High school educators Amy Cameron of Grandview, MO; Vince Facione of Tulsa, OK; Ezra Shearer of Missoula, MT; and Maria Zelaya of Gainesville, FL, had spent the last school year working closely with USIP’s Public Education team to engage their students on today’s pressing challenges in international conflict management and peacebuilding, using USIP resources to bring key concepts and skills to life in their classrooms. 

On July 9-10, three of these four 2017 Peace Teachers gathered at USIP to reflect upon their experiences and share their learning. They participated in debrief sessions, met USIP leadership as well as staff from the Institute’s country and thematic programs, and received a Special Award from USIP’s President Nancy Lindborg. They also visited the offices of their Members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and, on the final morning, the teachers presented their reflections, stories, and impact at a standing-room only public event, titled “A Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher: Stories from the American Classroom,” which drew a broad audience from across the international relations and peacebuilding fields and was covered by the media outlet Education Week.

USIP would like to congratulate Ms. Cameron, Mr. Facione, Mr. Shearer, and Ms. Zelaya for completing the Peace Teachers Program and thank them for their dedication to teaching the next generation that peace is possible, practical, and essential.

For More Information

Watch “A Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher: Stories from the American Classroom,” to learn how USIP’s 2017 Peace Teachers advanced their students’ understanding of conflict and the possibilities of peace in ways that aligned with their existing curriculum.

Read “Using Lessons From Global Conflict, These Teachers Broker Peace in Their Communities,” Education Week’s coverage of “A Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher.”

Listen to teacher Ezra Shearer’s interview about his experiences in the Peace Teachers Program on SiriusXM’s POTUS Ch. 124.

Learn more about USIP’s Peace Teachers Program.