 May/Summer 2001 (XXXIX 3) |
n response to the needs of an inner city school, Woodstown Meeting (NJ) hired the Nonviolence and Children Working Group of Yearly Meeting to provide conflict resolution training for teaches and other interested staff at H.B. Wilson Elementary School in Camden, New Jersey. The experience was deeply rewarding for all involved.
For two days, Nonviolence and Children facilitators and Wilson Elementary School staff worked together to develop a framework for thinking about feelings, conflict and conflict resolution . Using experiential activities, demonstrations, role-playing, and small group problem solving and sharing activities, the training focused on such topics as the handling of anger, the development of listening skills, empathy, and specific conflict resolution techniques.
Teachers’ responses to the training were positive and enthusiastic. As one participant said at the end of the workshop, “Thank you for reminding me that I can make a real difference in children’s lives. I needed that.” We all need to remember that reaching for the best in children nourishes both ourselves and the children we teach.
Betsy Berger
Central Philadelphia Meeting
Nonviolence and Children Working Group
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM