Recently more emphasis has been placed on the need for "character
education" in our society. Even President Clinton has vowed to make this a
priority in his administration. Yet, when people are asked to describe what this term
means, many are hard pressed to give a definition that truly captures its entire essence.
For those students who have been fortunate to have our lives touched by Peace
Patrol, understanding the definition of character education is not a challenge. Our
deeply internalized experiences with Peace Patrol have already adequately prepared us to
define, understand and convey the true meaning of character education. As graduates of
Peace Patrol, we know that "we teach by what we are," and we have long
realized that education is for learning how to live, not for just earning a living. We are
also convinced that the aim of education needs to be on learning to live for the benefit
of all, which is what living really means.
This is basically what the Peace Patrol is all about. It is also what "character
education" is trying to capture, define, and recreate. Peace Patrol begins with
helping us to build our self-worth and enhances our sense of self-esteem. Then it teaches
us the magic of cooperation and empowers us with specific "communication skills
and problem solving strategies that enable us to better resolve conflicts whether they be
within ourselves or with others." But Peace Patrol does not stop there. The "circle
of peace" also helps us reach far beyond our schools. We take these skills home
to our parents, siblings, friends and into the community to make our world a better place.
Let me give you an example. I have a six year old brother named Zachary.
He is in first grade. He already sees himself as a peacemaker. To illustrate, let me share
with you something that happened early on in his kindergarten year. He came home one day
telling us about a friend who was hitting another friend. He approached the boy and said, "Hey,
even if you are mad, you don’t have to hit him. That’s not right. It’s OK
to tell him why you are mad though." Zach knows about my involvement in Peace
Patrol and, and he had already created a dream of being involved with Peace Patrol as he
grows older. He also looks forward to the Peace Patrol awards ceremony every month. He
enjoys seeing friends he knows get recognition for being a peace maker. He proudly
displays his Super Citizen Peace Maker certificate on the refrigerator for "being
a good friend," and continues to maintain his feeling of empowerment by showing
that he knows what it means to be a good friend by supporting right action. His identity
with Peace Patrol and with me reaches even farther than that though. He knows Peace Patrol
supports community involvement, and he helps to feed the homeless along with me and my
parents twice a month.
My brother and I know we may not have a direct impact on world peace
processes. At least not yet. After all he is only six, and I am just 15 years old.
However, I firmly believe that where ever we are, whatever our difficulties, we have the
capacity to reach deep into our hearts and practice using what Gandhi called our "soul
force." He, like Martin Luther King, Jr., believed that "the force of
goodness in any soul would have a powerful effect on others."
I also believe that most kids today need help in learning how to use
their "soul force." I know, without a doubt that the Peace Patrol
provides kids with the tools they need to put skills into practice that can empower them
to face life’s difficulties, confront their own personal fears, and make a real
difference in their lives as well as the lives of those around them. Translated into
everyday language, the Peace Patrol is an unparalleled vehicle that provides kids with an
awareness that they truly do have choices. Every time someone calls us names, refuses to
cooperate, or says harmful things about us, we are challenged to draw on our courage, use
our "soul force," and consider our choices. The Peace Patrol has taught
countless kids how to create character education in their lives and the lives of others,
not just by doling out advice but by deciding and by doing. We know that we are the
leaders of tomorrow but that our training begins today. Through the Peace Patrol we have
learned to knock on opportunity’s door instead of passively waiting for it to open.
We know we can do something to make a difference in this world we call home. We know that
what we undertake we can accomplish. I firmly believe that, for the most part, all of us
have the ability to look at something and to know whether or not we can do it. However,
there are some of some students who have not been afforded the opportunity to be blessed
with such a powerful vehicle as Peace Patrol.
Josh Pesavento
August 18, 1997
I wish the depth of commitment I experienced in meeting Josh could be
claimed as a result of viewing 1WOW. While we can introduce concepts to large numbers of
students, commitment is grown and nurtured over time. Peace Patrol is an excellent
example of the peer mediation/ conflict resolution programs that are already in place
across the nation. We are changing our tour schedule to build partnerships with these
programs, to give them a boost by spreading their concepts to more students, and to learn
ways to make our own one-day program more effective.
This August I attended a two day training for teachers, hosted by Peace
Patrol. The keynote speech was delivered by Josh Pesavento. I asked permission to post his
words here and believe you can use his words to be inspired to action in supporting our
world by bringing Peace Patrol and One World, Our World to your community's schools.
Rudy Sovinee, Exec. Director