A Lesson in Peace

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- How might a group of American high school social studies teachers help prevent future conflict in the Balkans? A select group of teachers from around the nation has gathered in the nation's capital to examine how to broaden student interest in foreign affairs. They are being equipped with the tools to help prepare students in high schools across America to develop analytical skills about peacemaking and international conflict resolution.

For one week each summer, a group of 25-30 high school social studies teachers take time off from their busy summer vacations to gather in Washington D.C. and examine the dynamics of international conflict management in the post-Cold War era. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers allows teachers from across the country to step out of their classrooms and discuss strategies of how to encourage students to take an active interest in foreign affairs and conflict resolution.

Throughout the week the teachers are attending a series of seminars designed to better enhance both their substantive expertise and teaching skills in complicated subjects such as international peace, security and conflict management. Summer Institute participants discuss current issues in international peace studies with leading foreign policy experts from a variety of public, private and non-governmental organizations such as the International Red Cross [1], Catholic Relief Services [2], and the U.S. Agency for International Development [3]. Held over the week of August 7th, activities for this year's participants will also include a teaching exercise on the role of Jerusalem in the Middle East peace process and a foreign policy simulation examining current conflict in Rwanda.

In one of the week's highlights, the teachers at the end of the week will participate in a special roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill on the growing importance of global studies in American education. Facilitated by the Council for Basic Education's Karen Collias, the colloquy will examine the challenges and importance of teaching foreign affairs issues at the high school level.

[4]
Principal Aaron J. Trummer from Mahopac, New York
illustrates a point during the roundtable on Capitol Hill.

Now in its ninth year, the Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers is part of the Institute's Education Program. This program conducts seminars and meetings throughout the year on conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation to both educators and foreign policy makers. Finalists chosen to attend the Summer Institute are selected through a rigorous application process including a peer review by teachers who have attended previous Institutes. Applications for the 2001 Summer Institute are scheduled to be available this September.

2000 Summer Institute for Secondary School Social Studies Teachers Participants

Mr. Sufian Abu-Rmaileh
Northridge High School
Layton, Utah

Mr. Craig Blanchard
Oxford Hills High School
South Paris, Maine

Mr. John Brierley
Venice High School
Los Angeles, California

Ms. Michele Carlson
Kelly High School
Chicago, Illinois

Ms. Jenne Harlin
Northwestern Lehigh High School
New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

Ms. Elizabeth T. Harris
Churchland High School
Portsmouth, Virginia

Mr. Theisen Healey
Walter Johnson High School
Bethesda, Maryland

Mr. Gary A. Hoog
Allan D. Nease High School
St. Augustine, Florida

Mr. Robert A. Jeffrey
Grinnell High School
Grinnell, Iowa

Ms. Adrea Lawrence
Heritage High School
Littleton, Colorado

Ms. Virginia Lindemann
Conifer High School
Conifer, Colorado

Ms. Bernadette May
New Atlanta Jewish Community High School
Dunwoody, Georgia

Ms. Jan McDonald
North Scott High School
Eldridge, Iowa

Ms. Angela Miller
Benjamin Banneker Academy
Brooklyn, New York

Brother Ernest Miller, FSC
La Salle College High School
Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania

Ms. Deborah Parizek
Henry Ford Academy
Dearborn, Michigan

Ms. Phylllis R. Parker
Rockbridge County High School
Lexington, Virginia

Mr. Gerald T. Peden
Cape Henlopen High School
Lewes, Delaware

Mr. Jeremy Ritzer
Issaquah High School
Issaquah, Washington

Mr. David G. Rudd
St. James School
Montgomery, Alabama

Ms. Renee Serrao
Manchester High School
Midlothian, Virginia

Ms. Mary Harriet Talbut
Woodland R-IV High School
Marble Hill, Missouri

Ms. Rebecca Taylor
North Eugene High School
Eugene, Oregon

Ms. Karen Waples
Cherry Creek High School
Englewood, Colorado

Ms. Jennifer Wolfe
Oceanside High School
Oceanside, New York

Observer
Mr. Aaron J. Trummer - Principal
Mahopac High School
Mahopac, New York

 

The U.S. Institute of Peace is a non-partisan, independent organization created and funded by the U.S. Congress to promote prevention and resolution of international conflicts.