I learned about the Season of Peace and Nonviolence while participating in the Mahatma Ghandi Summer Institute in the summer 2014. If you have not heard about this institute yet, you should look into. I loved it so much I took another course at the institute this past summer. Hands down, these courses have been the most valuable ones I have taken through my Masters program. My friend and colleague Julie Smith mentioned that someone had told her it was a life changing experience. At the time, I thought she must be losing it. I was more attracted to the promise of 3 credits at the end of the intensive 2 week course to be honest. However, there is no doubt I am forever changed as an educator as a result of this institute. It made me refocus my attention on the hidden curriculum in classrooms and schools. You see as a teacher I don’t just teach subjects and content, I teach kids!
What is the Season of Peace and Nonviolence?
The Gandhi King Season for Nonviolence commences on January 30 and marks the 64 calendar days between the memorial anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4.
The objective is to create an awareness of nonviolent principles and practice as a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and communities. It is, therefore, the purpose of the Season and the 64 Daily Practices to educate and inspire individuals and organizations alike to actively seek out nonviolent means by which to empower themselves and others to co-exist in peace and prosper together in community.
Season of Peace and Nonviolence EDU Project
As a part of my final project, I decided to start the #S4PNVedu project to encourage classrooms & schools to shine a light on the things they see or do to move towards peace and nonviolence in their school communities. Each day during the Season of Peace and Nonviolence (Jan. 30- Apr. 4), I will share the day’s theme and resources using Twitter & Instagram using the hashtag #S4PNVedu. I invite you to share what your class or school is doing or seeing for the day’s theme. What you share is up to you. You could post a photo, video, blog post, link to a book, the possibilities are endless. No need to participate all 64 days but join in when you can! The Season of Peace and Nonviolence and it’s themes is one way for me to get back to what I really want students to learn at the end of the day. For me that isn’t content, it is really about them learning to be kind, empathetic, good people in their communities.
See http://seasonforpeaceandnonviolenceedu.weebly.com/ for more information!
Search the hashtag #S4PNVedu to see the day’s themes and resources!