Eileen Gale Kugler's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

Our schools and neighborhoods are enriched by the diversity of people, perspective, and skills. If we don't focus on how to live together in peace, unfortunately conflict becomes the default.

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

I am an author, speaker and trainer working to strengthen multicultural schools and communities. I learned about the unique strengths of diverse schools as a parent leader in a school near Washington, D.C. facing rapid demographic change. Working to combat the negative myths about the school, stemming solely from its diversity, I volunteered with the principal, teachers, other parents, using my professional skills as a journalist and communications consultant to reach out to the community. It was incredibly gratifying to see the school regain its community support and earn both national and international praise.

Today, I speak and write about the unique benefits that diversity brings to our schools and neighborhoods. My book, "Debunking the Middle-Class Myth: Why Diverse Schools Are Good for All Kids," earned several national awards and is available in countries around the world.

I am a strong believer in the power of interfaith and intercultural dialogue as a path to peace as well as to personal growth. As an American Jew, I’ve been involved with dialogues including Christians and Muslim for years.

My husband, daughter and I volunteer in an elementary school in a rural area on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. My husband and daughter are literacy specialists who are bringing new research-based teaching strategies to the committed and caring teachers at A.V. Bukani Primary. I am working with the faculty and parent leaders on a project to involve the township families in the school in support of their children’s education. The township families will come together at the school to create a quilt, with each family depicting their hopes and dreams for their children on a quilt square. As the families sew the quilt together, they will also connect their lives to each other and the school. During the sessions, school officials will dialogue with the families about their interests, their concerns, and their dreams for their children. The families can become stronger advocates for their children and the school will benefit from the families’ insights. The project is based on “Tellin’ Stories” from Teaching for Change (www.TeachingforChange.org)

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

USA, South Africa

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

USA

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Embrace Diverse Schools - strengthening diverse schools and communities

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://www.EmbraceDiverseSchools.com

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.tolerance.org

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Culture, Dialogue, Education

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Advocacy, Communication, Evaluation, Training

What are some of your current areas of research (if any)?

Engaging families of refugee and immigrant students in school to help support their children's mental health, and thus support the students' academic achievement.

If appropriate feel free to list several of your (or your organization's) publications

"Debunking the Middle-class Myth: why diverse schools are good for all kids," Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2002
"Gaining Far More Than What is Given," National Education Association http://www.neamb.com/home/1217_2746.htm
"Partnering with Parents and Families to Support Immigrant and Refugee Children at School" http://www.healthinschools.org/Immigrant-and-Refugee-Children/~/med...