The Peace Teachers Program is rooted in the conviction that educators can be pivotal in bringing issues of international conflict and practical peacebuilding skills into their classrooms, schools and communities. Each school year, USIP selects a cohort of outstanding American middle and high school teachers from different U.S. states to receive education, resources and support to strengthen their teaching of international conflict and peace. Given the disruptions of the COVID pandemic, the 2019 cohort was extended — and the teachers persisted, despite the difficult context, in providing their students with opportunities to explore new perspectives, make global connections and develop critical skills to help them navigate a changed world. 

On July 8, USIP hosted the 2019-2021 Peace Teachers as they shared their experiences, insights and strategies for engaging new generations in peacebuilding based on their time in the program — including how their own approaches to teaching conflict and peace evolved during this tumultuous period.

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #USIPPeaceTeachers.

Speakers

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Jill Armstrong
Greenup County High School, Greenup, KY

Sarah Campbell
Ketchikan High School, Ketchikan, AK

Katrina Gotschall
O’Neill High School, O’Neill, NE

Emily Philpott
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS

Megan Chabalowski
Senior Outreach Officer, Public Education, U.S. Institute of Peace

Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, moderator
Novelist, Short Story Writer and Journalist; Member, International Advisory Council, U.S. Institute of Peace