Annual Peaceable Schools and Communities Summer Institute

July 6 - July 10, 2009 Connecting Across Generations: Promoting Peaceable Schools and Communities Lesley University, Cambridge, MA

Through its process and content, the Peaceable Schools Institute has provided a context for creating and sustaining partnerships for change across lines of race, class, culture and gender. In 2009, the Institute’s focus on peace and social justice will also focus on creating and sustaining allies across generations.  In order to do this work, we need to identify the interpersonal and institutional resources and challenges that shape this work – especially in our current historical and political context.  Then we need to develop the skills and relationships that will help us succeed in this work.

We invite you to join the Peaceable Schools core faculty for engagement, reflection, and leadership for peace and social justice in our schools and our communities. The Institute supports educators [pre-K-12], youth workers, students, administrators and community activists in deepening their capacity to create healthy, peaceful and just learning and community environments.

The 2009 Institute will include a contingent of high school student members and staff of C5 New England* high school students working for social justice and community service.

The Peaceable Schools Institute is facilitated by a Core Faculty of diverse educators and community activists working collaboratively to create a unique and transformative learning experience. Core faculty members bring university, school (pre-K-12), community and international social justice experience working with children, youth, educators, community leaders and activists across lines of age, race, class, culture and gender.

Grounded in the Peaceable Schools and Communities holistic framework [pdf], the Institute models and offers approaches to peacemaking, inclusion, anti-oppression education, and community building.

For the second summer, the design of this Institute is structured to model collaborative/shared involvement with participants.

Participants build their own leadership and community at the Institute in the following ways:

Workshops

Small group workshops foster creative dialogue. Workshop topics explore different facets of leadership, peace-building and social justice work in schools and communities.
A sampling of previous Institute workshops include:

“Teaching the Language of Love While Educating for Peace"
"Gang Violence Prevention/Intervention: A Cross Cultural Perspective"
"Sharing Power with Students: Community Serving Projects as a Way to Promote a Peaceful Community"
"Appreciative Inquiry: A tool for planning and hope"
"Peace-making Circles for Restorative Justice and
"Friendship and Collegiality: A Cross–Race Dialogue"

Keynotes and Authentic Dialogue

Small group learning is complemented with dynamic and engaging keynotes by Core Faculty members designed to spark dialogue and engage participants in critical reflection.
Topics include:

"Diversity and Inclusion"
"Roots of Violence/Roots of Justice"
"Transformative Leadership" and
"Hope in Practice"

Cross-generational Application, Reflection & Connection (ARC) Groups

Facilitated by Core Faculty, daily ARC group meetings provide a consistent, small diverse community for reflection and dialogue. At the heart of the Institute, the ARC groups offer strategies for use in other settings, an opportunity for deeper exploration of the Institute materials in a diverse group as well as an experience of a facilitated circle process.

Community Circle

Each morning, Community Circle provides an opportunity for participants to share stories, traditions, and practices of peace-building, equity, and excellence. This has included in the past song, dance, poetry readings, and/or interpretive performances.

Open Space Technology

Open Space is a powerful process that offers participants the opportunity to organize discussion groups about topics about which they care most deeply with others who share their passions and curiosities.

Core Faculty

The Institute Core faculty is comprised of Moacir Barbosa, Linda Brion-Meisels, Steven Brion-Meisels, Ora Grodsky, Kristen Hendrick, Catherine Hoffman, Joyce Johnson-Shabazz, Ulric Johnson, Curtis Jones, Sharon Lozada, Tania Mireles, Jeremy Phillips, and Gina Wang. Core faculty members bring university, school (pre-K-12), community and international social justice experience working with children, youth, educators, community leaders and activists across lines of age, race, class, culture and gender.

Schedule

July 6-July 10. Monday 12- 5:30, Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30-5:30, Friday 8:30-1. View the full schedule online.

Cost

Non-credit tuition is $500 for the full Institute. (This does not include meals or lodging). Scholarships and team discounts are available.

Credit

All participants receive a Certificate of Completion that can be used for district and professional development requirements. Graduate credit is available (EEDUC 6810) with 12 additional contact hours built into the experience.

Registration

See the registration instructions or for more information, please contact Heather Olson at 617-349-8924 holson2@lesley.edu.

“The opportunity to work across generations in dealing with social justice has really extended my own thinking. I was invigorated and inspired.  Thanks for your hearts and minds.”

(* C5 New England, a program of Crossroads for Kids, is a 5-year leadership program for urban high school students in Eastern Massachusetts. C5 students and staff will attend the Institute as their week-long summer intensive exploring community service, community-building and decision-making. The C5 New England teens attending the institute will be starting their fifth year of programming, and will be seniors in high school in the Fall of 2009.)