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National PeaceBuilder |
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| As our way of honoring PeaceBuilders who go beyond all expectations, PeacePartners, Inc. recognizes several
“National PeaceBuilders” throughout the year. These exceptional people work unselfishly to
build peace in their homes, in their schools and in their communities; and in so doing they make the world a
better place for all of us. Join us in celebrating each and every one of them for their contributions in creating
safer, more peaceful learning environments. |
June 2009 |
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| PeaceBuilder of the Month - Patty Aho Mendoza, Counselor at Hopwood Junior High School |
Patty Aho Mendoza knows that building peace in a middle or junior high school setting requires commitment and perseverance. Teens represent a challenging mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. They do not automatically accept our purpose or our plans as they did in elementary school. Sometimes, teens need to be convinced.
Patty is a persuasive PeaceBuilder, though. She has been modeling and coaching teens on the principles of PeaceBuilders at Hopwood JHS on the beautiful island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands since 2004. She says she is "hooked" and that PeaceBuilders "supplies the common language and expectations that a positive behavior support school should have."
Hopwood JHS enjoys a very diverse population, and PeaceBuilders, according to Patty, "helps to foster peace and inclusive behaviors that promote a culturally compatible school campus community."
Enthusiasm is persuasive. Persistence is convincing. In regards to PeaceBuilders, Patty Mendoza has both in abundance, and the young people at her school have responded very positively. They build peace by accepting and appreciating each other's differences and by finding concrete ways to practice the PeaceBuilders Principles-as they did when they raised money to provide schools and educational opportunities to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan during our PeaceBuilders Collect Pennies for Peace Campaign.
By giving the young people at Hopwood PeaceBuilding roles and responsibilities, Patty has ensured their willing participation. The student council helps to make decisions regarding what PeaceBuilders activities they will engage in and how they will do it. Rather than taking all their directions from adults, the students have a voice and they make PeaceBuilders meaningful.
For her steady, positive PeaceBuilding influence, we honor Patty Aho Mendoza as our PeaceBuilder of the Month. She is a role-model for her students and an inspiration to us all.
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