Nonviolence Initiative

Faculty Training

This spring, the Wakefield School staff has been fortunate to be included in nonviolence training as part of a grant from the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island. Amy Leonard, the Center's youth coordinator, assisted by teacher Robin Wildman, are leading the two day sessions. During these sessions, staff is learning about the types and levels of conflict, the history of Dr. Martin Luther King's involvement with nonviolence strategies, the Principle of a Peaceful Community, and nonviolent conflict reconciliation skills. Wakefield School is the first school in Rhode Island to commit to having the entire staff and student population trained in nonviolence philosophies and conflict reconciliation skills and will become a model for other schools in our state.

Four years ago, Robin Wildman (formerly Ms. Nelson!) and her students were instructed in the history and philosophy of nonviolence by Dr. Bernard LaFayette, scholar-in-residence at the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at URI. In the 1960s, Dr. LaFayette, as a college student, joined forces with Dr. King to help eliminate segregation and Jim Crow laws in the South. Since then, Mrs. Wildman has continued to train her students and has discovered the wonderful effects nonviolence training has had. For example, Mrs. Wildman's students are able to use alternative nonviolent solutions to solve conflicts, have higher self-esteem and confidence, and work to form a Peaceful Community at Wakefield School.

By training all staff members this spring, our school goal is to foster the ideal of the Peaceful Community through nonviolent conflict resolution. Teachers will continue their training in the fall and will also be teaching all students in grades K-5 about the Principles of the Peaceful Community and Skills for conflict reconciliation.

In addition to the training, Wakefield School is one of many links throughout the state to the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. As a "link" we will be in contact with other organizations and individuals who also believe in the ideals of the Peaceful Community, where all conflicts are solved nonviolently. We have already been linked with the Women's Resource Center, and will also be linked with the student mentor program at URI. Trained college students will be present at Wakefield School, beginning in the fall, to assist children with conflict resolution. We will continue to strive towards forming the Peaceful Community at Wakefield School and hope that you will join in partnership with us!

If you are interested in learning more about Kingian nonviolence, look for flyers in the fall about the 4 session parent training course that will begin the end of September, or contact Robin Wildman at Wakefield School.