CREATING A PEACEFUL SCHOOL
CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATORS K-12,
STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS
This conference was first proposed by Center member Ian Harris, a recently-retired professor of Education Policy and Community Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Harris had been the director of Peace Studies at the University and led a successful program in Milwaukee addressing adolescent violence and bullying in the schools.
Harris teamed up with the Center's former Executive Director, Mary Alice O'Connor, who always had a passion to address these issues. She knew of members in the local community who were committed to the teaching of peace in the schools.
A committee was formed, a program was developed and presenters were arranged. The first all-day conference was held at Acalanes High School in February of 2012 before a group of nearly 100 educators from throughout Contra Costa County. Dr. Harris gave the keynote address on responses to school violence. Congressman George Miller attended the event and gave an impassioned speech, encouraging the attendees and committee members to continue with their work on the program.
The responses to the conference were only positive. The resulting enthusiasm led the group to immediately begin planning for a second conference, expanding it to include presenters who could address the concerns of educators of younger children as well as middle and high school age students.
Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek was the site of the second conference in February of 2013 with nearly 130 in attendance. Dr. Ron Claassen from Fresno Pacific University was the keynoter and the conference theme, "Restorative Justice".
Seven Hills School hosted again on February 1st, 2014 when the keynote speaker was Dr. Victor Rios, a Sociology professor and motivational speaker originally from Oakland, now at UC Santa Barbara. Additional breakout sessions were added to accommodate the additional registrants with the theme being "The Multicultural Classroom". It was standing-room only at the keynote address.
The 4th conference took place on February 7th, 2015 at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill with the topic "Pursuing Equity and Access". Toni Antoinette Johns, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker and 16 breakout sessions were presented. Students were invited to participate as well as educators. Culinary students from Mt. Diablo High School provided a delicious lunch.
The 5th conference took place on Saturday, January 30th, 2016 at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. The theme: "Creating a Peaceful School: School Climate, Classroom Community and Student Voice". Fania Davis, J.D., Ph.D. Executive Director of RJOY (Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth) was the keynote speaker. Feedback from attendees was very positive and we had an even greater percentage of students participating. For more information on these events please go to the "Past Events" menu tab.
The 6th conference took place on Saturday, February 4th, once again at Northgate High School. This year the theme was "Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion", a daylong opportunity to explore how we can use our school and classroom practices to support students and their needs, rather than send them home or expel them from our schools. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Arash Daneshzadeh of University of San Francisco gave a fascinating talk and breakout session.
On February 9, 2019, we held our 7th conference, this time at the idyllic Springstone School in Lafayette. The theme was "Building Bridges Not Walls" and the keynote speaker, Lauren Markham, the author of "the Faraway Brothers" and a counselor at Oakland International High School who works directly with immigrant youth.
More information on these conferences including information on some of the presenters may be found under the "Resources" menus tab. Please share!
Harris teamed up with the Center's former Executive Director, Mary Alice O'Connor, who always had a passion to address these issues. She knew of members in the local community who were committed to the teaching of peace in the schools.
A committee was formed, a program was developed and presenters were arranged. The first all-day conference was held at Acalanes High School in February of 2012 before a group of nearly 100 educators from throughout Contra Costa County. Dr. Harris gave the keynote address on responses to school violence. Congressman George Miller attended the event and gave an impassioned speech, encouraging the attendees and committee members to continue with their work on the program.
The responses to the conference were only positive. The resulting enthusiasm led the group to immediately begin planning for a second conference, expanding it to include presenters who could address the concerns of educators of younger children as well as middle and high school age students.
Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek was the site of the second conference in February of 2013 with nearly 130 in attendance. Dr. Ron Claassen from Fresno Pacific University was the keynoter and the conference theme, "Restorative Justice".
Seven Hills School hosted again on February 1st, 2014 when the keynote speaker was Dr. Victor Rios, a Sociology professor and motivational speaker originally from Oakland, now at UC Santa Barbara. Additional breakout sessions were added to accommodate the additional registrants with the theme being "The Multicultural Classroom". It was standing-room only at the keynote address.
The 4th conference took place on February 7th, 2015 at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill with the topic "Pursuing Equity and Access". Toni Antoinette Johns, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker and 16 breakout sessions were presented. Students were invited to participate as well as educators. Culinary students from Mt. Diablo High School provided a delicious lunch.
The 5th conference took place on Saturday, January 30th, 2016 at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. The theme: "Creating a Peaceful School: School Climate, Classroom Community and Student Voice". Fania Davis, J.D., Ph.D. Executive Director of RJOY (Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth) was the keynote speaker. Feedback from attendees was very positive and we had an even greater percentage of students participating. For more information on these events please go to the "Past Events" menu tab.
The 6th conference took place on Saturday, February 4th, once again at Northgate High School. This year the theme was "Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion", a daylong opportunity to explore how we can use our school and classroom practices to support students and their needs, rather than send them home or expel them from our schools. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Arash Daneshzadeh of University of San Francisco gave a fascinating talk and breakout session.
On February 9, 2019, we held our 7th conference, this time at the idyllic Springstone School in Lafayette. The theme was "Building Bridges Not Walls" and the keynote speaker, Lauren Markham, the author of "the Faraway Brothers" and a counselor at Oakland International High School who works directly with immigrant youth.
More information on these conferences including information on some of the presenters may be found under the "Resources" menus tab. Please share!