The Peace Pad was envisioned in partnership with Dr. Carey Seeley.
Julie and Carey are co-authors of Empowering Peace and Justice Education: An Actionable Framework for Elementary Educators and Learners.
Dr. Carey Seeley Dzierzak
I am a compassionate educator focused on bringing peace education resources, lessons and strategies to schools across the world. I have been involved in education for over twenty years working in diverse settings. I have been a Reading Recovery teacher, first grade teacher, literacy coach, instructional coach and leader, Elementary Curriculum Director, Assistant Principal and a Principal. Through these various roles, I have remained committed to culturally relevant peace education and strong literacy instruction.
As a principal, I have been committed to creating an inclusive peace-centered environment with my K-5 educational community. As a building, we are working collaboratively to make connections to the peace actions and social emotional learning focus areas. We use restorative practice approaches to support school climate and conflict resolution.
In addition to my peace education work, I have been a long-time Executive Board Member and past president of the MN Reading Association. One of my greatest joys in serving on this board is our Celebrate Literacy event, where we honor student writing and help students really “see themselves as writers.” I have been a co-chair of First Congregational Church’s racial justice team for the past three years. We have supported many issues in the Twin Cities, Anishinabe Academy; Black Men Teach and pushing ourselves to learn and grow on our own racial justice journeys.
In my personal life, I’m a busy parent with my husband of twenty years, Lou Dzierzak, who is also a writer. We have four amazing children, many fur babies and keep busy and engaged in our community!
My original mentors for peace education are my loving parents, Jane and Bill Seeley. My work in peace education is dedicated to their love and encouragement. My Dad was in the Peace Corps in Bangalore, India in the sixties where he met my brother Krishna Seeley. He was also an attorney and a professor at the Carlson School of Management, University of MN. My Mom, Jane was a Freedom Rider, part of the Gray Panthers, my Girl Scout troop leader, dedicated social service champion and an all around wonderful human being. My parents have both passed away, but would love to see me continuing peace education work.
Best ways to seek peace in myself…
Starting and ending my day with a guided meditation
Going for walks either on my own or with a close friend
Listening to my inner self–what do I need?
Taking a breath or taking time for movement
Seeking peace with others…
Let’s be real, it depends on the situation…
Sometimes it’s just listening
Sometimes it’s offering support
Sometimes it’s offering ideas
As an educator and a principal, I find myself as a mediator often.
There isn’t one way to mediate, it depends if it’s with kindergartners, fourth graders or even among adults.
Having grace for myself and others is important
My Mom, who was nonverbal at the end of her life (Alzheimers) taught me that sometimes just holding space is an act of love and compassion.
Dr. Carey Seeley resides on the traditional, ancestral and contemporary land of the Dakota - Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Dakota MN is Mni Sota Makoce, Land where the waters reflect the skies or clouds. Mni means water; Sota means clear, but not perfectly so, cloudy. Makoce means a place, land or country.
