AUGUSTA, MAINE | Six Maine Seeds and 18 educators from six different schools across Maine met at Cony High School on September 19 for a day-long seminar about Seeds of Peace programs in the state.
The goals of the seminar were to help Maine educators strengthen their conflict transformation and dialogue skills, and to provide them with a deeper understanding of Seeds of Peace’s work. The educators can then act as adult allies to the Seeds in their schools, helping advocate for them in their efforts to create positive change.
“I walked away with a stronger knowledge of Seeds of Peace and a more thorough understanding of how I, as an educator, can be supportive of Seeds in her school,” said Sister Edward Mary, Principal Emerita at Catherine McAuley High School in Portland.
The Maine Seeds who participated in the seminar workshops were also happy to see their teachers attend the event and offer support to their efforts to bring positive change to their schools and communities.
The seminar included Q&A session facilitated by Maine Programs Director Tim Wilson and Seeds of Peace Educators Program Director Daniel Moses, and panel discussions by both Maine Seeds and Educators. Seeds of Peace Educator Deborah Bicknell facilitated various skill-building activities such as conflict transformation, nonviolent communication, and tools for deep listening.
Maine Seeds prepared a special lunch to the participants, with dished representing their cultures. Following lunch, a panel of Maine Seeds shared their experiences of Seeds of Peace programming, both and Camp and beyond, and the leadership opportunities it provides. The Seeds then led small group discussions on various topics, including the economics of education, standards-based education reform, and English as a Learning Language.
The Seeds then closed the day with a dialogue on race.
MAINE EDUCATORS SEMINAR