THE TEACHING PEACE CONFERENCE

Environmental Peace:  

New Hampshire State Representative Emma Rous, formerly of Oyster River High School, is the author of the Literature and the Land, a guide for developing ecological literary in young people.  Emma facilitates discussion aimed at exploring practical ways educators support students in exploring daily life to gain awareness of what is positive and in harmony with our planets’ natural systems and what is not. The participatory workshop emphasized interdisciplinary and intergenerational approaches.  The workshop offered a framework upon which lessons from any content area can develop a movement in the direction of a more positive and peaceful future for our planet.  Emma Rous serves on the environmental and education standing committees in the State Legislature.  

Personal Peace  

The Classroom and Personal Peace:  In a session titled, "Do Emotions Belong in 21st Century Classrooms and How Does Personal Peace Find Its Way?" participants addressed how acting or not acting on emotions affect the attainment of personal peace, and explored what constitutes personal peace and what happens when we are not there.  The session was presented by Erika M. Hunter, a social worker and clinician for fifteen years in Maine and New Hampshire. She is the author of a recent book put out by Hazelden, Little Book of BIG Emotions. She is also a jazz pianist and vocalist playing music throughout Maine and New Hampshire. She believes that recognizing, taking responsibility for, and releasing the energy of the emotions, as well as actively participating in creativity, are primary to human development that is healthy, individual, and ultimately harmonious for the Self and the community.

Teaching Peace

Conference co-organizer Kay Morgan offered an interactive workshop where participants shared ideas and lesson plans to create a unit or a course which focuses on teaching peace as a positive construct. Participants were invited to bring their own lesson plan ideas, tried and true, or in the fledgling stage, for sharing and discussion. Finally, participants considered problems and strategies for implementing a peace curriculum in their school.

 Kay Morgan teaches English and Peace Studies at Oyster River High School. She is the recipient of the Treat Award for Excellence in the Teaching of the Humanities and was the Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical Fellow in 2002/03. She is the Director of the New Hampshire Project.

Participants Steve and Diane Brandon on the left and Phyllis Ring in center listen to a poetry reading.