An educator and conflict resolution expert shares her vision for implementing formal conflict resolution curricula in schools to foster healthy communication, empathy, and de-escalation skills among students, parents, and administrators.
Her Story
About Deborah
I am currently a middle school ELA (English and Language Arts) teacher, working with 8th graders in my first year in education. Before transitioning to teaching, I spent over 25 years in the corporate world focused on international development. I worked within a UN organization on formal conflict and dispute resolution, where I was part of the Appeals Committee, similar to the U.S. Appellate court system. We heard staff grievances dealing with issues of harassment, discrimination, and benefits. Prior to that work, I spent time in the Africa region and the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Northern Africa regions, working with conflict and post-conflict countries on education issues. I had the privilege of working with people from 189 different countries, which helped me become much more sensitive to the needs of the world as a whole, not just my little corner of the world. I am the daughter and granddaughter of educators, and I was inspired by all the teachers in my family who are doing phenomenal work. I decided I wanted to teach because I have an interest in investing in the future, and investing in children means investing in the future. I wanted to do work that would benefit domestic education. Beyond teaching, I am also a children's book author with two published books and a third in progress. My first book and accompanying workbook focus on the diverse universe, dealing with conflict, how we relate to change and differences, and how to view the world in a more positive light. The workbook includes components for parents, students, and STEM exercises. My third book is about giving children a voice on peace, inviting them to draw pictures, color, or write poems that I compile into a book. Teaching is very rewarding because at least one child in my classroom is going to walk away with something that will stick with them for the remainder of their lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I am a woman of faith. I believe in perseverance, focused prayer, I also realize the importance of creating substantive legacy. My life impacts others. When I think about what I would like for my story to be,
I recall a quote that I once heard, "live your life doing things that will long outlast you" - contributing to the future, showing others how to be persistent, and the empowerment of keeping on keeping in, motivate me each day.
I also attribute my success to two wonderful parents who expected the best, exhibited the best, and who always practiced excellence in service. My late mother was an old school educator who taught school thirty-seven years; she was riven by her pursuit of excellence, of which she passed down to me and my brother.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I have ever received came from my parents. The advice was to always find that thing that I like to do and do it well, be willing to ethically go the extra mile, and always remember to smile, even in the midst of a challenging day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Know yourself. Know who you are, what makes you happy, and what you have to offer. Be prepared to embrace the word perseverance. A lot of young people say this isn't happening fast enough, and I think we're all guilty of that, but as you get older, you grow wiser, and you really embrace the fact that things don't always happen overnight. Have a game plan, but when you put that game plan together, be sure that it's realistic. You're not going to step into fame or fortune immediately. Keep in mind there is a bigger picture, but if you're doing it just for fame and fortune, in the long run, and maybe the not-so-long run, it just won't be as rewarding. Let what you do reflect who you are, what your true gifts and talents are. Know yourself. That's really important getting into today's work world. I think you have to know who you are first, and then you have to find a way to kind of be creative in the job market as well. Maybe you don't find a traditional job, but maybe you can do your own thing. It's just really imperative to know who you are, because knowing who you are, instead of going with what's hot today, that's where you're going to find yourself for the long term. We all want financial comfort and self-worth, but that's where you're going to make the most money, whatever you like, you enjoy. And whatever you enjoy, you can find a way to make ethically and legitimately money.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the field of education, like any other career field, is budget cuts and retention of committed staff (the kind of go hand in hand).
I also write and publish children's books. Since I am not strong with self-publishing, I have an editor, who is beyond excellent but I also have to pay her for her expertise and that can get expense, thereby limiting the number
of books that I write and publish.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value family time. If I am there for my family, they will be there for me. I value time to enjoy cool crisp windy days, a walk in the park, enjoying watching the waves in the ocean. I value "me" time and at this point in my life,
flexibility in everything that I do. I also value good health.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Deborah
Save Our Public Schools: Advocate for Formal Conflict Solutions
Building a Foundation for Peaceful Schools Through Formal Conflict Resolution Education
As a middle school teacher and trained conflict resolution practitioner, I recognize the many factors that contribute to conflict in 21st-century education. This makes it essential to develop a formal conflict resolution initiative for students, parents, and administrators. I have consistently advocated at the state, local, and national levels for a formal conflict resolution curriculum to help reduce conflict in public schools. A curriculum that teaches effective communication, empathy, and de-escalation is important not only for addressing interpersonal conflict but also for helping resolve institutional challenges.
Teachers must constantly balance classroom demands with personal responsibilities while also identifying the causes of conflict and implementing positive, creative strategies for resolution.
What does a formal conflict resolution curriculum look like? It should be designed to be age- and grade-appropriate while teaching healthy self-awareness, self-esteem, and communication skills.
Because such a program depends on support from parents, administrators, and the community, I advocate for inclusive modules that engage everyone as part of the effort.
I have created and received a copyright for a formal conflict resolution program, Students for Non-Violent Interaction. Through Students for Non-Violent Interaction, I have published both a book and an accompanying activity book, The Diverse Universe, as the beginning of this journey. I am currently working on another book within the Diverse Universe series that will give children a broader voice and embrace their conceptualization of what a world looks like when there is a positive guide to how we manage conflict and differences.
My Diverse Universe series has recently been nominated for an International Impact Award for Books.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Maryland
Director
Baltimore
Dean of the School of Education
Baltimore
Outreach Coordinator/Freelance Writer
Bowie
Natural Health Consultant
Columbia
Coach
Lusby
HR Consultant/Certified Coach
Upper Marlboro
Executive Director of Court Watch Montgomery/ CEO & Founder of A Cultured Business
Silver Springs
Veteran Advocate, Author, Business Owner, Founder & CEO
Waldorf
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.