positive communication, and community-building are emphasized.
About the presenters:
Sandra Schwartz is the peace education coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee where she develops and manages a variety of programs including truth-in-recruiting programs in the public schools, hosting the GI Rights
hot-line, working with community groups to abolish nuclear weapons.
Delia McGrath was San Mateo County Mental Health professional who worked with children, adolescents and their families and coordinated mental health services with
educators, child welfare and juvenile probation workers. Since her retirement in 2003, she has been a full-time peace activist. With Pacifica Peace People Delia
implemented the Peacemakers Award Project in local high schools.
Sandra Schwartz: A HIPP/AVP workshop (Help Increase the Peace Program or Alternatives to Violence Project)
HIPP is a dynamic, interactive and engaging program based on dialogue and active
learning. Participants build skills for responding to conflicts without violence, analyze the impact of societal injustice on their lives and the lives of others, and work on taking action for positive, nonviolent personal and social change.
HIPP workshops focus on the Head, Heart and Hand:
Head—Participants analyze the root causes of violence and identify their options.
Heart—HIPP workshops build community through laughter, fun, and shared experience, focusing on self-awareness, self-esteem, empathy and listening skills.
Hand—Participants develop tangible skills in cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
About the presenter: Bio above.
Diane Valentine:
Yoga: Practicing Ahimsa (non-violence)
About the Presenter:DIANE VALENTINE, E-RYT & GCFP is the Director of The Yoga & Movement Center, which is celebrating its 15th year in Walnut Creek. As a teacher of the Iyengar style of hatha yoga, Diane has taught the therapeutic aspects of yoga for more than 20 years and holds yearly teacher trainings for certification and
registration with Yoga Alliance. Also a certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Diane teaches classes, workshops, retreats, as well as private therapeutic yoga and individual hands-on Functional Integration lessons. In her practice she brings to her students the combined therapeutic gifts of Yoga and Feldenkrais. She has published articles on Feldenkrais and Yoga as well as Restorative Poses for Menopause.
Chris Giotta: Creating Watercolor Imagery around Words of Peace
This one-hour workshop will discuss the complexity of taking a
written prompt from this year’s Mt Diablo Peace Center Art & Writing Contest
and putting it into image form. Workshop includes: how to brainstorm a writing
prompt into an art form, examples of past peace posters, and time to create your
own poster to take home. The media will be watercolor pencils and watercolor or
prisma color pencils and ink. Having minimal drawing skills should not be a
deterrent.
About the presenter: Chris Giotta has taught many levels of elementary school for the Walnut Creek School District. She currently teaches 6th-8th grade Art at Walnut Creek Intermediate. Each year her students participate in the Mt. Diablo Peace Center Art & Writing Contest, often with winning results.
Lorin Peters: Introducing Nonviolence in 10 Hours or Less
The first 30 minutes of Attenborough’s film “Gandhi” offer a riveting and thought-provoking introduction to the basic principles of nonviolence. After demonstrating
how to use the film, we will look at nonviolent alternatives to the three kinds of wars still in fashion – wars of freedom, of defense, and of democracy – and the new forms of nonviolence that have evolved since Gandhi. Finally we will look at nonviolent discipline – the Arab Spring did not just happen, it was carefully planned and organized. Teaching guides and resources will be available in electronic and/or
paper form.
About the Presenter:
Lorin Peters, who served on a peacemaking team for seven summers in Israel-Palestine, has taught ‘Alternatives to Violence’, based on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, to high school seniors since 1972. He has worked with Michael Nagler of Metta Center for Nonviolence for five years.
Carolyn Janson: HeartMath for Resilient Educators and Youth
Stress is at an all time high for teachers, parents and students. Everyone is on edge! Teaching and learning have become more difficult. HeartMath strategies stop stress in its tracks. They increase coherence in the body mind system bringing more ease, resilience and joy to the lives of teachers and students. These simple and elegant tools increase one’s ability to regulate emotions, solve problems and make decisions. As a result, teaching and learning improve!
About the presenter: Carolyn Janson is a staff developer, coach and former elementary and middle school teacher who knows how to create peaceful, heart-centered learning communities. She is a licensed 1 on 1 HeartMath provider and Qualified Resilient Educator. n collaboration with the Institute of Heart Math, she developed HeartSmarts, a social and emotional learning program. Currently she serves as a BTSA coordinator in Berkeley Unified School District.
Loretta G Breuning: I, Mammal Primates have been One-upping Each Other for Millions of Years
When we are frustrated by conflict in daily life, it’s interesting to know that
every group of apes, monkeys, or even bovines has almost identical conflicts.
All mammals have the same basic neurochemistry, which releases good feelings
when an individual promotes its own survival. Mammals learn from experience
which behaviors promote survival and which behaviors set them back. The brain
learns about survival whenever neurochemicals are released, both the “happy
chemicals” (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin) and the “unhappy chemicals”
(cortisol).
About the Presenter: Loretta Graziano Breuning is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the books: I, Mammal, Meet Your Happy Chemicals, and Greaseless. She has worked for the United Nations in Africa and lectured on bribery at the Communist Party Training School in Guiyang, China. As a docent at the Oakland Zoo, she leads tours on mammalian social behavior. Her blog is hosted by Psychology Today.
Teaching the Occupy Movement – A Panel Discussion
Lorin Peters, Jill Johnson and Dan Reynolds
How do we bring the Occupy Movement into our classroom? What does it mean for our students and their future? What do we say to a student who wants to become more active? To an administrator who is concerned about the topic? To parents? Where is this in the standards? What real historical impact might the movement have? Please join us for the hour as we approach these and other questions. We also look forward to your questions also.
Presenters:
Lorin Peters, Jill Johnson and Dan Reynolds will put on a panel for HS teachers.
Bios previously listed.
Michael McAlister: Uncovering Stillness in the Midst of Busy Lives
It is impossible for any of us to teach peace if we, ourselves, are at war. Some of us may find that we are at war with war; or we may be intolerant of intolerance; or we may find ourselves fighting against violence. We also might find that we are so busy that we don't have time for any kind of meaningful peace in our lives. The good news is that there is a way out of this common trap that allows for any of us to learn how to uncover the very stillness necessary for us to embody the peacefulness we wish to offer both our students and the world. Come join us to learn how simple practices of mindfulness, self-study and meditation can have an impact on your life as well as the lives of those you touch.
About the presenter:
Michael McAlister has spent time as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Nepal and at
the San Francisco Zen Center. In 2008 his book, Awake in This Life: A guide for Those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit, was published. Currently, he is the leader of the Infinite Smile Sangha, located in Lafayette, and his podcasts at InfiniteSmile.org are enjoyed by a global audience. He is the father of two girls, 4 and 2 years of age, and is one of the associate principals at Miramonte High School.
Petersen, Homer, and Fry: The Worldview Literacy Project - A Learner-centered Approach to Creating Common Ground and Wise Action
Each of us was born into a worldview that, for the most part, operates outside of our conscious awareness. Our worldviews are responsible for shaping, coloring and filtering the way we see and make sense of the world around us. Recent developments in neuroscience are showing the truth of words written down centuries ago: "We don't see the world as it is, we see the world as we are." Drawing some 40 years of research on consciousness, the Institute of Noetic Sciences is launching a pilot course of 18 lessons that guide high school students on a path of discovery leading to a deeper understanding of themselves, each other and the world around them in ways that foster collaboration and wise action.
About the Presenters: Katia Petersen, Ph.D., is an award winning educator and the creator of Safe and Caring Schools, an anti-bullying program used in over 35,000 classrooms. Ken Homer is an organizational development practitioner and
the founder of Collaborative Conversations: Include More Voices - Make Better Choices, a consultancy that focuses on creating rapid and productive results among diverse groups of people. Nina Fry, MA, is a Research and Education Associate for the Worldview Literacy Project and Adjunct Professor of Holistic Health Education at John F. Kennedy University. Nina has extensive experience in curriculum and research development and implementation.
to School Violence
This presentation will review problems of school violence and
provide insights about how best to respond to violent behavior in youth. Peace
theory suggests three ways to respond to violence: peacekeeping, peacemaking,
and peace-building.
Peacekeeping depends upon force to impose order; peacemaking relies on
dialogue to resolve differences; and peace-building uses nonviolence to create
beloved communities. Although peacekeeping and peacemaking are most commonly
used in schools, peace-building has the best capacity to foster student
learning.
About the presenter: Ian Harris is a recently-retired director of the Peace Studies
program at the University of Wisconsin where he was a professor Education Policy
and Community Studies. He is the author of Peace Education and Peacebuilding for Adolescents.
Dan Reynolds session: Journaling for Peace and Human Rights
Incorporating the teaching of peace and human rights can be a challenge. Journals allow students opportunities to reflect, analyze, critique, and be creative. Together we will discuss the educational and personal value of using in-class and at-home
journaling to develop students who value peace, nonviolence, and the rights of
all people. You will leave with 90 journal prompts you can start using
immediately in your classroom.
About the presenter: Dan Reynolds teaches English, Film Studies, and Human Rights Education at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. He is a recipient of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Teacher of the Year award and the 2011 California Teachers Association Peace and Justice Human Rights award.
Milt Panagotacos:
Conflict Resolution / Peer Mediation in School
A conflict resolution / peer mediation program in your school can help lower
instances of violence, bullying, and rumor spreading. In this session we will focus on programs where students work as conflict managers/mediators to help other students resolve conflicts, mediate escalating issues and/or misunderstandings and improve the overall climate of your school (regardless of how big or how small your current discipline issues may be) all with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Our hope is that you will leave this session with an understanding of how these programs can work in your school, and equipped with the materials and knowledge you may need to start a program at your site.
About the Presenter: Credentialed Health Education Instructor for 40 years. Mt Diablo Unified District Safe and Drug Free Schools Task Force Educator of the Year 1997, "In Recognition of Outstanding Service in Promoting Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities". Conflict Resolution certified and trained through "The Community Board Program" of San Francisco. Eight years as Conflict Management Coordinator at Mt. Diablo High School Peer Mediation Program.
Jill Johnson Workshop: Teaching Nonviolence in High School
This workshop will provide you with an outline of a course on nonviolence currently being taught in a California public high school. Books, films, lessons, assignments and other resources will be shared, including practicing meditation in the classroom, writing about nonviolence, lessons on world religions, Gandhi, conscientious consumerism, community projects, peace heroes, International Day of Peace activities, A Force More Powerful lessons, and various other ideas and resources. Details on how to get a course on nonviolence adopted into your school and your district will be covered.
About the presenter: Jill Johnson is a teacher at Freedom High School in Oakley in the Liberty Union High School District where she teaches English, American Studies, Speech and Debate, Science Fiction Literature, and Peace and Conflict Studies. She organized the Educators for Nonviolence Conference in 2008-2009.
John Marvin: The Command Center ‑ how does our brain really work? Learning, Thinking, Emotions
Recent neuroscience brings insight into the complexity and power of our brain.
Did you know we have three brains? That we all have specific brain parts for detecting danger? That those parts, when we are angry, shut off our thinking brain? This workshop will introduce the basics of the brain, gender differences,
and provide teachers with handouts and reading lists for use in class. This workshop will center on how the emotional portions of the brain work, how they effect our “thinking” processes without our knowledge, and specifically, the neural workings of fear, anger, and frustration. Teachers will be provided handouts and reading lists.
About the presenter: John Marvin became interested in the workings of the human brain four years ago when he was diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder at age 57. As a result, he researched the brain and neuroscience, and began teaching middle school students, parents, and faculty about the brain’s direct and mostly unknown impact on our everyday lives. Mr. Marvin has taught middle school, high school, college and adult education classes. He has been awarded Outstanding Educator awards in Columbia, Missouri, and Pleasant Hill, California.
Sandra Schwartz and Delia McGrath: Game + Ahimsa
Presentation of the game Gahimsa derived from Game and Ahimsa “do no harm.” Gahimsa is a computer and real-life game for youngsters ages 12 – 16 that teaches the skills of living non-violently through playful and thoughtful activities. The
focus is on teaching conflict resolution and conflict prevention skills by
helping teens acquire self-confidence, self-awareness, responsibility,
creativity, trust, empathy and an open mind. Social skills such as active
listening, positive communication, and community-building are emphasized.
About the presenters:
Sandra Schwartz is the peace education coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee where she develops and manages a variety of programs including truth-in-recruiting programs in the public schools, hosting the GI Rights
hot-line, working with community groups to abolish nuclear weapons.
Delia McGrath was San Mateo County Mental Health professional who worked with children, adolescents and their families and coordinated mental health services with
educators, child welfare and juvenile probation workers. Since her retirement in 2003, she has been a full-time peace activist. With Pacifica Peace People Delia
implemented the Peacemakers Award Project in local high schools.
Sandra Schwartz: A HIPP/AVP workshop (Help Increase the Peace Program or Alternatives to Violence Project)
HIPP is a dynamic, interactive and engaging program based on dialogue and active
learning. Participants build skills for responding to conflicts without violence, analyze the impact of societal injustice on their lives and the lives of others, and work on taking action for positive, nonviolent personal and social change.
HIPP workshops focus on the Head, Heart and Hand:
Head—Participants analyze the root causes of violence and identify their options.
Heart—HIPP workshops build community through laughter, fun, and shared experience, focusing on self-awareness, self-esteem, empathy and listening skills.
Hand—Participants develop tangible skills in cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution.
About the presenter: Bio above.
Diane Valentine:
Yoga: Practicing Ahimsa (non-violence)
About the Presenter:DIANE VALENTINE, E-RYT & GCFP is the Director of The Yoga & Movement Center, which is celebrating its 15th year in Walnut Creek. As a teacher of the Iyengar style of hatha yoga, Diane has taught the therapeutic aspects of yoga for more than 20 years and holds yearly teacher trainings for certification and
registration with Yoga Alliance. Also a certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, Diane teaches classes, workshops, retreats, as well as private therapeutic yoga and individual hands-on Functional Integration lessons. In her practice she brings to her students the combined therapeutic gifts of Yoga and Feldenkrais. She has published articles on Feldenkrais and Yoga as well as Restorative Poses for Menopause.
Chris Giotta: Creating Watercolor Imagery around Words of Peace
This one-hour workshop will discuss the complexity of taking a
written prompt from this year’s Mt Diablo Peace Center Art & Writing Contest
and putting it into image form. Workshop includes: how to brainstorm a writing
prompt into an art form, examples of past peace posters, and time to create your
own poster to take home. The media will be watercolor pencils and watercolor or
prisma color pencils and ink. Having minimal drawing skills should not be a
deterrent.
About the presenter: Chris Giotta has taught many levels of elementary school for the Walnut Creek School District. She currently teaches 6th-8th grade Art at Walnut Creek Intermediate. Each year her students participate in the Mt. Diablo Peace Center Art & Writing Contest, often with winning results.
Lorin Peters: Introducing Nonviolence in 10 Hours or Less
The first 30 minutes of Attenborough’s film “Gandhi” offer a riveting and thought-provoking introduction to the basic principles of nonviolence. After demonstrating
how to use the film, we will look at nonviolent alternatives to the three kinds of wars still in fashion – wars of freedom, of defense, and of democracy – and the new forms of nonviolence that have evolved since Gandhi. Finally we will look at nonviolent discipline – the Arab Spring did not just happen, it was carefully planned and organized. Teaching guides and resources will be available in electronic and/or
paper form.
About the Presenter:
Lorin Peters, who served on a peacemaking team for seven summers in Israel-Palestine, has taught ‘Alternatives to Violence’, based on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, to high school seniors since 1972. He has worked with Michael Nagler of Metta Center for Nonviolence for five years.
Carolyn Janson: HeartMath for Resilient Educators and Youth
Stress is at an all time high for teachers, parents and students. Everyone is on edge! Teaching and learning have become more difficult. HeartMath strategies stop stress in its tracks. They increase coherence in the body mind system bringing more ease, resilience and joy to the lives of teachers and students. These simple and elegant tools increase one’s ability to regulate emotions, solve problems and make decisions. As a result, teaching and learning improve!
About the presenter: Carolyn Janson is a staff developer, coach and former elementary and middle school teacher who knows how to create peaceful, heart-centered learning communities. She is a licensed 1 on 1 HeartMath provider and Qualified Resilient Educator. n collaboration with the Institute of Heart Math, she developed HeartSmarts, a social and emotional learning program. Currently she serves as a BTSA coordinator in Berkeley Unified School District.
Loretta G Breuning: I, Mammal Primates have been One-upping Each Other for Millions of Years
When we are frustrated by conflict in daily life, it’s interesting to know that
every group of apes, monkeys, or even bovines has almost identical conflicts.
All mammals have the same basic neurochemistry, which releases good feelings
when an individual promotes its own survival. Mammals learn from experience
which behaviors promote survival and which behaviors set them back. The brain
learns about survival whenever neurochemicals are released, both the “happy
chemicals” (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin) and the “unhappy chemicals”
(cortisol).
About the Presenter: Loretta Graziano Breuning is Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. She is the author of the books: I, Mammal, Meet Your Happy Chemicals, and Greaseless. She has worked for the United Nations in Africa and lectured on bribery at the Communist Party Training School in Guiyang, China. As a docent at the Oakland Zoo, she leads tours on mammalian social behavior. Her blog is hosted by Psychology Today.
Teaching the Occupy Movement – A Panel Discussion
Lorin Peters, Jill Johnson and Dan Reynolds
How do we bring the Occupy Movement into our classroom? What does it mean for our students and their future? What do we say to a student who wants to become more active? To an administrator who is concerned about the topic? To parents? Where is this in the standards? What real historical impact might the movement have? Please join us for the hour as we approach these and other questions. We also look forward to your questions also.
Presenters:
Lorin Peters, Jill Johnson and Dan Reynolds will put on a panel for HS teachers.
Bios previously listed.
Michael McAlister: Uncovering Stillness in the Midst of Busy Lives
It is impossible for any of us to teach peace if we, ourselves, are at war. Some of us may find that we are at war with war; or we may be intolerant of intolerance; or we may find ourselves fighting against violence. We also might find that we are so busy that we don't have time for any kind of meaningful peace in our lives. The good news is that there is a way out of this common trap that allows for any of us to learn how to uncover the very stillness necessary for us to embody the peacefulness we wish to offer both our students and the world. Come join us to learn how simple practices of mindfulness, self-study and meditation can have an impact on your life as well as the lives of those you touch.
About the presenter:
Michael McAlister has spent time as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Nepal and at
the San Francisco Zen Center. In 2008 his book, Awake in This Life: A guide for Those Climbing the Mountain of Spirit, was published. Currently, he is the leader of the Infinite Smile Sangha, located in Lafayette, and his podcasts at InfiniteSmile.org are enjoyed by a global audience. He is the father of two girls, 4 and 2 years of age, and is one of the associate principals at Miramonte High School.
Petersen, Homer, and Fry: The Worldview Literacy Project - A Learner-centered Approach to Creating Common Ground and Wise Action
Each of us was born into a worldview that, for the most part, operates outside of our conscious awareness. Our worldviews are responsible for shaping, coloring and filtering the way we see and make sense of the world around us. Recent developments in neuroscience are showing the truth of words written down centuries ago: "We don't see the world as it is, we see the world as we are." Drawing some 40 years of research on consciousness, the Institute of Noetic Sciences is launching a pilot course of 18 lessons that guide high school students on a path of discovery leading to a deeper understanding of themselves, each other and the world around them in ways that foster collaboration and wise action.
About the Presenters: Katia Petersen, Ph.D., is an award winning educator and the creator of Safe and Caring Schools, an anti-bullying program used in over 35,000 classrooms. Ken Homer is an organizational development practitioner and
the founder of Collaborative Conversations: Include More Voices - Make Better Choices, a consultancy that focuses on creating rapid and productive results among diverse groups of people. Nina Fry, MA, is a Research and Education Associate for the Worldview Literacy Project and Adjunct Professor of Holistic Health Education at John F. Kennedy University. Nina has extensive experience in curriculum and research development and implementation.