UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Ōishi, Michiko
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Degree:
M. Ed.
Abstract:
This thesis is about my journey to find an authentic way of peace-making as an educator. I will examine· my own life experiences and employ Scholarly Personal Narrative methodology to tell about my unfinished pilgrimage as a peace educator. I will start by examining the origin of my passion for creating peace in the world. First, I will explore the influence of World War II on Japanese people and my family. Then I will talk about Japanese religions; Shintoism, Zen Buddhism and what I believe. I will talk about the Japanese contemplative arts I practice as ways to create inner peace. I will also examine what peace and peace education mean to me.
On the pages that follow I will examine the peace-making wisdom I gained along the way. My formative 17 years were devoted to "Freedom School" education in Tokyo. This specialized education focused on creating world harmony. In my 20's and early 30's, I worked with refugees in Thailand and Laos. I gained insights from refugees about how they found peace even in their difficult lives. During that time, I got married and became a mother, which changed my life.
I moved to Vermont in my mid-life, and fmding my work-life-academic balance as an immigrant in a rural state has been the focus for me here. I have been observing it through a cultural anthropologist's eye, mentally living in two worlds, contemplating about settling in a home and being a committed peacemaker in a larger world. During this period I have also explored finding my voice as a poet. My various educational experiences in Vermont have been providing me with insights for creating a culture of peace as well. My pilgrimage is unfinished. I hope that sharing my journey here will be inspirational for readers in finding their own authentic ways of peace-making in their worlds. That is my goal as an educator.
On the pages that follow I will examine the peace-making wisdom I gained along the way. My formative 17 years were devoted to "Freedom School" education in Tokyo. This specialized education focused on creating world harmony. In my 20's and early 30's, I worked with refugees in Thailand and Laos. I gained insights from refugees about how they found peace even in their difficult lives. During that time, I got married and became a mother, which changed my life.
I moved to Vermont in my mid-life, and fmding my work-life-academic balance as an immigrant in a rural state has been the focus for me here. I have been observing it through a cultural anthropologist's eye, mentally living in two worlds, contemplating about settling in a home and being a committed peacemaker in a larger world. During this period I have also explored finding my voice as a poet. My various educational experiences in Vermont have been providing me with insights for creating a culture of peace as well. My pilgrimage is unfinished. I hope that sharing my journey here will be inspirational for readers in finding their own authentic ways of peace-making in their worlds. That is my goal as an educator.