Robin Wildman 5th grade teacher, South Kingstown Robin Wildman teaches fifth grade at the Wakefield Elementary School. Ms. Wildman completed coursework at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies and is a certified nonviolence trainer. She carries many of the lessons she learned at the Center over into her classroom. She teaches her students to accept the consequences of their actions and expects them to make wise choices.

She weaves the lessons of nonviolence into academics, such as teaching about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement in her American history class. Her overriding goal is for her students to learn to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. This, in turn, develops self-confidence and courage in the students

Her students conducted a research project on the lives of first peoples prior to the European arrival. As part of the project, the students wrote “Peace Books” which contained poems, interviews, and drawings that illustrated their research. One of the poems began, “In the end, there’s only one nation” while another noted that “It doesn’t matter…we are all the same.” The Peace Books were bound and each student received a free copy from the publishing company with the option to purchase additional copies.

“When the study and practice of nonviolence is seen as the most important aspect of school, you actually have more time to teach because there are fewer disruptions. The initial investment pays back a million-fold.”

Recently, students in Mrs. Wildman’s class conducted an evening training in nonviolence for their parents and siblings. The training included role playing in which the parents took on the roles of the students and all involved learned new ways of addressing conflict. Mrs. Wildman says that when students learn to respond to conflict in nonviolent ways “it is very empowering because the kids stand up for themselves and seek adult intervention when necessary before any violence occurs.” Children are provided with courage and self-confidence and a clear understanding of the practical applications of nonviolence.

“Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of education.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.